How do I apply for SNAP?

Apply through your state's Department of Human Services — online, in person, or by phone. Approval for basic cases can happen in 30 days; expedited SNAP is available within 7 days for households in severe need. Bring ID, proof of income, rent/mortgage, and utilities.

Can I use a food bank without applying?

Yes. Most food banks and pantries don't require income verification, ID, or applications for initial visits. Feeding America's online locator (feedingamerica.org) finds nearby pantries by ZIP code. Most pantries let you visit once or twice a month.

Are custodial fathers eligible for WIC?

Yes. WIC covers custodial parents (including fathers and grandparents) of children under 5, and breastfeeding or postpartum mothers. It's commonly assumed to be mother-only — it isn't. Apply at your local WIC clinic. Income limit is 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.

What is summer food service?

USDA's Summer Food Service Program feeds children 18 and under during school breaks. No application required — kids just show up at a participating site (schools, parks, libraries). Text FOOD to 304-304 to find a nearby site, or call 211.

Food Assistance in Pennsylvania

17 verified resources.

About Food Assistance for Fathers

Food assistance programs for US fathers and families include SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps), WIC (Women, Infants, and Children — which serves custodial fathers of children under 5), the National School Lunch Program, food banks through the Feeding America network, and Meals on Wheels. SNAP is administered state-by-state; eligibility is generally based on household income below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level. Food banks operate in every state and are the fastest way to access food without an application — most require no ID or income verification for initial visits. TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) supplies food banks with USDA commodities. Summer Food Service Programs feed children during school breaks. This directory includes each state's SNAP office, regional food bank networks, and WIC clinics.

Food Assistance in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's Courts of Common Pleas handle family matters in each of its 60 judicial districts. The Pennsylvania Child Support Program operates through county domestic relations sections. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie, and Reading are the major metros. Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, Neighborhood Legal Services (Pittsburgh), and MidPenn Legal Services cover most of the state.

17 Resources

1. Philabundance — Free

The Delaware Valley's largest hunger relief organization, providing food to approximately 72,000 people weekly across 9 counties through 700+ partner pantries, soup kitchens, and food programs. Fathers and families in the Philadelphia region facing food insecurity can visit philabundance.org to find the nearest pantry or call 215-339-0900. No ID or documentation typically required at most partner distribution sites.

215-339-0900 · 3616 S Galloway St, Philadelphia, PA 19148 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

2. Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank — Free

Western Pennsylvania's largest hunger relief organization, distributing over 60 million meals annually through partner agencies serving 11 counties in the greater Pittsburgh region. Fathers and families facing food insecurity in western PA can visit pittsburghfoodbank.org or call to find the nearest food pantry or meal program in their county. Partner agencies include food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and community programs.

412-460-3663 · 1 N Linden St, Duquesne, PA 15110 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

3. Central Pennsylvania Food Bank — Free

Serves 27 counties across central Pennsylvania from its Harrisburg distribution center through a network of more than 1,000 partner agencies including food pantries, soup kitchens, and emergency shelters. Fathers facing food insecurity in central PA can visit centralpafoodbank.org to find the nearest partner pantry. Mobile food distributions also serve rural and underserved areas across the 27-county service region.

717-564-1700 · 3908 Corey Rd, Harrisburg, PA 17109 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

4. PA SNAP Program — Free

Pennsylvania's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides monthly food benefits on an EBT card to eligible low-income individuals and families. Fathers who are the primary caregiver or have custody of children may qualify regardless of gender. Apply online at compass.state.pa.us or at your local County Assistance Office. Bring proof of identity, income, and household expenses. Benefits are usually issued within 30 days of application.

1-800-692-7462 · Statewide — apply via COMPASS · Helpline Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:45pm · Visit Website

5. PA WIC Program — Free

Provides free nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and healthcare referrals for pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children up to age 5 who meet income guidelines. PA WIC is available through local WIC offices statewide. Fathers who are the primary caregiver for an infant or young child can apply if their child is under 5 and meets income limits. Call 1-800-WIC-WINS or visit pawic.com.

1-800-942-9467 · Statewide — call for local WIC office · Mon-Fri (call for appointment) · Visit Website

6. Share Food Program — Free

One of the largest food banks in the Philadelphia region, distributing over 23 million pounds of food annually through 700+ community distribution sites across the region. Share Food Program supplies partner pantries, shelters, and community organizations throughout southeastern Pennsylvania. Fathers and families experiencing food insecurity in the Philadelphia area can find the nearest distribution site at sharefoodprogram.org.

215-223-2220 · 2901 W Hunting Park Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19129 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website

7. Second Harvest Food Bank (Lehigh Valley & NE PA) — Free

Serves six counties in the Lehigh Valley and northeastern Pennsylvania distributing food through hundreds of local partner agencies including food pantries, shelters, and meal programs. Fathers and families facing food insecurity in the Allentown, Bethlehem, and northeastern PA areas can visit secondharvestlv.org to find the nearest food distribution site. Mobile pantries serve additional locations throughout the service region.

610-434-0875 · 6969 Silver Crest Rd, Nazareth, PA 18064 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

8. Feeding Pennsylvania — Free

Statewide association of Feeding America food banks coordinating hunger relief efforts across Pennsylvania and connecting residents with their nearest food bank. Visit feedingpa.org or call 211 to find the Feeding Pennsylvania member food bank serving your county. The network includes food banks in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Allentown, Scranton, and other regions, collectively distributing hundreds of millions of meals annually.

