If you or someone you know is facing food insecurity, you’re not alone—and there are resources available to help. Whether you’re dealing with job loss, reduced income, or just need a little extra support this month, local food banks and food pantries in Polk County can provide free groceries and meals for your family.
Organizations like the United Way of Central Florida’s George W. Jenkins End Hunger Initiative and Feeding Tampa Bay offer mobile food pantry stops each week in Lakeland, Winter Haven, and throughout Polk County. In addition, many churches and nonprofit groups provide free food, soup kitchens, and operate food pantries on a regular basis.
Below, you’ll find a comprehensive list by city, a map and a calendar of food banks in Polk County to help you easily find a food pantry site near you.
What to Expect at a Mobile Food Pantry:
Mobile pantries provide free, pre-packaged bags or boxes of groceries. No ID, paperwork, or pre-screening is required—just show up during the scheduled time to receive food assistance.
Schedules can change, so please check directly with the organization before heading out. We’ve included links to the United Way of Central Florida and Feeding Tampa Bay websites for the most current food distribution schedules.
Other Community Resources + Assistance Programs
If you need support in other areas – mental health, housing, health care, financial stability, child care – we also have a list of Community Resources and Assistance Programs.
Volunteer at a Food Pantry
Volunteers are needed to help distribute food at each of these locations.
Visit the United Way website to learn more about volunteer opportunities at food distribution sites.
Visit the Feeding Tampa Bay website to sign up to volunteer.
Visit the Blessings & Hope website to volunteer at a Lakeland food pantry.
Polk County Food Distribution Schedule Calendar
Below is a list of regularly scheduled food bank giveaways in Polk County, coordinated by the United Way, Central Florida Health Care, and Feeding Tampa Bay. Use this list to find a food pantry open today.
- BE SURE TO CONSULT A CALENDAR. Remember that the stops follow each month’s calendar – for example, the 1st Tuesday may not fall after the 1st Monday if the week starts on a Tuesday.
- If there is a holiday, there is most likely not a food pantry that day. Links are provided under the schedule to check with food pantry organizers for updates.
1st Monday
9am – Pilgrim Rest Free Will Baptist Church
1052 N Kettles Ave., Lakeland, FL 33805
1st Tuesday
10am – Frostproof Care Center
17 Scenic Highway S, Frostproof, FL 33843
10am – Poinciana Community Park – 5109 Allegheny Rd, Poinciana, FL 34759
10am – Blessings & Hope
2150 E. Edgewood Dr., Lakeland, Florida (LINE UP AT HIGHLAND PARK CHURCH – 4730 Lakeland Highlands Rd, Lakeland, FL 33813 – held every Tuesday)
1st Wednesday
4:30pm – Crystal Lake Elementary
700 Galvin Dr., Lakeland, FL 33801
1st Thursday
8am – Boys and Girls Club – 315 Doctor M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Lake Wales, FL 33853
1st Friday
10am – Wahneta Baseball Park
2816 Rifle Range Rd, Winter Haven, FL 33880
2pm – Mulberry Community Service Center
306 Southwest 2nd Ave., Mulberry, FL 33860 (Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church)
2nd Monday
2nd Tuesday
10am – Blessings & Hope
2150 E. Edgewood Dr., Lakeland, Florida (LINE UP AT HIGHLAND PARK CHURCH – 4730 Lakeland Highlands Rd, Lakeland, FL 33813 – held every Tuesday)
2nd Wednesday
2pm – St. Mary’s Primitive Baptist Church – 2855 Orchid Dr, Haines City, FL 33844
5:30pm – RCMA Mulberry
4440 Academy Drive, Mulberry, FL 33860
2nd Thursday
7am – First Baptist Church Lake Alfred – 280 E Pierce St, Lake Alfred, FL 33850
10:30am – Ft Meade Recreation Area (HELP of Ft. Meade)
1639 Frostproof Hwy, Fort Meade, FL 33841
1pm – Church Service Center Bartow
495 E Summerlin St, Bartow, FL 33830
2nd Friday
10am – First Missionary Baptist Church
200 Ave R NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881
3rd Monday
9am – Pilgrim Rest Free Will Baptist Church
1052 N Kettles Ave., Lakeland, FL 33805
3rd Tuesday
10am – Frostproof Care Center
17 Scenic Highway S, Frostproof, FL 33843
10am – Poinciana Community Park – 5109 Allegheny Rd, Poinciana, FL 34759
10am – Blessings & Hope
2150 E. Edgewood Dr., Lakeland, Florida (LINE UP AT HIGHLAND PARK CHURCH – 4730 Lakeland Highlands Rd, Lakeland, FL 33813 – held every Tuesday)
3rd Wednesday
4:30pm – Crystal Lake Elementary
700 Galvin Dr., Lakeland, FL 33801
3rd Thursday
8am – Boys and Girls Club – 315 Doctor M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Lake Wales, FL 33853
