DC
Soup Kitchens & Free Meals in Washington, DC: Hours & Schedule
Washington has 5 soup kitchens & free meals, plus 18 other free-food locations shown below. Filter by type or what's open, and call ahead to confirm hours.
- 23 places
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- Updated September 2026
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu: 8:30 AM – 5 PM · Fri: 8:30 AM – 1 PM ET
Photo ID Washington
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu: 9 AM – 5 PM · Fri: 9 AM – 12 PM ET
Photo ID All areas
Sun, Sat: 12 PM – 7:30 PM · Mon, Thu: 3 PM – 7:30 PM ET
District Of Columbia
Mon: 10 AM – 1 PM ET
Photo ID District Of Columbia
Sun: 1 PM – 2 PM ET
All areas
Call ahead for hours
All areas
Call ahead for hours
Washington
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri: 8 AM – 4 PM ET
Washington
Tue: 12 PM – 2 PM ET
Brightwood
Pantry: Open every day of the week. Kitchen (Lunch): Monday to Friday (Men required to attend 11:00 am support group meetings for lunch).
All areas
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu: 8:30 AM – 6 PM · Fri: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM ET
All areas
Call ahead for hours
All areas By appt
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri: 9 AM – 4 PM ET
Photo ID District Of Columbia
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri: 9 AM – 4 PM ET
Shaw
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri: 6:30 AM – 8 AM · Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri: 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM ET
All areas
2nd Thursday of each month · 10 AM – 2 PM • 4th Thursday of each month · 10 AM – 2 PM
Washington
Fri: 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM ET
Photo ID Metropolitan Washington Area
Sat: 10 AM – 12 PM ET
Photo ID All areas
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM ET
Photo ID Washington
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri: 9 AM – 1 PM ET
District Of Columbia
4th Wednesday of each month · 10 AM – 2 PM
Parish Area
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri: 8:30 AM – 11 AM ET
All areas
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri: 9 AM – 5 PM ET
Photo ID Shaw
None open then.
Washington, D.C., is the federal capital city of the United States and its only federal district. The directory lists 23 places to get free food here as of September 2026: 18 food pantries, 5 soup kitchens & free meals. Church of the Pilgrims - Open Table (2201 P Street NW) and DC Central Kitchen (425 Second Street, NW) are among them. Every listing is checked against public sources. We hide the ones we can't confirm, we say call ahead where hours aren't confirmed, and there are no ads, logins, or fees.
What to bring
- A photo ID, if you have one (many pantries don't require it)
- Proof of address, like a piece of mail (some ask, most don't)
- Bags, a box, or a cart to carry groceries home
- The number of people in your household, that's usually all they need
How it works in Washington
- Find a pantry on the map above that's open today
- Call ahead to confirm hours (they can change)
- Go during open hours; most are walk-in, no appointment
- Take what you need. There's no cost and no application
You're welcome here. Pantries are for anyone going through a hard stretch. No judgment.
What neighbors know
These places change. If you've been to a pantry in Washington, leave a quick note so the next person walks in prepared: what to bring, when lines form, how they treat folks.
No notes yet. Be the first to help someone out.
Open by day in Washington
Planning around a day off? Here's what's open each day in Washington. Call ahead to confirm.
