Food Pantries & Restaurants to Get Free Food if You're on SNAP in the Bay

A sure sign of an empire in decline is when politics are so vitriolic that not a goddamn thing can get done. And that is certainly where we are, considering the US government has been shut down since October 1st. Like most situations in life, shit runs downhill, so it’s the poor and the working people who are getting fucked over the worst.

As a result of all this, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is set to stop functioning (aka stop feeding people) on November 1st. This is a holy-shit-big fucking-deal problem considering that 42 million people rely on SNAP to feed themselves and their families. But if you’re reading this, and you use SNAP, you already know all this so I’m gonna just get into the important stuff.

If you’re in need of help, FindHelp.org is a fantastic resource. You just type in your zip code and the site brings up a list of resources including financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, and other free or reduced-cost help. I just entered my email zip code and it told me there were 3,524 programs in my area.

Thanks to Kate Bueler for turning me on to this one. The folks at Bay Area Workers Support (BAWS) are “Working to keep our communities safer, healthy & thriving” so with that in mind they have massive list of food resources around the Bay Area that don’t require screening, showing ID, or otherwise have a barrier to services. You can find that list right here.

I saw a post by Vida Miramontes-Loek (Vidakillz on Threads) that they were organizing a list to keep track of all the places in the Bay Area offering free meals for kids and families receiving SNAP benefits. That list is called The SNAP Benefit Community Support Doc and you can consult it as it grows. If you’re a restaurant or grocery that wants to add your offerings to the list, you can fill out this form.

For the sake of less clicking around though, below is a list of what’s currently on the doc:

Address: 232 O'Farrell St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 11AM - 8PM

Terms: Bring Your Snap + ID. Rice & Bean or Chicken Burritos Only. Up to 4 burritos a week per family. Water included.

Original Post:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DQS48PDEbZP/

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Address: 3645 Lawton St, San Francisco, CA 94122

Hours:
Monday         Closed
Tuesday         Closed
Wednesday    12–8 PM
Thursday        12–8 PM
Friday              12–9 PM
Saturday         12–9 PM
Sunday         12–8 PM

Terms: FREE MEAL FOR CHILDREN UNDER 12. PARENTS 25% OFF

Original Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQXY-iwgZmE/?hl=en 

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Address: 164 6th St., San Francisco

Hours:
Monday         7:30–10 AM, 11 AM–2 PM, 5–9 PM
Tuesday         7:30–10 AM, 11 AM–2 PM, 5–9 PM
Wednesday    7:30–10 AM, 11 AM–2 PM, 5–9 PM
Thursday        7:30–10 AM, 11 AM–2 PM, 5–9 PM
Friday             Closed
Saturday        Closed
Sunday         Closed

Terms:

With the government shutdown affecting EBT and resources, we’re stepping up for our community. This Saturday, Nov 1st, and Thanksgiving, we’re giving away 1,500+ free meals — no questions, no judgment.

Questions? Email us at [email protected].

Original Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQXQtFBEtbG/?hl=en

Address: 360 40th Street Oakland, CA

Hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 11AM - 8PM

Terms: Monster Pho will now offer children a Free Meal until SNAP is funded. Valid kids 12 and under. Show your current SNAP card & have your children with you. Free any pho beef, chicken or veggie. No purchase necessary for kids. Parents receive 25% off their personal order. Kids will be signed up for Christmas Toy Drive Event (Dec 20th) with @FriendsOfLincolnSquarePark

Original Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQR2pEYCSXO/?hl=en&img_index=1

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Address: Ohlone Territory, 3340 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94601

Hours:
Monday        Closed
Tuesday        9 AM–12 PM
Wednesday   9 AM–2 PM, 5–9 PM
Thursday       9 AM–2 PM, 5–9 PM
Friday             9 AM–2 PM, 5–9 PM
Saturday        11 AM–3 PM
Sunday         11 AM–3 PM

Terms: Monster Pho will now offer children a Free Meal until SNAP is funded. Valid kids 12 and under. Show your current SNAP card & have your children with you. Free any pho beef, chicken or veggie. No purchase necessary for kids. Parents receive 25% off their personal order. Kids will be signed up for Christmas Toy Drive Event (Dec 20th) with @FriendsOfLincolnSquarePark

Original Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQLE24kCVhR/?hl=en&img_index=1

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Address: 1430 23rd Ave, Oakland, CA 94606

Hours:

Monday         Closed
Tuesday         12–8 PM
Wednesday    12–8 PM
Thursday        12–8 PM
Friday         12–8 PM
Saturday         12–8 PM
Sunday         12–6 PM

Terms:

For the month of November, slide thru with your SNAP benefit card and your baby, (12 years old and under) and leave with a free kids meal and a mini coqui! Times are hard but like Gracie said, Let’s do a little happy dance and support one another! We’re excited about our new kids meal in November. Please spread the word to any families effected by their benefits and also for families with little ones who want to enjoy our comida, perfectly crafted for little bellies!

Original Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQSTnjCE9h-/?hl=en&img_index=1

Address: 3137 Stevens Creek Blvd. San Jose, Ca. 95117

Hours:

Monday         Closed
Tuesday         10:30 AM–8:30 PM
Wednesday    10:30 AM–8:30 PM
Thursday        10:30 AM–8:30 PM
Friday              10:30 AM–9 PM
Saturday         10:30 AM–9 PM
Sunday         12:30–8:30 PM

Terms: FREE PASTA OR PIZZA DINNER WITH SIDES AND DRINKS PARENTS 25% OFF

Original Post:  https://www.instagram.com/tonyalbaspizza/?hl=en

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Address: 1171 Homestead Rd #190, Santa Clara, CA 95050

Hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 12pm - 10PM

Terms: Free Chibi Meal for Children Under 12 with valid SNAP card until SNAP is funded again

Original Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQV3fpEkUM0/?hl=en

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Address: See Instagram Stories / Posts for Location

Hours: See Instagram Stories / Posts for Location

Terms: For the Month of November we taking care of the KIDS, Simply present your SNAP CARD + ID and your child will receive a FREE burrito and drink no charge.

*Parents will receive their meal at a discount %

*Families can receive 5 burritos per week

*Chicken Garlic Rice Burritos only 🙏🏾

Original Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQUnx98Eq7o/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D

Location and Hours:

Epidemic Ales Concord
Tues 4-8:30pm
Fri 4-9pm

Antioch Market
Sat 9-2 pm

Terms:

We're joining other food businesses in the Bay to rally behind our community and, while the powers at be reach an agreement, we're serving tacos to folks losing SNAP benefits in the month of November.

(Limited to tacos dorados and up to 3 meals per Family)

Bring your snap card + ID

Fresh Theory Barbershop in San Jose is having a free grocery day Nov 2nd for families to come and grab free groceries.

We are accepting donations from community. We have a full freezer and fridge and lots of room in the shop for all items.

Just asking to present EBT card and ID.

Address: 705 W Capitol Expy #70, San Jose, CA 95136