717-257-9854 · 20 Erford Rd, Suite 115, Lemoyne, PA 17043 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

9. PA DHS - Food Assistance — Free

State agency administering SNAP food assistance, TANF cash assistance, and other food and nutrition programs, connecting Pennsylvania families to local county assistance offices for applications. Fathers with custody of children can apply for SNAP and other benefits online at compass.state.pa.us or in person at their local County Assistance Office. Bring proof of income, identity, and household composition when applying.

1-800-692-7462 · Statewide · Helpline Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:45pm · Visit Website

10. MANNA (Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance) — Free

Provides medically tailored meals and nutrition counseling to critically ill Philadelphia-area residents fighting life-threatening diseases including HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other serious illnesses. MANNA delivers nutritious meals directly to clients' homes. Fathers or family members managing a serious illness can call MANNA to inquire about eligibility and enrollment. Services are free for qualifying Philadelphia-area patients with documented medical need.

215-496-2662 · 420 N 20th St, Philadelphia, PA 19130 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

11. 412 Food Rescue (Pittsburgh) — Free

Pittsburgh-based nonprofit using a mobile app and volunteer network to redirect surplus food from retailers, restaurants, and events to community organizations serving those in need. 412 Food Rescue reduces food waste while increasing food access across western PA. Fathers and families in the Pittsburgh area can find free food distributions through 412 Food Rescue partner organizations or volunteer to help rescue and deliver food.

412-407-9497 · 6880 Brownsville Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15227 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

12. Chester County Food Bank — Free

Regional food bank serving Chester County with food distribution through a network of partner pantries, shelters, and community organizations across the county. Fathers and families experiencing food insecurity in Chester County can visit chestercountyfoodbank.org to find the nearest pantry or food distribution event. The food bank also operates mobile and pop-up distributions to reach areas underserved by fixed pantry locations.

610-873-6000 · 660 Downingtown Pike, Suite A, West Chester, PA 19380 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website

13. Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank (Reading) — Free

Food bank serving Berks and Schuylkill counties distributing millions of pounds of food annually through 270+ partner agencies including pantries, shelters, and community programs. Fathers and families experiencing food insecurity in the Reading area and surrounding region can visit helpingharvest.org to find the nearest partner food pantry. Mobile distributions also serve rural and remote areas of Berks and Schuylkill counties.

610-926-5802 · 221 N Furnace St, Birdsboro, PA 19508 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website

14. Community FoodBank of New Jersey/PA Border Food Banks — Free

Regional food banks along the Pennsylvania-New Jersey border collaborating to serve Pike and Monroe county residents through partner agencies and mobile pantry distributions. Fathers and families in the Pocono Mountains area and northeastern PA border counties facing food insecurity can find the nearest distribution site by calling 211 or contacting a local community action agency for referrals to partner food programs.

610-730-4580 · Multiple locations in eastern PA · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

15. Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank (Scranton) — Free

Serves six northeastern Pennsylvania counties in and around Scranton through a network of food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters distributing millions of meals annually. Fathers and families facing food insecurity in the Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and northeastern PA region can visit weinbergnefoodbank.org or call 570-342-1171 to find the nearest partner food distribution location in their county.

570-826-0510 · 959 Wyoming Ave, Scranton, PA 18509 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website

16. PA School Breakfast & Lunch Programs — Free

Free or reduced-price school breakfast and lunch for eligible children across Pennsylvania. Applications are available through local school districts year-round and are based on household income. Fathers can apply on behalf of their children by contacting the school's main office or visiting the district's website. Children who qualify for SNAP automatically qualify for free school meals without a separate application.

717-787-7698 · Statewide through school districts · School year: Mon-Fri · Visit Website

17. Erie City Mission Food Services — Free

Provides daily hot meals and food pantry services to individuals and families in need throughout the Erie area, along with other emergency assistance programs. Erie City Mission serves anyone regardless of background or circumstances. Fathers and families in the Erie area experiencing food insecurity can visit the Mission for a free meal or access the food pantry. Additional emergency services including clothing and hygiene items may also be available.

814-452-4421 · 1017 French St, Erie, PA 16501 · Meals daily; pantry Mon-Fri 9am-3pm · Visit Website

Food Assistance — Common Questions

How do I apply for SNAP?: Apply through your state's Department of Human Services — online, in person, or by phone. Approval for basic cases can happen in 30 days; expedited SNAP is available within 7 days for households in severe need. Bring ID, proof of income, rent/mortgage, and utilities.
Can I use a food bank without applying?: Yes. Most food banks and pantries don't require income verification, ID, or applications for initial visits. Feeding America's online locator (feedingamerica.org) finds nearby pantries by ZIP code. Most pantries let you visit once or twice a month.
Are custodial fathers eligible for WIC?: Yes. WIC covers custodial parents (including fathers and grandparents) of children under 5, and breastfeeding or postpartum mothers. It's commonly assumed to be mother-only — it isn't. Apply at your local WIC clinic. Income limit is 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.
What is summer food service?: USDA's Summer Food Service Program feeds children 18 and under during school breaks. No application required — kids just show up at a participating site (schools, parks, libraries). Text FOOD to 304-304 to find a nearby site, or call 211.