Soup Kitchens & Free Meals open Monday in Washington
- Martha's Table: 9 AM – 4 PM
- Miriam's Kitchen: 6:30 AM – 8 AM
- Thrive DC: 8:30 AM – 11 AM
- Bread for the City: 8:30 AM – 5 PM
- Bread for the City - Southeast Center: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Capital Area Foodbank: 3 PM – 7:30 PM
- Central Union Mission - Food Bank: 10 AM – 1 PM
- Dc Central Kitchen, Inc.: 8 AM – 4 PM
- Goodwin Douglas Community Development Corporation: 8:30 AM – 6 PM
- Lutheran Church of the Reformation - Food Pantry: 9 AM – 4 PM
- Salvation Army - Social Service Office: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington - SE Office: 9 AM – 1 PM
- United Planning Organization - Shaw Community Service Center: 9 AM – 5 PM
Soup Kitchens & Free Meals open Tuesday in Washington
- Martha's Table: 9 AM – 4 PM
- Miriam's Kitchen: 6:30 AM – 8 AM
- Thrive DC: 8:30 AM – 11 AM
- Bread for the City: 8:30 AM – 5 PM
- Bread for the City - Southeast Center: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Dc Central Kitchen, Inc.: 8 AM – 4 PM
- Emory Beacon of Light - Food Pantry: 12 PM – 2 PM
- Goodwin Douglas Community Development Corporation: 8:30 AM – 6 PM
- Lutheran Church of the Reformation - Food Pantry: 9 AM – 4 PM
- Salvation Army - Social Service Office: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington - SE Office: 9 AM – 1 PM
- United Planning Organization - Shaw Community Service Center: 9 AM – 5 PM
Soup Kitchens & Free Meals open Wednesday in Washington
- Martha's Table: 9 AM – 4 PM
- Miriam's Kitchen: 6:30 AM – 8 AM
- Thrive DC: 8:30 AM – 11 AM
- Bread for the City: 8:30 AM – 5 PM
- Bread for the City - Southeast Center: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Dc Central Kitchen, Inc.: 8 AM – 4 PM
- Goodwin Douglas Community Development Corporation: 8:30 AM – 6 PM
- Lutheran Church of the Reformation - Food Pantry: 9 AM – 4 PM
- Salvation Army - Social Service Office: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington - SE Office: 9 AM – 1 PM
- St Anthony Catholic Church - Food Pantry: 10 AM (4th Wednesday)
- United Planning Organization - Shaw Community Service Center: 9 AM – 5 PM
Soup Kitchens & Free Meals open Thursday in Washington
- Martha's Table: 9 AM – 4 PM
- Miriam's Kitchen: 6:30 AM – 8 AM
- Thrive DC: 8:30 AM – 11 AM
- Bread for the City: 8:30 AM – 5 PM
- Bread for the City - Southeast Center: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Capital Area Foodbank: 3 PM – 7:30 PM
- Dc Central Kitchen, Inc.: 8 AM – 4 PM
- Goodwin Douglas Community Development Corporation: 8:30 AM – 6 PM
- Lutheran Church of the Reformation - Food Pantry: 9 AM – 4 PM
- North Capitol Collaborative Food Pantry: 10 AM (2nd Thursday)
- Salvation Army - Social Service Office: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington - SE Office: 9 AM – 1 PM
- United Planning Organization - Shaw Community Service Center: 9 AM – 5 PM
Soup Kitchens & Free Meals open Friday in Washington
- Martha's Table: 9 AM – 4 PM
- Miriam's Kitchen: 6:30 AM – 8 AM
- Thrive DC: 8:30 AM – 11 AM
- Bread for the City: 8:30 AM – 1 PM
- Bread for the City - Southeast Center: 9 AM – 12 PM
- Dc Central Kitchen, Inc.: 8 AM – 4 PM
- Goodwin Douglas Community Development Corporation: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Lutheran Church of the Reformation - Food Pantry: 9 AM – 4 PM
- Peoples Congregational United Church - Peoples Food Pantry: 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
- Salvation Army - Social Service Office: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington - SE Office: 9 AM – 1 PM
- United Planning Organization - Shaw Community Service Center: 9 AM – 5 PM
Soup Kitchens & Free Meals open Saturday in Washington
- Capital Area Foodbank: 12 PM – 7:30 PM
- Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ - Food Pantry: 10 AM – 12 PM
Soup Kitchens & Free Meals open Sunday in Washington
- Church of the Pilgrims - Open Table: 1 PM – 2 PM
- Capital Area Foodbank: 12 PM – 7:30 PM
Good to know
Which soup kitchens & free meals in Washington are open today?
It depends on the day. By day of week, Washington soup kitchens & free meals are open: Monday (13), Tuesday (12), Wednesday (11), Thursday (12), Friday (12), Saturday (2), Sunday (2). Each listing below shows its exact hours. Call ahead to confirm, especially around holidays.
