Bay Area Food Pantries and Programs
Every person deserves the security and dignity that comes from knowing where their next meal will come from. Across the Bay Area, and especially in the East Bay Area, organizations, volunteers, schools, and faith communities are working tirelessly to make sure no one goes hungry.
While the East Bay Area serves as the heart of this network, food insecurity stretches across the entire region, from the North Bay to the South Bay and down the Peninsula. Hunger affects children, families, seniors, students, and unhoused neighbors alike. Addressing it requires both community commitment and individual action.
This guide highlights food pantries, meal programs, and hunger relief organizations across the East Bay Area, with additional context about programs throughout the Bay Area. It’s designed as both a resource for those in need and a call to action for those who want to help.
Why Food Support Matters in the Bay Area
The Bay Area is home to a diverse population, thriving businesses, and vibrant neighborhoods. Yet beneath this prosperity, many residents struggle to access nutritious meals regularly. Families are stretched by high housing costs, healthcare expenses, childcare, and transportation challenges. Seniors on fixed incomes, unhoused individuals, and students often face food insecurity despite their best efforts.
Community food support programs address more than just hunger. They provide:
Nutritional security for children, seniors, and families
Connection and stability for neighbors in crisis
Access to other services, such as housing support, hygiene items, and educational supplies
Volunteer and civic engagement opportunities, strengthening the social fabric of the Bay Area
Tri-Valley and East Bay Area Food Pantries
Below is an expanded look at some of the East Bay Area’s most impactful food support programs. These organizations provide more than groceries, they offer dignity, hope, and a pathway to stability.
Alameda County Community Food Bank | Visit Website
Location: 7900 Edgewater Drive, Oakland
Mission: Valley Food Resources operates on the principle that food is a basic human right, working to ensure that every person in the Tri-Valley and broader East Bay Area can access healthy, nutritious meals.
What they do: They coordinate food distribution, community partnerships, and meal programs for children, families, seniors, and unhoused neighbors. Their network connects local grocery drives, school programs, and pantries to make sure no one is left hungry.
Impact: By partnering with schools, nonprofits, and volunteers, Valley Food Resources strengthens East Bay Area communities and provides a foundation for residents to thrive.
The Well Christian Community Church | Visit Website
Location: 2333 Nissen Dr, Livermore
Mission: The Well provides food, hygiene items, and school supplies, affirming that every individual deserves basic essentials for a dignified life.
What they do: They distribute meats, dry goods, toiletries, and school supplies every Friday. Beyond food, they ensure students have access to essential items for learning and families can maintain household stability.
Who they serve: Families, children, seniors, and unhoused individuals in the East Bay Area.
Impact: The Well bridges gaps in daily living needs, ensuring that community members can focus on long-term stability rather than day-to-day survival.
The Market at Las Positas College | Visit Website
Location: 3000 Campus Hill Dr, Livermore (1600 Building Courtyard)
Mission: The Market believes food access is universal, offering free groceries to all community members — not just students.
What they do: Each month, the Market distributes groceries at the Las Positas College courtyard. Their open-access approach allows anyone in the East Bay Area to receive support without stigma or restriction.
Who they serve: Students, families, and individuals facing temporary or chronic food insecurity in Livermore and surrounding East Bay Area cities.
Impact: By situating itself at a college, the Market reaches young adults and working families who may otherwise struggle to access food resources in the East Bay Area.
Tri-Valley Haven Food Pantry | Visit Website
Location: 150 N. L St., Livermore
Mission: Tri-Valley Haven emphasizes holistic support, addressing food insecurity as part of a broader spectrum of services, including shelter, crisis support, and family stability programs.
What they do: Their food pantry distributes groceries Monday through Saturday, offering fresh produce, pantry staples, and household items. Staff and volunteers also connect guests to additional resources for housing, employment, and mental health support.
Who they serve: Children, families, seniors, and anyone experiencing financial hardship in the East Bay Area.