3rd Friday
10am – Wahneta Baseball Park
2816 Rifle Range Rd, Winter Haven, FL 33880
2pm – Mulberry Community Service Center
306 Southwest 2nd Ave., Mulberry, FL 33860 (Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church)
4th Monday
4th Tuesday
10am – Blessings & Hope
2150 E. Edgewood Dr., Lakeland, Florida (LINE UP AT HIGHLAND PARK CHURCH – 4730 Lakeland Highlands Rd, Lakeland, FL 33813 – held every Tuesday)
4th Wednesday
2pm – St. Mary’s Primitive Baptist Church – 2855 Orchid Dr, Haines City, FL 33844
5:30pm – RCMA Mulberry
4440 Academy Drive, Mulberry, FL 33860
4th Thursday
7am – First Baptist Church Lake Alfred – 280 E Pierce St, Lake Alfred, FL 33850
10:30am – Ft Meade Recreation Area (HELP of Ft. Meade)
1639 Frostproof Hwy, Fort Meade, FL 33841
1pm – Church Service Center Bartow
495 E Summerlin St, Bartow, FL 33830
4th Friday
10am – First Missionary Baptist Church
200 Ave R NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881
Mobile Food Pantry Locations by City
Check for schedule changes and updates:
Food Banks in Lakeland
Crystal Lake Elementary – 700 Galvin Dr., Lakeland, FL 33801
1st & 3rd Wednesday at 4:30pm
Blessings & Hope – 2150 E. Edgewood Dr., Lakeland, Florida 33803
Every Tuesday from 10am – 12pm (website)
(LINE UP AT HIGHLAND PARK CHURCH – 4730 Lakeland Highlands Rd, Lakeland, FL 33813)
Pilgrim Rest Free Will Baptist Church – 1052 N Kettles Ave., Lakeland, FL 33805
1st & 3rd Monday at 9am
Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine – This Lakeland food pantry site has ended
Other food banks in Lakeland FL can be found at local churches or by calling 211.
Bartow Food Pantry
Church Service Center Bartow – 495 E Summerlin St, Bartow, FL 33830
2nd & 4th Thursday at 1pm
Fort Meade Food Bank
Fort Meade Outdoor Recreation Area (HELP of Ft. Meade) – 1639 Frostproof Hwy, Fort Meade, FL 33841
2nd & 4th Thursday at 10:30am / 11am
Frostproof Food Bank
Frostproof Care Center – 17 Scenic Highway S, Frostproof, FL 33843
1st & 3rd Tuesday at 10am
Haines City Mobile Food Pantries
St. Mary’s Primitive Baptist Church – 2855 Orchid Dr, Haines City, FL 33844 (hosted by Personal Finance Center)
2nd & 4th Wednesday at 2pm
Lake Alfred Food Pantry
First Baptist Church Lake Alfred – 280 E Pierce St, Lake Alfred, FL 33850
2nd & 4th Thursday at 7am
Lake Wales Food Pantry
Boys and Girls Club – 315 Doctor M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Lake Wales, FL 33853
1st & 3rd Thursday at 8am
Mulberry Food Pantries
Mulberry Community Service Center – 306 Southwest 2nd Ave., Mulberry, FL 33860 (located at Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church)
1st & 3rd Friday at 2pm
RCMA Mulberry – 4440 Academy Drive, Mulberry, FL 33860
2nd & 4th Wednesday at 5:30pm
Poinciana / Kissimmee Mobile Food Pantries
Poinciana Community Park – 5109 Allegheny Rd, Poinciana, FL 34759
1st & 3rd Tuesday at 10am
Winter Haven Food Pantries
First Missionary Baptist Church – 200 Ave R NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881
2nd & 4th Friday at 10am
Wahneta Baseball Park – 2816 Rifle Range Rd, Winter Haven, FL 33880
1st & 3rd Friday at 10am
Tabernacle of Praise – 1302 33rd Street NW, Winter Haven
2nd & 4th Monday at 10am
Auburndale Food Pantries
Central Assembly of God Auburndale – This site has ended. Check the map for a food pantry near you.
Polk City Food Bank
Donald Bronson Community Center in Polk City – This site has ended. Check the map for food banks near you.
Map – Find a Food Pantry Near You
Church Food Pantries in Lakeland FL + Polk County FL
There are many churches and community organizations providing assistance and food resources on a weekly basis in our community. To find a church food pantry near you, visit the Feeding Tampa Bay website, select Find a Food Pantry Near You, and search using your zip code. Please note that some organizations do require advance registration.
As food donations continue to fluctuate, please know that different items will be available at different times. Unfortunately, during this time the food banks near you cannot guarantee specific food items or categories. The Feeding Tampa Bay team continues to source whatever food they can and they remain committed to providing a well-rounded box/bag of food for you and your family.
To learn more about the United Way of Central Florida or the George W. Jenkins End Hunger Initiative visit https://uwcf.org/initiatives/endhunger/.
Community Resource Guide
Check out our Community Resources Guide for Lakeland + Polk County to find places to volunteer and donate, community assistance, foster care, and more.
