Canned goods at the Northwest Mutual Aid Collective headquarters. (Photo: Rasheed Z. Ajamu)
As of Nov. 1, Pennsylvanians will lose access to SNAP due to the ongoing government shutdown.
Organizations and businesses are doing their part to meet community needs, and so are we. To keep neighbors informed about where to access food support, we’ve compiled a list of food options in the neighborhood and other accessible resources.
If you have any additions or updates, please send them to gtowninfohub@resolvephilly.org. We thank you ahead for being stewards of information and helping to keep our neighbors stable.
Community Fridges
Free food pantries and fridges, where neighbors can always get — and give — free food.
Germantown Community Fridge
19 E. High St. & 20 W. Armat St. | See their website.
OURchive Community Fridge
5424 Lena St.
Mama Tee Fridge
Winona St., between Tacoma St. and Pulaski Ave.
Recurring Giveaways
There are numerous recurring giveaways that occur around the neighborhood, whether in pantries, cupboards, or emergency bags, allowing neighbors to come and pick up free food. Always contact the site ahead of time to ensure distribution will happen.
Belfield Recreation Center
2109 W. Chelten Ave. | Every second and fourth Thursday, from 1–3 p.m. | Bring a bag and a cart.
Germantown Masjid
4943 Portico St. | Monday, Wednesday, & Saturdays, 8 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. | For seniors, emergencies, and those unable to pick up, call (267) 500-2981.
Holsey Temple
5305 Germantown Ave. | Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Learn more here.
Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministry
35 W. Chelten Ave. | Thursdays, 10 a.m. to noon | Learn more here.
Men Who Care of Germantown
180 E. Tulpehocken St. | Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Register in-person, at the site. | Email bruceford507@gmail.com or click here for more info.
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
5421 Germantown Ave. | Fridays, 9 to 10:30 a.m. | Call (215) 844-8544 for more info.
Germantown Friends Meeting
47 W. Coulter St. | Third Sunday of the month, noon to 3 p.m. | Call (215) 792-4979 for more info.
*You can arrive three hours prior to the event to secure your number/spot in line.
Enon Tabernacle-West
226 W. Coulter St. | Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to noon | Call (215) 276-7200 for more info.
St. Benedict Food Pantry
1940 E. Chelten Ave. | Mondays & Fridays, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. | Learn more here.
Family Support Circle, Inc.
2059 E. Chelten Ave. | Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4 to 7 p.m. | Learn more here.
Faith Chapel Church CDC
108 E. Price St. | Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to noon | Call (215) 849-0434 for more info.
Germantown SDA Church
W. Chelten Ave. & Wayne Ave. | Every third Saturday, 2 to 4 p.m. | Call (215) 849-6967 for more info.
New Journey Christian Center
1001 E. Chelten Ave. | Every Wednesday, from 12–2 p.m.
Fresh/Hot Meals
Face to Face Germantown
123 E. Price St.
Face to Face (123 E. Price St.) serves free hot meals from their dining room at 12:30 p.m. on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and opens their Fresh Choice Market every Thursday from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Learn more here.
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
5421 Germantown Ave.
A weekly open lunch to the public on Saturdays, from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. They also have a free senior lunch on the third Thursday of every month, starting at noon. Learn more here.
Thanksgiving Giveaways
As Thanksgiving approaches, here are some places offering free items to help you have a successful holiday.
Care Nest Homes Turkey Drive
5601 ½ Chew Ave. | Nov. 21, from 10 a.m. to Noon | More details to come.
Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway
53 E. Wister St. (Elders Place) | Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. | First come, first served. If you want a Thanksgiving meal instead, click here.
Turkey Giveaway
7200 Woolston Ave. (Simons Recreation Center) | Nov. 22, from 12–2 p.m. | First come, first served.
Turkey Drive
100 E. Johnson St. (Mallery Rumph Rec Center) | Nov. 23, from 12–3 p.m. | Free food and free haircuts.
Thanksgiving Community Dinner
6757 Chew Ave. (Pleasant Playground) | Nov. 24, at 6 until supplies last | One (1) to-go platter per person.
Thanksgiving Food Drive
6900 Stenton Ave. (Mt. Airy Community Fridge & Unitarian Universalist Church) | Nov. 25, at 6–7 p.m. | Bags and meals available. | Contact mtairypantry@gmail.com or (267) 415-6532 with questions.
6th Annual Community Friendsgiving
6001 Germantown Ave. (FUMCOG) | Nov. 26, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. | A hot meal for all. You can either dine in or take it to go.
Events
Nov. 1: Free Nutrition Workshop & Meal
Join the Church of the Revolution on Saturday, from 2–5 p.m., for a free community nutrition workshop and meal featuring easy, healthy recipes that promote wellness. Open to all, but registration is required to attend.
Nov. 15: Home for the Harvest
Join the Germantown Community Fridge stewards for a free, hearty meal. Both meat and vegetarian options are available. It happens from 12–2 p.m. at 6001 Germantown Ave. (FUMCOG).
Funds
Weavers Way Cooperative Food Fund
328 W. Chelten Ave.
The fund helps Weavers Way members who receive SNAP, WIC, or TANF benefits, whose benefits are affected by the federal shutdown. The fund offers weekly Easy Pay credits — up to $50 for one-person households and $125 for multi-person households — to cover groceries while benefits are paused. Community members can also donate at checkout or online to support their neighbors in need. Learn more here.
Food Finders
There are various food-finding tools available for residents within the city of Philadelphia. Call or check in with the specific sites before you go to confirm their services and hours of operation. Each site might have different eligibility requirements.
Other
Gopuff SNAP Relief
Gopuff users who have an EBT card linked to Gopuff get $50 in free SNAP-eligible groceries—two $25 codes (SNAPRELIEF1 from Nov. 1–15 and SNAPRELIEF2 from Nov. 16–30) with free delivery. There are limited redemptions per wave.
Aldi’s $40 Thanksgiving Bag
Aldi is offering a $40 Thanksgiving meal deal that includes everything needed to serve 10 people, featuring a 14-pound turkey, nine classic side dishes, and a pumpkin pie. Each item is sold separately but clearly marked in stores as part of the promotion, which runs through December 24. Shoppers can purchase the ingredients in-store or order online for pickup or delivery.
Your nearest Aldi is likely located at 6119 N. Broad St. in the Oak Lane area of the city or at 8200 Ogontz Ave. in Wyncote, PA. See qualifying items and more info here.
Enjoying what you’re reading? From now through Dec. 31, Germantown Info Hub is raising $14,500 — and every gift is matched dollar-for-dollar through NewsMatch. Your support helps us keep reporting with our neighbors, not just about them. Give here.