Loaves & Fishes for St. Louis Inc

Who Can Visit?

Loaves & Fishes for St. Louis serves individuals and families facing food insecurity. Clients must meet the U.S. Federal Poverty Guidelines at 150% of the federal poverty level.

Before you can receive food, you need to register as a new client. Registration is by appointment only. You must schedule an appointment before coming in.

How to Register?

Submit an enrollment form through the Food Pantry page on their website. Due to high demand, responses can take up to two business days. Calling the office won't speed up the process. Once your inquiry is reviewed, you'll be scheduled for a registration appointment.

Items Needed for Registration

Bring the following documents to your registration appointment:

• Valid photo ID
• Proof of household income for all adults aged 19 and over, which can be any of the following:
  • Most recent tax return
  • Recent pay stub
  • Social Security or Disability award letter
  • Unemployment award letter or proof of income loss (e.g., a termination letter)
  • SNAP budget summary showing zero income
  • Proof of enrollment if you're not working due to schooling
• Documentation of veterans' status, if applicable
• Birth certificates or Social Security cards for each child in the household

Note that clients who miss their registration appointments multiple times will be ineligible to re-enroll or may be removed from the program.

Good to Know

Each year, the pantry serves more than 11,800 individuals and distributes nearly 600,000 meals. Reviewers highlight the quality and variety of items available, including fresh produce, meat, and more.

Food & Essentials

The pantry provides a wide range of items, including fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, dairy products like milk, canned goods, boxed items, bread, desserts, snacks, and fresh flowers. Reviewers have noted the quality and freshness of what's offered.

Baby essentials are also available for households with young children.

How to Pick Up

Appointment times are available Monday through Friday. Once enrolled, you'll schedule recurring food pickup appointments to receive your groceries.

Additional Support

Loaves & Fishes also offers seasonal assistance programs during Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. These are available by appointment only and require pre-registration before each event. Participating clients receive a special "Seasonal Appointment Card" separate from their regular food pantry appointments. Contact the office at (314) 291-3857 for details.

Facilities

The organization's walk-in day services facility (for individuals experiencing homelessness) provides laundry, hot showers, clothing assistance, and personal care and hygiene items. This facility is open five days a week.

Ways to Give

The pantry welcomes donations of money, food, used clothing in good condition, and personal hygiene products. You can donate online at go.levitate.ai or drop off items at their location. If your employer has a corporate matching gift program, your donation can go twice as far.

How to Join the Team?

Volunteer shifts are available Monday through Friday, and opportunities are open to individuals, corporate teams, high school and university students, court-ordered service participants, and community groups. To sign up, create an account on their volunteer registration page to track your hours and explore available opportunities. Groups of more than three should contact Alan Ellis at alan@loavesandfishes-stl.org.