Across the world, families are wrapping their mind around how to stay safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the pressing issues is the sudden lack of school-provided meals for children—and the extreme stress that this induces for many families who rely on them.

Additionally, many people are now without income, making purchasing food an extreme source of concern.

The good news is that many restaurants, food pantries, school districts and more are responding to the need.

This is in now way exhaustive, but it’s a start. Motherly will be updating this list frequently, so please send us any programs you hear of in your area to news@mother.ly.

Where to find free and low-cost food during the COVID-19 pandemic

Nationwide

  • Buy Nothing Groups: Facebook-based local groups where neighbors offer free items. Some are starting food sharing options
  • Burger King: 2 free kids meals with every adult meal purchase, starting March 23, 2020
  • Moe’s Southwest Grill: 1 free kids meal with every adult meal purchase
  • Meals on Wheels: Meals for senior citizens
  • Revolution Foods: Offers contingency meals for school and community relief sites
  • Salvation Army: Operations vary by state, many soup kitchens and food pantries available
  • Sheetz (Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia): Free “Meal bagz” including a turkey sandwich, chips and a drink available in stores
  • Sweetgreen: Free meals for healthcare workers
  • Yumi: Donating meals to Feeding America and taking meal requests at support@helloyumi.com
  • Online Food Pantries on Facebook

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Text FLKIDSMEALS to 211-211 to get updates.

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

  • Louisiana: Interactive map of free school lunch locations

Maine

Maryland

  • Baltimore: List of restaurant providing free meals

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

Text COVID to 692692 to get updates in New York City.

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

Wisconsin

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