Food Help

basket full of groceries in middle of aisle

Families in our community who rely on SNAP benefits may face challenges due to the ongoing federal shutdown. 

United is the way we will ensure everyone is able to access food they need.

Regionwide
  • AEOA Senior Nutrition Services - 218-735-6832
    • For seniors 60+. Grocery delivery, meal delivery, and discounted meals at restaurants. 
    • Must register with AEOA to receive services: 1-800-662-5711 ext. 6899 or ss.nutrition@aeoa.org
  • Buddy Backpacks 
    • Food is sent home with students before weekends and holiday breaks
    • For pre-K - 12th grade students at-risk of going hungry.
    • To enroll, contact your student's school nurse!
Aurora
  • Aurora Food Shelf - 218-248-0216
    • Tuesdays 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
    • 203 S 2nd Street
    • Indoor shopping available or pick-up. Access once/month. 
  • Mesabi East School
    • 601 N 1st St W 
      • Food pantry in high school office.
    • Offering Thanksgiving meal boxes for Mesabi East community members. Sign up by November 21st. 
Babbitt
  • Babbitt Food Shelf- 218-827-2166
    • Food vouchers available.
    • Please call if you need assistance.
Biwabik
  • NorthRidge Community Credit Union Little Free Pantry
    • 222 Main Street (drive up access)
    • If you find this pantry empty, close to empty, or vandalized please email freepantry@nrccu.org.
Chisholm
  • Chisholm Food Shelf - 218-254-0045
    • Thursdays 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
    • 208 W Lake Street
    • Appointment required. Serves Balkan, Buhl, Chisholm, Kinney, and Side Lake. Delivery available if homebound.
  • VEMA Community & Family Resource Center - 218-231-1146
    • Tuesday (10 a.m. - 6 p.m.) and Thursday, Friday, Saturday (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
      • Closed November 1 to restock.
      • Delivery available with 24 hour notice.
    • 118 W Lake Street
Cook
  • Cook Community Food Shelf - 218-666-2715
    • 3rd Wednesday of the month 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
    • Behind St. Mary's Catholic Church - 124 5th Street SE
  • Ruby's Pantry - 218-674-0009
    • 2nd Thursday of the month 
    • St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Angora - 303 Vermilion Drive W
    • Receive a bundle of surplus grocery selections for a $25 contribution. No income or residency requirements.
    • Registration begins at 3:30 p.m.
      • Food bundles available 4:30 - 6 p.m.
Cotton
  • Old School Lives - 218-482-3005
    • 3rd Saturday of the month 5 - 6:30 p.m.
    • 9165 Highway 53
    • Free meal. Open to anyone. Dine-in or takeout.
Ely
  • Ely Area Food Shelf - 218-235-8527
    • 3rd Wednesday of the month 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
    • 15 West Conan Street
    • First-time shoppers are given a short registration from to complete. Eligibility is based on participation in support programs OR income below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
    • Food shelf is also open the Saturday following the 3rd Wednesday of the month for in-person shopping (8-11 a.m.)
      • Delivery available for home-bound people. Call 218-245-8527 to register.
    • Current shoppers who have lost SNAP benefits are eligible to receive an emergency food box 3-6 p.m. Friday November 7th. (Enter on Camp St. from Carefree Living.)
  • NorthRidge Community Credit Union Little Free Pantry
    • 1321 East Sheridan Street (walk-up access from road)
    • If you find this pantry empty, close to empty, or vandalized please email freepantry@nrccu.org.
  • Northwoods Partners - 218-365-8019
    • Wednesdays 12-4 p.m.
    • Grocery delivery for older adults in Ely area.  Must set up charge account with Zup's.
Eveleth
  • Ruby's Pantry - 651-674-0009
    • 4th Wednesday of the month 
    • United in Christ Lutheran Church - 8907 Minnesota Highway 37
    • Receive a bundle of surplus grocery selections for a $25 contribution. No income or residency requirements.
    • Registration begins at 3 p.m.
      • Food bundles available 3 - 5:30 p.m.
Floodwood
Hibbing
  • NorthRidge Community Credit Union Little Free Pantry
    • 4125 9th Ave. W. (drive up access)
    • If you find this pantry empty, close to empty, or vandalized please email freepantry@nrccu.org.
  • Salvation Army Food Shelf - 218-263-5096
    • Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 9 - 11:30 a.m. + Mondays and Wednesdays 1 - 2:30 p.m.
      • Fresh fruit and vegetable distribution 1st Wednesday and 3rd Thurday of every month starting at 1 p.m.
    • 107 W Howard Street
    • Appointment required. 
  • Salvation Army Free Hot Dinner - 218-263-5096
    • Monday - Friday (4 - 4:49 p.m.) and Sunday at 12 p.m.
    • 107 W Howard Street
  • Wesley United Methodist Church - 218-263-3653
    • Last Tuesday of every month 12 - 4 p.m.
    • 303 E 23rd Street
    • Community Caring Corner open to anyone in need of food, clothing, toiletries, or other essentials. No questions asked. 
Hoyt Lakes
Mountain Iron
  • Quad City Food Shelf - 218-749-1731
    • Wednesday and Thursday (drive-up) 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Tuesday (in-person by appointment) 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
    • 8367 Enterprise Drive N.
    • Serves residents of Virginia, Eveleth, Gilbert, Mt Iron, Britt, Iron, Cotton and some from Biwabik and surrounding areas.
       
Nashwauk
Nett Lake
  • Bois Forte Band of Chippewa Food Distribution - 218-757-3504
    • Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
      • Elders are delivered to on a monthly basis
      • The last working day of every month is closed for inventory. 
    • Bois Forte Food Distribution Center - 5316 St. Mary Drive
    • The Food Distribution program provides services to as many eligible participants within the service area, which includes the Vermilion sector of the Bois Forte Reservation. Program eligibility is based on income guidelines and deductions.
Tower
  • Tower Area Food Shelf - 763-528-5396
    • 3rd Tuesday of the month 2 - 5 p.m.
      • Or by appointment
    • The Timberjay Basement - 414 Main Street
Virginia
County-wide
  • Buddy Backpacks 
    • Food is sent home with students before weekends and holiday breaks
    • For pre-K - 12th grade students at-risk of going hungry.
    • To enroll, contact your student's school nurse!
Big Falls
  • Mobile Food Pantry Program - 218-336-2312
    • 3rd Thursday of the month 
    • 410 2nd St. NW
    • For those who meet the federal poverty income qualifications or are in crisis. You will need to provide number of people and income.
    • Food available 1:30 p.m. until supplies last.
Birchdale
  • Mobile Food Pantry Program - 218-336-2312
    • 3rd Thursday of the month 
    • 10370 MN-11
    • For those who meet the federal poverty income qualifications or are in crisis. You will need to provide number of people and income.
    • Food available 10:30 a.m. until supplies last.
International Falls
  • Koochiching County Food Access - 218-283-8020
    • Tuesdays and Thursdays 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
    • KCFA - 410 5th Ave.
    • Single page intake form required once/year. Must be at or beoe 300% of federal poverty level. Shoppers can shop up to twice/month.
  • Ruby's Pantry - 218-285-7225
    • 2nd Monday of the month
    • Backus Community Center - 900 5th St.
    • Receive a bundle of surplus grocery selections for a $25 contribution. No income or residency requirements.
    • Registration begins at 5 p.m.
      • Food bundles available 5-6:30 p.m.
  • Salvation Army Food Shelf - 218-283-3394
    • Tuesdays (10 a.m. - 12 p.m.) and Thursdays (1 - 4 p.m.)
    • Salvation Army - 1301 3rd Ave W
    • Appointment preferred. Crisis help also available.
Nett Lake
  • Bois Forte Band of Chippewa Food Distribution - 218-757-3504
    • Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
      • Elders are delivered to on a monthly basis
    • Bois Forte Food Distribution Center - 5316 St. Mary Drive
    • The Food Distribution program provides services to as many eligible participants within the service area, which includes the Vermilion sector of the Bois Forte Reservation. Program eligibility is based on income guidelines and deductions.
    • The last working day of every month is closed for inventory. 
Northome
  • Northome Community Food Shelf - 218-553-1594
    • 1st and 3rd Monday (9 a.m. - 12 p.m.) + 2nd and 4th Monday (2 - 5 p.m.) of the month
    • 12059 Main Street
    • Serves those within a 20-mile area of Northome.
    • Closed every fifth Monday.
Baudette
  • Lake of the Woods Food Shelf - 218-634-3295
    • 3rd or 4th Thursday of the month (Depending on Delivery Schedule)
    • Lighthouse Building - 106 2nd Street NE
    • By appointment only. Please bring your own bags.
    • Food available 3 - 5 p.m.

 

  • Ruby's Pantry - 218-634-2064
    • 1st Thursday of the month
    • First Lutheran Church - 236 15th Avenue Southwest
    • Receive a bundle of surplus grocery selections for a $25 contribution. No income or residency requirements.
    • Registration begins at 5 p.m.
      • Food bundles available 5-7 p.m.
         

Stock a Little Free Pantry

  • 222 Main Street, Biwabik
  • 1321 East Sheridan Street, Ely
  • 4125 9th Ave. W., Hibbing
  • 206 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Hoyt Lakes
  • 702 3rd Ave. S, Virginia
  • 921 17th Street S, Virginia

 

Donate

 

Volunteer

  • Buddy Backpacks 
    • Every $9 raised feeds one local child for a weekend. 
  • VEMA Resource Center
    • Looking for volunteers to assist with organizing, setting up spaces, sorting donations, and creating a welcoming environment for the families we serve. Whether you can lend a hand for a few hours or help regularly, your time and energy make a big difference.
    • Text or Call 218-231-1146 or email resource@vemamn.org to sign up.

 

Help us keep this list updated!

Find Food Resources Near You
Find Other Resources Near You
Orange Triangles