Editor's note: This story was originally published in 2022 and updated in 2023.
#ThisIsTucson recently compiled a list of places to get free turkeys and other food this Thanksgiving but with the season of giving right around the corner, we wanted to also create a list of places where you can donate food.Β
Keep in mind that many local churches and neighborhood centers also offer food pantries and may be looking for food donations, but itβs best to give them a call ahead of time.
Here are 15 places in Tucson to donate food, including pet food, this holiday season and beyond (listed in alphabetical order).
Campus Pantry
The University of Arizonaβs Campus Pantry is a food pantry for UA students and staff located in the student union. βThe goal of the UA Campus Pantry is to reduce food insecurity in our Wildcat Community,β according to their website.
Currently, they are taking donations of canned meats, grains, canned fruits and vegetables, coffee and more.Β
For more information and the complete list of donation items, check out their website.
Casa Maria Soup Kitchen
Delores Grayam fills lunch sacks with sandwiches, fruit and eggs at the Casa Maria Soup Kitchen on Dec. 21, 2012.
The Casa Maria Soup Kitchen located at 352 E. 25th St. is currently accepting donations of pinto beans, mayo, mustard, coffee, sugar, canned goods, fresh fruit and veggies, any kind of meat and tomato sauce. They are seeking food items that are suitable for a bagged lunch, according to their website. They're also looking for frozen turkeys to make turkey soup ahead of Thanksgiving.Β
For more information, visit their website.
Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona
Families crowd around to receive a hot plate of food after being dropped off at a hotel on the south side of Tucson from Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Dec. 24, 2018. Volunteers from Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona provided food and medical care to the families at the hotel and helped them make travel plans to reunite with family members within the United States.
The Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona offers food pantries for its Casa Alitas aid for migrant families program and its Pio Decimo Center. Β Donations are accepted at three locations in Tucson.
For more information, check out their list of donation items and their website.
Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
Different types of bread are placed in boxes at the end of the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizonaβs drive-thru food distribution at the food bank, 3003 S. Country Club Road, in Tucson on Jan. 18, 2022.
The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona has various locations across Southern Arizona to drop off non-perishable food items. The food bank works closely with many local organizations to help fight food insecurity in our community.
For a list of drop-off locations, visit their website.
GAP Ministries
The GAP Kitchen at GAP Ministries provides meals to people in need including the elderly and children. βOn average over 600 children are fed every week across 6 schools in the neediest areas of our community,β according to their website.
Currently, the GAP Kitchen is accepting donations for canned goods and sandwich- and quart-sized baggies.
For more information, visit their website.
Gospel Rescue Mission
People come to the Gospel Rescue Missionβs Center of Opportunity, 4550 S. Palo Verde Road, for a Christmas meal, on Dec. 18, 2019.
The Gospel Rescue Mission, 4550 S. Palo Verde Road, accepts non-perishable food donations year-round, in addition to clothing, hygiene and baby items, bed sets and furniture.
For their annual Thanksgiving banquet on Nov. 22, the nonprofit is seeking donations of turkeys and store-bought ready-to-eat pies.
For more information, check out their website.
IMPACT of Southern Arizona
Firefighter Jason Lowe with Golder Ranch Fire District sorts donated food during a food drive for IMPACT of Southern Arizona outside of the Oro Valley Hospital, on April 28, 2020.Β
IMPACT of Southern Arizona regularly accepts food donations from the community to help fight food insecurity in our area.Β Plus, they offer numerous other ways to help the community if you donβt have extra food to give.
For more information, visit their website.
Interfaith Community Services
Seri Boettcher, a volunteer, organizes a box of donated food items at the Interfaith Community Services Food Bank, 2820 W. Ina Road, on Sept. 2, 2020.
ICS has a brick-and-mortar food bank at their northwest location,Β 2820 W. Ina Road, and a mobile food bank that travels across Tucson to reach those in need. They accept food items such as canned and boxed goods year round.
βThe ICS Food Bank is the second largest provider of emergency food in Southern Arizona,β according to their website.
For more information or a list of needed items, check out their website.
Iskashitaa Refugee Network
Sardar Ahmed loads a crate of fruit into the van as members of the Iskashitaa Refugee Network finish up their task during one of their harvest day trips in Tucson on Jan. 11, 2019.
Since the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona no longer offers gleaning services, they recommend checking out the Iskashitaa Refugee Network if youβre searching for harvest help. The network also accepts fruit donations. To make an in-kind donation, fill out their online form and they will send you a drop-off date.
For more information, visit their website.Β
Little Free Pantries
A Little Free Library is temporarily converted into a Little Free Pantry stocked with toilet paper and other items on March 27, 2020 in the San Clemente neighborhood.
Youβve probably seen (or at least heard about) the Little Free Libraries around the city, but did you know Tucson also has Little Free Pantries? There are currently six Little Free Pantries across the area. Like the Little Free Libraries, itβs recommended that you take what you need and leave what you can.
For a list of Little Free Pantries in Tucson, check out this website.
Southern Arizona Animal Food Bank
Animal Food Donation Director David Zinke sorted dog food in the Southern Arizona Animal Food Bank on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021.Β
We can't forget about our furry friends! The Southern Arizona Animal Food Bank located at 6212 E. Speedway accepts donations of wet and dry dog and cat food. They also accept new or gently used animal supplies.Β
You can also donate pet food through another local organization, Codyβs Friends, which has donation stations at various pet clinics and businesses across Tucson.
For more information about the Southern Arizona Animal Food Bank, check out their website.
South Tucson Community Outreach
The South Tucson Community Outreach group offers free food boxes to anyone βfacing food insecurity for any reason living in south side Tucson,β according to their website.
To make a donation, fill out their donation form and someone from the group will reach out to schedule a drop-off time at their pantry.
For more information, visit their website.
Tucson Food Share
Tucson Food Share is an βentirely volunteer-run project that relies upon the labor and donations of countless participants to function. We operate by the principles of mutual aid, distributing food and other necessities without judgment to anyone who asks,β according to their website.
They are currently seeking peanut butter, jelly, canned meat or fish, canned soups, canned fruits and veggies, canned stew, condiments, sports drinks, bottled/canned juice and bottled water.
For more information, visit their website.
Tucson Neighborhood Food Pantry
The Tucson Neighborhood Food Pantry is an east-side establishment that hopes to βsupport and improve the quality of life for children, families, elderly and disabled,β according to their website. The food pantry is located at 5707 E. 22nd St.
They are currently accepting non-perishable food items.
For more information, check out their website.
Youth On Their Own
Volunteer Peggy Clark searches for beans among the stock being held in a closet converted into a storage pantry at the Youth On Their Own Mini Mart in 2018.
Youth On Their Own supports success and high school graduation of youth experiencing homelessness.
The organization, located at 1660 N. Alvernon Way,Β offers a βmini martβ for local youth to βshopβ and pick out free basic necessities such as hygiene products and food.
Currently, the mini mart is accepting donations of mac and cheese cups, dry pasta, pasta sauce (no glass jars!), canned fruit, shelf-stable milk and pet food. Individually wrapped items like fruit snacks and granola bars are also needed.
For more information or a list of needed items, visit their website.
Know of any other places or organizations where you can donate food? Send me an email at everdugo@tucson.com and we can update the list!
