Summer hunger is real, and it's closer to home than most people think. Whether you're stretching the grocery budget this summer or have just found yourself in a tight spot, these local food pantries are here to help. Bookmark this list and share it freely.
*Please call before you go to verify eligibility requirements. Calendar links are provided when available.
We frequently check sources for updates and changes. If you know of any changes or corrections, please email us at sandrao@macaronikid.com.
Local Food Pantries and Food Banks
North Little Rock, Maumelle, Sherwood, Jacksonville
- Amboy Community Food Pantry— 701 W 47th St. (501) 753-2777. For residents of North Little Rock (must verify with utility bill or lease). Open Mon & Thur 9 am to noon | Website
- Bayou Meto Baptist Church Food Pantry— 26200 Hwy 107, Jacksonville (501) 988-1966. Open 4th Mon 315-5:15 pm | Website
- Berea Baptist Church Caring Center— 104 E. Valentine St., Jacksonville (501) 982-8366. Open Tues & Thur 10 am-1:30 pm | Website
- Berean Disciple Church Food Pantry— 4509 Rogers St. (501) 993-5276. Open last Sat of the month 9 am-noon | Website
- Dark Hollow Food Pantry—1900 Pine St. (501) 376-8144. Open Wed 8:30-10 am | Website
- Faith Baptist Church NLR—5600 Camp Robinson Rd. (501) 753-8897. 1st & 3rd Mondays (excluding holidays) 12-1 pm | Website
- Faith Baptist Church Main St NLR—2015 Main St. (501) 758-1525. For ages 18+ w/ photo ID or receipt w/ current address (NLR preferred) | Open Tues 11 am-1 pm | Website
- First Christian Church Sherwood— 2803 E Kiehl Ave. (501) 650-1014. For residents of Sherwood & Jacksonville. Bring a photo ID & proof of residency. Open Sat 10:30 am-noon | Website
- First Pentecostal Church "The Basket" — 424 E 17th St. (501) 758-3090 x 3208. Open Fri 12-2:30 pm | This is a drive-thru location. Use entrance D to enter. Drive under the awning and honk. Someone will be there shortly to assist you. You will be asked to complete paperwork on your first visit and show identification on future visits. | Website
- Fishnet Missions Food Pantry— 1700 Swift Dr, Jacksonville (501) 241-1211. See Facebook for updates.
- Gardner Memorial UMC Food Pantry— 1723 Schaer St. (501) 374-9520. Open to NLR residents with a photo ID. Enter the building from the Schaer Street side, go to the back of the courtyard, and down the steps leading to the basement, where a volunteer will greet you. | Open Tues 12-4 pm | Website
- Grace Church of the Nazarene— 3923 Camp Robinson Rd. (501) 551-9788. Serves anyone.
Also has clothes, household items, and women’s hygiene products. | Open Thur 5:30-6:30 pm | Website - Greater New Hope Baptist Church — 1723 W 44th St. (501) 758-4651. Monthly food & clothing giveaway, every 2nd Saturday | Facebook
- The Grove Food Pantry—12118 MacArthur Dr. (501) 800-1030. For those in the 72113, 72118, & 72106 zip codes. Open Tues & Thur 10-6 and Sat 10-1 | Facebook
- Hesed Pantry—9650 Hwy 107, Sherwood (drive-through) (501) 960-4769. Open to Sherwood residents, Wed 9:30-12:30 | Website
- Hope Ministry Alliance— 14423 Smalling Rd. (501) 256-9284. Mon & Fri 10-noon | Website
- In Your Hands Ministries Food Pantry— 3905 Hwy 161 N (501) 945-1314. Photo ID & proof of address required. Open Mon, Thur, Fri 9-12 | Website
- Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church— 800 Page Mill Rd. (501) 758-1190. Serves anyone. May have household items (call ahead if interested). | Open 3rd Sat of the month 9-11 am | Website
- New Hope Baptist Church— 1821 Edmonds St. (501) 945-2923. Open 4th Thurs of the month 1-5 while supplies last | Facebook
- Park Hill Christian Church Food Pantry— 4400 JFK Blvd. (501) 753-1109. Open Tues 8:30-10:30 am | Website
- Pulaski Tech College Food Pantry— 3000 W Scenic Dr. (501) 812-2881. Open to students, faculty, & staff. UA-PTC ID card required | Website
- River City Ministries Food Pantry & DHS Emergency Food Provider— 1021 E Washington (501) 376-6694. Open Tues 9:15-10:45, Thur 12:15-2:00 | Website
- Step Inc.— 601 E 19th St. (501) 758-4054. Open to children/youth Mon-Wed 4:00-7:30, Thur 2:00-7:50 | Website
- Sylvan Hills Crisis Corner—8019 Hwy 107, Sherwood (501) 835-1612. Open Tues 10-noon | Website
Community Meals & Free Food Distribution Events
- AR Community Advocates Food Distribution at Laman Library— Volunteers will distribute food to those in need. Located in the library Lecture Hall, each Thursday (closed on holidays). Supplies are limited. First-come, first-served. | 2801 Orange St. NLR | Website
- Potluck Food Rescue Pantry Restock at Argenta Library—Fresh vegetables, fruits, and shelf-stable items for patrons to pick up each Thursday. Supplies are limited. First-come, first-served. | 420 Main St. | Website
- River City Ministries— Breakfast served Mon-Fri at 8 am, Hot lunch served Mon-Fri at noon following 11 am devotional. Sunday meal at 2 pm. | 1021 E Washington NLR, (501) 376-6694 | Website
- Salvation Army Little Rock— Hot breakfast once daily at 7 am | 1111 W. Markham, LR | See website for details.