Impact: Tri-Valley Haven is a lifeline for hundreds of East Bay Area residents each week, providing not only meals but also hope and connection.
Cornerstone Fellowship | Visit Website
Location: 348 N. Canyons Pkwy, Livermore
Mission: Cornerstone Fellowship offers comprehensive support services, combining food, hygiene, and community care for vulnerable neighbors.
What they do: They provide a hot breakfast, showers, clothing, and case management services every Friday morning. Their holistic approach ensures that guests leave not just fed but cared for.
Who they serve: Unhoused and marginalized neighbors throughout the East Bay Area.
Impact: Cornerstone Fellowship’s work in the East Bay Area goes beyond feeding — it restores dignity and empowers guests to regain stability.
Spectrum Community Services — Meals on Wheels | Visit Website
Location: No building, they come to you! Call (510) 881-0304.
Mission: Spectrum Community Services ensures that homebound seniors can access nutritious meals daily, preventing isolation and malnutrition.
What they do: Meals are delivered directly to homes in Livermore, Dublin, Pleasanton, and Sunol Monday through Friday. The program also monitors seniors’ well-being and connects them to other local support resources.
Who they serve: Seniors and homebound individuals across the East Bay Area.
Impact: Regular meal delivery improves health outcomes, reduces isolation, and strengthens East Bay Area communities by keeping seniors healthy and engaged.
Tri-Valley Seek and Save | Visit Website
Location: 348 N. Canyons Pkwy, Livermore
Mission: Tri-Valley Seek and Save provides fast, accessible food distribution while maintaining dignity and respect for guests.
What they do: Drive-thru distribution of groceries every Saturday morning. Their efficient model allows busy families and working individuals to receive essential food without lengthy wait times.
Who they serve: Families, children, and adults in the East Bay Area.
Impact: By reducing logistical barriers, this program helps ensure consistent food access for East Bay Area residents.
Children’s Emergency Food Bank | Visit Website
Location: 7421 Amarillo Rd, Dublin
Mission: Focused on children, the Food Bank ensures that no child in the East Bay Area goes hungry, especially when families face economic hardship.
What they do: They provide non-perishable groceries by appointment, giving families the flexibility and privacy needed during challenging times.
Who they serve: Families with children in Dublin and throughout the East Bay Area.
Impact: Supporting children’s nutrition has lasting effects on learning, development, and family stability across the region.
St. Vincent de Paul (St. Michael Catholic Church, Livermore) | Visit Website
Location: 458 Maple St, Livermore
Mission: This faith-based pantry prioritizes compassionate, consistent food support for all in need.
What they do: Offers evening and weekend food distribution, including perishable and non-perishable items. Staff and volunteers also provide guidance on additional social services.
Who they serve: Residents of Livermore and nearby East Bay Area communities.
Impact: By combining spiritual guidance with practical support, St. Vincent de Paul strengthens both the body and spirit of East Bay Area neighbors.
St. Matthew’s Baptist Church | Visit Website
Location: 1886 College Ave, Livermore, CA 94550
Mission: St. Matthew’s Feeding Ministry aims to nourish bodies and build community through weekly meal support.
What they do: Provides hot meals and pantry items every Saturday. Guests are welcomed into a supportive environment that fosters social connection.
Who they serve: Children, families, and adults across the East Bay Area.
Impact: Their weekly efforts create a sense of belonging and provide crucial sustenance to East Bay Area families.
Discovery Church of the Nazarene | Visit Website
Location: 5862 Las Positas Rd, Livermore
Mission: The church seeks to strengthen community bonds through shared meals and fellowship.
What they do: Hosts a community breakfast every Sunday, providing food, connection, and conversation.
Who they serve: Anyone in the East Bay Area seeking a meal or community connection.
Impact: Regular, predictable meals help reduce isolation while nourishing East Bay Area residents.
