Food Program

Eligibility Requirements

To receive a monthly food supplement from Bread for the City’s pantry, clients must be low income and live in Washington, DC. Eligible clients are residents of the District of Columbia who have incomes at 200% or less of the federal poverty line.

Bread for the City requires a one-time registration and an annual re-certification. Please let us know if you are unable to get the items on this list, and we will try to work with you. If you need help, we will do our best to assist you.

What to bring on your first visit:

You may visit either our NW or SE Center during normal operating hours:

Northwest Food Pantry
Monday – Thursday: 8:30 am – 5 pm
Friday: 8:30 am – Noon
Closed: Noon – 1 pm

Southeast Food Pantry
Monday – Thursday: 9 am – 5 pm
Friday: 9 am – Noon
Closed: Noon – 1 pm

Proof of positive identity:

• Photo ID
• Birth certificate
• Mail postmarked within 2 months
• Other documentation may occasionally be required in special cases.

**No one will be turned away from receiving services at Bread for the City because they do not have a photo ID.  If you don’t have an ID during your first visit to the pantry, you may be asked to answer a security question that can then be used as identification on future visits, if other identification continues to not be available.

Proof of address or access to cooking facilities in DC:

• Rental receipt with recent date
• Statement from DHS
• Lease (less than 2 years old)
• Persons living in a shelter must bring proof of access to kitchen
• Mail with client’s name and address
• Other documentation may occasionally be required in special cases. (If you live with someone who owns or rents a property, that individual may be asked to provide verification documents.)

Proof of Income:

• Pay stub/ receipt
• Letter from DHS (public benefits)/ SSI/ Social Security
• Photocopied checks
• Bank statements
• Other documentation may occasionally be required in special cases.

Proof of spouse and/or dependents, if applicable:

• Anything bearing child’s name and parent’s current address such as school records, medical bills, rental lease, or TANF documentation. (You will not be able to use the child’s birth certificate, medical card or social security card.)
• Apartment lease or letter from landlord
• Letter from DHS/ TANF documents
• Other documentation may occasionally be required in special cases.

Donate Healthy Food

Food gifts are accepted at Bread for the City’s Northwest and Southeast Centers during normal business hours. Please see our food guidelines to ensure your donation helps our clients enjoy a healthier diet. Donations may be delivered to the rear food pantry doors at either center, and an in-kind donation receipt will be provided for tax records.