Are there soup kitchens & free meals in Washington open on weekends?
Yes, 2 open Saturday and 2 open Sunday in Washington. Look for the Sat/Sun markers in the schedule below.
Where can I get emergency food in Washington today?
Most Washington soup kitchens & free meals take walk-ins during open hours. No appointment needed. For same-day help any time, call 211 (Oklahoma's free, confidential food-assistance line). The listings below are kept current and most serve anyone in need without income verification.
What do I need to bring to a food pantry in Washington?
Most Washington soup kitchens & free meals are open to anyone in need and don't require proof of income. It helps to bring a photo ID, proof of address if you have it (a utility bill or piece of mail), bags to carry food, and the number of people in your household. Requirements vary. Check each listing or call ahead.
Do I need an appointment, or can I walk in?
Most soup kitchens & free meals are walk-in during open hours. A few run on set monthly dates or by appointment. Those say so on their listing.
Which soup kitchens & free meals serve Washington, Oklahoma?
These soup kitchens & free meals serve Washington and nearby areas, including ZIP codes 20037, 20001, 20009, 20010, 20020, 20017. Anyone in need is welcome. You don't have to live in a specific ZIP.
Which soup kitchens & free meals in Washington are open on Monday?
13 soup kitchens & free meals in Washington are open Monday: Martha's Table, Miriam's Kitchen, Thrive DC, Bread for the City, Bread for the City - Southeast Center, Capital Area Foodbank, Central Union Mission - Food Bank, Dc Central Kitchen, Inc., and 5 more. See each listing's exact hours below and call ahead to confirm. Hours can change around holidays.
Which soup kitchens & free meals in Washington are open on Tuesday?
12 soup kitchens & free meals in Washington are open Tuesday: Martha's Table, Miriam's Kitchen, Thrive DC, Bread for the City, Bread for the City - Southeast Center, Dc Central Kitchen, Inc., Emory Beacon of Light - Food Pantry, Goodwin Douglas Community Development Corporation, and 4 more. See each listing's exact hours below and call ahead to confirm. Hours can change around holidays.
Which soup kitchens & free meals in Washington are open on Wednesday?
12 soup kitchens & free meals in Washington are open Wednesday: Martha's Table, Miriam's Kitchen, Thrive DC, Bread for the City, Bread for the City - Southeast Center, Dc Central Kitchen, Inc., Goodwin Douglas Community Development Corporation, Lutheran Church of the Reformation - Food Pantry, and 4 more. See each listing's exact hours below and call ahead to confirm. Hours can change around holidays.
Which soup kitchens & free meals in Washington are open on Thursday?
13 soup kitchens & free meals in Washington are open Thursday: Martha's Table, Miriam's Kitchen, Thrive DC, Bread for the City, Bread for the City - Southeast Center, Capital Area Foodbank, Dc Central Kitchen, Inc., Goodwin Douglas Community Development Corporation, and 5 more. See each listing's exact hours below and call ahead to confirm. Hours can change around holidays.
Which soup kitchens & free meals in Washington are open on Friday?
12 soup kitchens & free meals in Washington are open Friday: Martha's Table, Miriam's Kitchen, Thrive DC, Bread for the City, Bread for the City - Southeast Center, Dc Central Kitchen, Inc., Goodwin Douglas Community Development Corporation, Lutheran Church of the Reformation - Food Pantry, and 4 more. See each listing's exact hours below and call ahead to confirm. Hours can change around holidays.
Which soup kitchens & free meals in Washington are open on Saturday?
2 soup kitchens & free meals in Washington are open Saturday: Capital Area Foodbank, Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ - Food Pantry. See each listing's exact hours below and call ahead to confirm. Hours can change around holidays.
Which soup kitchens & free meals in Washington are open on Sunday?
2 soup kitchens & free meals in Washington are open Sunday: Church of the Pilgrims - Open Table, Capital Area Foodbank. See each listing's exact hours below and call ahead to confirm. Hours can change around holidays.
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