St. Vincent de Paul | Visit Website
Location: 11555 Shannon Ave, Dublin
Mission: Dedicated to emergency food relief, this pantry ensures families in crisis have immediate access to nutritious food.
What they do: Monthly food distribution events provide groceries and household essentials. Volunteers also connect families to broader social supports.
Who they serve: Families in Dublin and the East Bay Area experiencing urgent need.
Impact: Immediate food relief prevents hunger crises and stabilizes East Bay Area households.
Interfaith Sharing Food Pantry | Visit Website
Location: 678 Enos Way, Livermore
Mission: Emphasizes collaboration and inclusion, providing perishable and non-perishable food with dignity.
What they do: Thursday and Saturday morning distributions provide fresh produce, proteins, and pantry staples.
Who they serve: Local families and individuals throughout the East Bay Area.
Impact: By combining volunteer engagement with consistent distribution, Interfaith Sharing strengthens East Bay Area food networks.
Open Heart Kitchen — Feeding the East Bay Area at Scale | Visit Website
Open Heart Kitchen is one of the largest meal providers in the East Bay Area, focused on reaching anyone in need, from seniors to children, students, and the unhoused. Their programs include:
Hot meal services at community centers and shelters
Mobile food delivery programs
Senior meal programs and home delivery
Partnerships with schools and nonprofit agencies
Impact in the East Bay Area: Open Heart Kitchen ensures consistent, nutritious meals for thousands of residents every week. By partnering with local pantries and nonprofits, they amplify the reach of food programs across Livermore, Dublin, Pleasanton, and surrounding East Bay Area cities.
How to help: Volunteers, monetary donations, and food drives are always welcome.
Second Harvest — Supporting the East Bay Area From Across the Bay | Visit Website
Although headquartered in the South Bay, Second Harvest Food Bank plays a critical role in supplying East Bay Area food programs. They provide:
Bulk grocery and produce distribution to local East Bay Area pantries
Emergency response food support during natural disasters and crises
School pantry support and child-focused programs
Impact: Second Harvest strengthens East Bay Area pantries like Tri-Valley Haven, The Well, and Interfaith Sharing Food Pantry, ensuring the region has consistent access to high-quality, fresh, and shelf-stable foods.
Food Insecurity Across the Bay Area (With the East Bay Area as the Center)
While the East Bay Area serves as a hub, hunger is a challenge throughout the Bay Area:
North Bay (45–90 minutes from East Bay Area): Food pantries in Marin, Napa, and Sonoma collaborate with farms to provide produce, some of which flows to East Bay Area programs.
Peninsula (30–60 minutes from East Bay Area): School pantries and mobile distributions mirror East Bay Area programs.
San Francisco (40–75 minutes from East Bay Area): Urban food banks support East Bay Area residents during emergencies.
South Bay (45–90 minutes from East Bay Area): Second Harvest ensures food flows to East Bay Area communities, supplementing local pantries.
How You Can Help the East Bay Area and Beyond
Even small acts make a huge difference:
Donate money — East Bay Area food banks stretch every dollar to provide multiple meals.
Donate food — Shelf-stable items, fresh produce, and proteins are always needed.
Volunteer your time — Help distribute, prepare, or deliver meals.
Spread awareness — Share pantry information with neighbors, schools, and workplaces.
Supporting the East Bay Area creates ripple effects across the broader Bay Area, strengthening communities and ensuring no one goes hungry.
Building a Nourished East Bay Area
The East Bay Area is more than a geographic center; it’s a hub of compassion, action, and connection. From the Tri-Valley to the larger region, food pantries, meal programs, and volunteer networks demonstrate that when we care for our neighbors, the whole community thrives.
Whether you need assistance or are looking to help, the East Bay Area offers opportunities to make a meaningful impact. With your support, we can continue to ensure that food insecurity becomes a temporary challenge, not a permanent reality, for everyone in the East Bay Area and the Bay Area at large.
