Food Banks and Free Meal Programs in Erie, PA

In Erie, the demand for basic necessities has grown in ways you can feel at every corner of the community. We are seeing more folks in need of food banks and meal programs as well as mutual aid, including basic personal supplies, diapers and formula, and even furniture. 

Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (USA TODAY Network/Reuters Connect)

Local ministries and charities are working to help families fill their bellies and their fridges and rebuild safe, stable homes. Volunteers across these services understand the growing need for support, and that support comes in many forms: sometimes it’s a warm meal, other times it’s a box of groceries, and it can even be a donated bed or kitchen table that allows a family finally settling into housing to feel grounded again.

These services give hope to people who are doing their best to move forward, including parents juggling bills, seniors living on fixed incomes, young adults starting over, and neighbors who’ve hit an unexpected rough patch. These programs can help restore dignity, stability, and a sense of belonging. And behind every pantry shelf, hot meal, and delivered dresser are volunteers, nonprofits, churches, and community members committed to ensuring no one has to navigate hardship alone.

This guide highlights the food banks, meal programs, and free furniture resources available in Erie today that were built on generosity and sustained by community.

These resources were originally shared by the Erie Mutual Aid Network, a public Facebook group. It was last updated Aug. 1, 2025. If you are aware of any additional resources that should be included on this list, please contact me directly, and I’ll be happy to update it.

Community of Caring

245 E 8th Street

Free meals: Monday–Friday, noon –1 pm

Food Bank:

A–L: Wednesday, 11 am – 1 pm

M–Z: Friday, 11 am – 1  pm

Diabetic Food Bank: Tuesday, 11 am – 12 pm

Emmaus Ministries

218 E 11th Street

Emmaus Food Pantry: Monday & Tuesday, 9 am – 11 am

Emmaus Soup Kitchen: Monday–Friday, 4 pm – 5:30 pm

Erie Center City Outreach Food Bank

538 E 10th Street
Contact: Darlene at 10th Street United Methodist Church
Phone: 814-459-3131

Must live on East Side (Bayfront Pkwy–26th St, between French & East Ave)

Photo ID & proof of residency required

Open every 3rd Friday, 10:30 am – 1 pm

Erie City Mission

1017 French Street

Free lunches: Monday–Sunday, 11:30 am – 12:3 0pm (doors open at 11 am)

Family Care Center Food Bank:

Photo ID required

Once per week only

Tuesday & Thursday, 9 am – 2 pm

Clothing: Tuesday, 12:30 pm – 2 pm and Thursday, 9 am – 10:30 am

GECAC Meals on Wheels

18 W 9th Street

Delivers meals to the elderly and people with disabilities

Glenwood United Methodist Church

2931 Myrtle Street

Food pantry: 1st & 3rd Monday, 6 pm – 7 pm

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

643 W 17th Street

Free meals: Wednesday & Saturday at noon, Tuesday at 5 pm

Food Bank:

Photo ID & proof of residency required

Must meet federal & state income guidelines

Martin Luther King Center Food Bank

312 Chestnut Street
Contact: Mrs. Pierson, 814-459-2761 ext. 248

Photo ID, Social Security card, proof of income, and address required

Open Monday, Tuesday, & Friday, 10 am – 11:45 am and 1 pm – 2:45 pm

Metro-Erie Meals on Wheels

201 State Street
Phone: 814-452-6930

Salvation Army Food Bank

1022 Liberty Street

Open last two Mondays & Wednesdays each month

9:30 am – 11:30 am and 12:30 pm – 2 pm

St. John’s Lutheran Church Food Bank

2216 Peach Street

Photo ID & proof of income/residency required

Open 2nd & 4th Wednesday, 12:30 pm – 2 pm

St. Martin’s Center

1701 Parade Street

Emergency food pantry — call ahead for an appointment

Phone: 814-452-6113

St. Patrick’s Church Food Bank

130 E 4th Street
Phone: 814-454-8085\

Registration required

Photo ID & proof of residence required

Must live between Bayfront Parkway & 6th Street

Open Tuesday, 11 am – 1 pm

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Food Pantry

134 W 7th Street

Photo ID, proof of income, & proof of residency required

Open Friday, 9:30 am – noon

St. Paul’s R.C. Church

452 W 16th Street

Free meals: Monday, 4:15 pm – 5 pm

St. Peter’s Cathedral Food Bank

230 W 10th Street

Open Wednesday, 9 am –11 am

Free Furniture Services in Erie

A Hand Up

2527 West 37th Street, Erie, PA 16506
Email: [email protected]

Hours: Saturday, 9 am –12 pm

Provides free furniture; proof of ID, residency, and a working phone required

Erie Free Store

Elmwood Avenue Presbyterian Church
2816 Elmwood Avenue, Erie, PA 16508
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 814-864-4809

Open Monday, 4:30 pm – 7 pm

If you need help finding any of the resources on this list, this Google Map may be helpful: