← Back to library

Food pantries in Columbia SC and Richland County

Updated October 21, 2025 • 7 min read • 1,383 words
Focus Immediate Financial Assistance

Free food pantries, groceries and food banks in Richland County.

Low income families and people with no money in Richland County SC will receive free food from a local pantry. The distribution centers, which give away free groceries today, meals, and hygiene supplies, are focused on helping Columbia area residents that are facing a short term financial hardship. Find free food pantries and soup kitchens in Richland County South Carolina near you. Many of the the food banks are open today and also have drive thru services. If a family needs longer term support or access to government programs, then referrals can be provided to SNAP food stamps, EBT applications or other benefits including free vouchers from WIC for new or single moms in the area. The locations in Columbia as well as the county also partner with other services such as soup kitchens or Meals on Wheels from Agency on Aging centers. In addition to the free food, there may be other support such as financial help for bills or clothing. Many feeding sites also pass out free turkeys for Thanksgiving or serve Christmas meals to the working poor, low income or elderly in Richland County. So the agencies provide numerous resources for income qualified clients. While terms and conditions of each food bank will vary, in general they try to not turn anyone away and are open today. The locations try to find some solution to families facing hunger. Even if a Richland County free pantry can’t help in an emergency, they will direct the client to other assistance programs.

Where to get free food or hot meals in Columbia SC community

Catholic Charities of the Midlands – Richland County center The address is 809 Calhoun St, Columbia, SC 29201. Call (803) 399-9654 Supports immigrants, single moms, and families. Free food is from the pantry as well as Christmas meals and other help. