Wilkinson Center - Food Distribution Center
Who Can Visit?
The Wilkinson Center Food Pantry serves families living in zip codes 75217, 75227, and 75228. New clients who have never visited before, or who haven't been in more than 12 months, don't need an appointment and can come in as a walk-in during hours of operation. New clients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis, and there is a limit on how many new clients can be taken in each day.
Returning clients who have visited within the last 12 months need to book an appointment in advance. You can schedule your appointment at https://www.thewilkinsoncenter.org/food-and-support-services/existing-client/.
Items Needed for Registration
When you come for the first time, please bring proof of your address, such as an electric, water, or gas bill, or a current lease. You'll also need to bring information about all the people in your household, like birth certificates, a photo ID, vaccine records, or school records that show dates of birth. Documents can be in a digital format on your phone or device.
How Often You Can Visit?
Families can visit the pantry once a month.
Good to Know
The pantry uses a client-choice model, which means you get to pick your own food items rather than receiving a pre-packed box. This helps make sure nothing goes to waste. Lines can get very long if you arrive during the first half of any open time period, so it may be a good idea to come later in the session. Staff and volunteers are known for being helpful, friendly, and caring. If you're handicapped, they'll help you shop and can bring food to your car.
Food & Essentials
The pantry provides fresh produce, dry goods, protein, and perishable items. Visitors have noted that the food is fresh and of good quality.
How to Pick Up
The Wilkinson Center uses a client-choice pantry model, which means you walk through and select your own food items. The amount of food you receive is based on your household size. Volunteers are there to help you shop and restock shelves. The process doesn't take a very long time, and staff are on hand to assist throughout.
Additional Support
The Wilkinson Center offers a number of other services beyond the food pantry:
Benefits Screening and Referrals: In partnership with the North Texas Food Bank, Wilkinson Center helps people apply for SNAP (food stamps), TANF, Medicare Savings Plan, and Medicaid. A representative is on-site every Monday (except observed holidays) from 9AM to 12PM, and no appointment is needed.
Pantry2Go Mobile Food Truck: Pantry2Go is a mobile food truck that distributes produce, shelf-stable, and perishable items to families who can't easily get to the main pantry. It visits locations such as George Truett Elementary School and Dallas College West Dallas Center. If you'd like to request a Pantry2Go visit at your location, contact Teresa Hernandez at 972.961.1688.
Transforming Mind and Body (TMB) Program: This program supports clients in zip codes 75211, 75212, 75217, and 75227 with financial coaching, health and nutrition education, monthly cooking classes, mindfulness skills, and access to healthy foods. To book your first appointment, visit https://forms.office.com/r/YtrrENxcub or call 972-284-0378.
Senior Program: For adults ages 60 and over who live in Dallas County (no zip code restriction). Includes monthly Lunch and Learn workshops, the People and Nutrition (PAN) program that provides an extra 28 pounds of food per month (income guidelines apply), and one-on-one financial coaching. To enroll, contact Myra Collins at 972-284-0375.
Employment Services: Wilkinson Center offers job search support, resume help, and one-on-one employment coaching to help people build skills and find work.
Ways to Give
You can support the Wilkinson Center Food Pantry by donating food and personal hygiene items. Online donations can be made by credit or debit card at https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?id=1&name=E248267. You can also donate by check made payable to Wilkinson Center and mailed to 8344 E. RL Thornton Freeway, Suite 235, Dallas, TX 75228. For stock or asset transfers, call (972) 284-0304. You can also shop the Amazon Wish List for pantry needs at https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/O9EYLCSJVNQJ, link your Tom Thumb or Kroger Reward Card to Wilkinson Center, or host a food drive. For more information, contact Cathy McNally at 972-284-0302 or email cathy_mcnally@wilkinsoncenter.org.
How to Join the Team?
Volunteers are a vital part of Wilkinson Center's success. You can sign up for a Pantry Assistant shift (Monday through Thursday) to help greet clients, assist them with shopping, restock shelves, and pack food boxes. Groups of up to 10 people are welcome, and volunteers must be at least 12 years old with a supervising adult. Closed-toed shoes are required.
You can also volunteer as a Pantry2Go Assistant on Thursdays throughout Dallas County to help distribute food boxes from the mobile food truck. Volunteers for this role must be at least 18 years old, and groups of up to 6 are welcome.
To sign up for a food pantry volunteer shift, visit https://bit.ly/ServePantry. You can also download the Food Pantry Volunteer Paperwork at https://www.thewilkinsoncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/Food-Pantry-Volunteer-Paperwork.pdf. To ask about corporate or large group projects, contact the volunteer coordinator by filling out the application on the volunteer page.