Who Can Visit?
Everyone who needs groceries is welcome at Hope Food Pantry Austin. You don't need to prove anything to walk through the door. Families are eligible if they have an annual income at or below 185% of the Federal poverty level, are currently receiving some form of government assistance like SNAP, or are going through a crisis that requires emergency food help.
Good to Know
Hope Food Pantry is located at 4001 Speedway, Austin, TX 78751, inside Trinity Church. Enter through the 40th Street doors. The pantry is open every Thursday and Friday, and the first Saturday of each month, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Please don't arrive before 8:45 a.m.
The pantry is closed on New Year's Day, the 4th of July, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
You can reach them by email at info@hopefoodpantryaustin.org with any questions.
If you need to get there by bus, visit capmetro.org/planner or call 512-474-1200. You can also call Austin 2-1-1 for social services help around the clock, or Austin 3-1-1 for general assistance questions.
Food & Essentials
Hope Food Pantry uses a choice model set up similar to a grocery store, so you can pick what works best for your family. Visitors have noted a good selection of food that often includes fresh produce, vegetables, eggs, canned goods, bread, and sometimes organic items. The pantry also rescues food each week from Natural Grocers, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and Pepperidge Farm to keep things fresh and varied.
The pantry also makes vitamins and hygiene items available when they're on hand.
How to Pick Up
When you arrive, you'll wait in line, fill out a form, and receive a ticket. Then you shop through the pantry in a grocery-store style setup. Volunteers are there to help guide you through the process.
Additional Support
Hope partners with other community programs to go beyond just groceries:
- Plus 1 Utility Assistance: Hope works with the City of Austin Plus 1 Utility Assistance program to help families facing temporary trouble paying their utility bills due to serious illness, job loss, or other emergencies.
- AISD Families in Crisis: Hope partners with St. John's UMC to offer bags of groceries to families working with AISD Licensed Mental Health Professionals.
- Children's Library Program: Kids who come in with their families can pick a book to take home.
Ways to Give
Every $1 donated helps provide about 10 meals to families facing food insecurity. There are several ways to support Hope Food Pantry:
- Donate online at hopefoodpantryaustin.breezechms.com/give/online
- Venmo: @HopeFoodPantryAustin
- Mail a check to: Hope Food Pantry, 4001 Speedway, Austin, Texas 78751
- Corporate matching: Ask your employer if they have a matching program. Companies like Google and Marsh & McLennan Companies have supported Hope through matching.
- Organize a food drive: Donations of under 50 pounds are accepted every Thursday, Friday, and first Saturday of the month between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. For larger donations, email info@hopefoodpantryaustin.org to set up a drop-off time.
Most-needed food items include breakfast cereal, shelf-stable milk, canned vegetables, canned fruit, soup, chili, peanut butter (under 18 oz), canned tuna or chicken, pasta, rice, beans, and granola bars. Please no glass containers, opened or expired items, or packages over 2 pounds.
How to Join the Team?
Over 25 volunteers are needed each week to keep the pantry running. Anyone can make a difference! There are several ways to get involved:
- Food pick-up (Monday-Friday): Pick up food from partner stores. You'll need to be comfortable lifting up to 50 pounds.
- Food Bank Delivery (Tuesdays at 9 a.m.): Help deliver from the food bank. Lifting up to 50 pounds required. Takes 1 to 2 hours.
- Sort and Stock (Tuesdays 1:30 to 4:00 p.m.): Sort and stock dry goods and produce. Lifting up to 25 pounds needed.
- Distribution and Intaking (Thursdays/Fridays 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.): Help distribute groceries to families or check families in. Spanish is helpful but not required.
To sign up as an individual volunteer, fill out the Volunteer Registration Form. For group volunteering inquiries, email info@hopefoodpantryaustin.org.