We recognize that over the past few years, many families in our community have been impacted by layoffs, reductions in work hours, the pandemic, and changes to your income. There are food pantries and support systems in place to help at an unprecedented time like this. It is ok to need help.
The United Way of Central Florida’s George W. Jenkins End Hunger Initiative and Feeding Tampa Bay have weekly Mobile Food Pantry stops in Lakeland, Winter Haven, and across Polk County. Other community organizations are also providing weekly food assistance and have food banks in Lakeland and across the county. Below you’ll find a master list of Polk County Food Pantry times and locations, as well as a map to help find a food bank near you.
If you are in need of food, visit a mobile food pantry location on the set day and time to pick up a pre-packaged box or bag of groceries, free of charge. They do not require ID, papers, or pre-screening to obtain free food at a Mobile Pantry.
Please note, due to rapidly changing circumstances during this time, mobile pantries can be canceled without much notice. Links are provided to check directly with the source, we are not typically notified about any schedule changes.
Check the United Way of Central Florida Website, Central Florida Health Care, or Feeding Tampa Bay Website for schedule changes.
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.
Polk County Food Pantry Schedule
Below is a list of regularly scheduled food pantries in Polk County, coordinated by the United Way, Central Florida Health Care, and Feeding Tampa Bay. Use this list to find a free food giveaway 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
11am – 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
10am – B Street Community Service Center Lake Wales
230 B Street, Lake Wales, 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
1st Saturday
9:30am – Central Assembly of God Auburndale
601 Lemon St., Auburndale, FL 33823
2nd Monday
9am – Multiply Christian Church
3900 Lake Blue Dr. Winter Haven, FL 33881
2nd Tuesday
11am – Blessings & Hope
2150 E. Edgewood Dr., Lakeland, Florida (LINE UP AT HIGHLAND PARK CHURCH – 4730 Lakeland Highlands Rd, Lakeland, FL 33813 – held every Tuesday) 12pm – Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine – 600 W. Peachtree Street, Lakeland, FL 33815 Ended Feb 2024
2nd Wednesday
2pm – Trinity Worship Center International Ministries
2795 N. 10th St., Haines City, FL 33844
5:30pm – RCMA Mulberry
4440 Academy Drive, Mulberry, FL 33860
2nd Thursday
11am – Peace River Park (HELP of Ft. Meade)
1638 US Hwy 98 E., Fort Meade, FL
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
2nd Saturday
9am – Donald Bronson Community Center in Polk City
124 Bronson Trail, Polk City, FL 33868
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
11am – 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
10am – B Street Community Service Center Lake Wales
230 B Street, Lake Wales, 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
3rd Saturday
9:30am – Central Assembly of God Auburndale – 601 Lemon St., Auburndale, FL 33823
4th Monday
9am – Multiply Christian Church
3900 Lake Blue Dr. Winter Haven, FL 33881
4th Tuesday
11am – 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 – Trinity Worship Center International Ministries
2795 N. 10th St., Haines City, FL 33844
5:30pm – RCMA Mulberry
4440 Academy Drive, Mulberry, FL 33860
4th Thursday
11am – Peace River Park (HELP of Ft. Meade)
1638 US Hwy 98 E., Fort Meade, FL
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
4th Saturday
9am – Donald Bronson Community Center
124 Bronson Trail, Polk City, FL 33868
Last Monday
Last Tuesday
12pm – Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine Ends Feb 2024
600 W. Peachtree Street, Lakeland, FL 33815
Last Wednesday
Last Thursday
Last Friday
Last Saturday
Mobile Food Pantry Locations by City
Check for schedule changes and updates:
Lakeland Food Pantries
Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine – 600 W. Peachtree Street, Lakeland, FL 33815
2nd & last Tuesday at 12pm
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 11am – 1pm and every 3rd Saturday 10am-12pm
(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
Other food banks in Lakeland FL can be found at local churches or by calling 211.
Auburndale Food Pantries
Central Assembly of God Auburndale – 601 Lemon St., Auburndale, FL 33823
1st & 3rd Saturday at 9:30am
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
Bartow Food Pantry
Church Service Center Bartow – 495 E Summerlin St, Bartow, FL 33830
2nd & 4th Thursday at 1pm
Winter Haven Mobile 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 10 am
Multiply Christian Church – 3900 Lake Blue Dr. Winter Haven, FL 33881
2nd & 4th Monday at 9am
Polk City Food Pantries
Donald Bronson Community Center in Polk City – 124 Bronson Trail, Polk City, FL 33868
2nd & 4th Saturday at 9 am
Fort Meade Food Bank
Peace River Park (HELP of Ft. Meade) – 1638 US Hwy 98 E., Fort Meade, FL
2nd & 4th Thursday at 11am
Frostproof Food Bank
Frostproof Care Center – 17 Scenic Highway S, Frostproof, FL 33843
1st & 3rd Tuesday at 10am
Lake Wales Food Pantries
B Street Community Service Center – 230 B Street, Lake Wales, 33853
1st & 3rd Thursday at 10 am
Haines City Mobile Food Pantries
Trinity Worship Center International Ministries – 2795 N. 10th St., Haines City, FL 33844
2nd & 4th Wednesday at 2pm
Map – Find a Food Pantry Near Me
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.