For Families with Kids
Many organizations in North Little Rock offer free meals or snacks for children and teens, even outside of school hours. Check with:
- Local YMCAs, Boys & Girls Clubs, or after-school programs
- Libraries or churches that host kids’ meal days or snack tables
- County or city social services websites for up-to-date youth meal information
2026 FREE Library Summer Meal Service for Kids and Teens | No Registration, ID, or library card required. For children 2-18. Children under 11 must be accompanied. Meals must be eaten on site.
North Little Rock Library System
- Laman Library - 2801 Orange St. | Meals will be served Mondays through Thursdays from 12–1 PM, June 1 through July 31, except on days when the library is closed. | Website
Central Arkansas Library System
- Children’s Library & Learning Center 4800 W. 10th Street, Little Rock | M-F 4-5 pm
- Dee Brown Library 6325 Baseline Road, Little Rock | M-F 3:30-4:30 pm
- Fletcher Library 823 N. Buchanan Street, Little Rock | M-F 3-4:30 pm
- Main Library Library Square, 401 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock | M-F 3:30-4:30 pm
- Maumelle Library 10 Lake Pointe Drive, Maumelle | M-F 3:00-5:00 pm
- McMath Library 2100 John Barrow Road, Little Rock | M-F 4:00-5:00 pm
- Nixon Library 703 W. Main Street, Jacksonville | M-F 4:00-5:00 pm
- Rooker Library 11 Otter Creek Court, Little Rock | M-F 4:00-5:00 pm
- Sanders Library 10200 Johnson Drive, Sherwood | M-F 3:30-5:00 pm
- Terry Library 2015 Napa Valley Drive, Little Rock | M-F 4:30-5:30 pm
- Williams Library 1800 S. Chester Street, Little Rock | M-F 4:00-5:00 pm
Summer Meal Service Locations - Thursdays, June 4 to July 30, 7-10 am
Available while supplies last. For kids 18 & younger. One pack per child. Each pack includes 10 meals (5 breakfasts, 5 lunches). Children do not have to attend PCSSD to receive Meal Packs.
*Due to the holiday schedule, meals will be distributed on Wednesday, June 17, from 7-10 am.
- Cato Elementary School, 9906 Jacksonville-Cato Rd., Sherwood
- Wilbur D. Mills University Studies High School, 708 E. Dixon Rd. Little Rock
Blessing Boxes, Little Free Pantries, & Community Fridges
These small, take-what-you-need spots are stocked by neighbors, and are open 24/7:
- Annie Lea's Pantry Blessing Box NLR— 4106 JFK Blvd at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, NLR 72116 | Website
- Baring Cross Baptist Church Little Free Pantry Sherwood— 3501 Baring Cross Rd
- Blessing Box Sherwood— 10 Kelso Rd
- CALS Little Free Pantries— Some are located outside, while others are inside the library.
- Nixon Library 703 W Main St, Jacksonville, AR 72076
- Maumelle Library 10 Lake Pointe Dr, Maumelle, AR 72113
- Children’s Library 4800 W 10th St, Little Rock, AR 72204
- Dee Brown Library 6325 Baseline Rd, Little Rock, AR 72209
- Fletcher Library 823 N Buchanan St, Little Rock, AR 72205
- McMath Library 2100 John Barrow Rd, Little Rock, AR 72204
- CALS Community Fridges— Stocked at least twice weekly. Donations are accepted directly into the fridges, provided they are unopened and safe to eat.
- Nixon Library 703 W Main St, Jacksonville, AR 72076
- Dee Brown Library 6325 Baseline Rd, Little Rock, AR 72209
- Williams Library 1800 S Chester St, Little Rock, AR 72206
- McMath Library 2100 John Barrow Rd, Little Rock, AR 72204
- First Christian Church of Sherwood— 2803 E Kiehl Ave., Free Food Pantry box located on the west side of the church.
- NLRHS Little Free Pantry— 101 W 22nd St, NLR 72114 (located in side lot across main parking lot on JFK Blvd) | Website
- Little Free Pantry Sherwood— 117 W Maryland Ave
- Little Free Pantry Sherwood— 8601 Indianhead Dr
- Little Free Pantry Sherwood— 3100 E Kiehl Ave
- Little Free Pantry Sherwood— 9860 Brockington Rd
- Little Free Pantry Sherwood— 226 Reeves Rd
- Little Free Pantry Sherwood— 10611 Jacksonville Cato Rd
- New Dora Baptist Church Little Free Pantry— 317 Jamison Ave, NLR 72117 | Website
- NLR Animal Shelter Little Free Pet Pantry— #1 Championship Dr in Burns Park
- Refuge Church Blessing Box NLR— 204 W 4th St, NLR 72116 | Website
- #TeamTatum Blessing Box—1609 Sycamore St, NLR 72118 | Facebook
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💕 Ways to Help Others
If your family is in a position to give back, many of these groups welcome donations or volunteers. A few cans of soup, a bag of rice, or a few minutes helping stock shelves can make a real difference.
More Local Resources
- 211 Helpline: Call 211 or visit 211.org for up-to-date information on food, housing, and family resources in North Little Rock.
- Arkansas Community Advocate: Facebook Page
- Arkansas Food Bank: Find resources near you at https://arkansasfoodbank.org/find-food/
- Feeding America: Find additional food pantries at FeedingAmerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank.
- Little Free Pantry in Sherwood: Facebook Page
- United Way Central Arkansas: Community Resource Guide | Website
Macaroni KID North Little Rock & Macaroni KID Little Rock Metro are here to support local families — whether it’s finding fun things to do or helping when times are tough. Because being part of our communities means showing up for each other — and we’re always here to help you find what your family needs.
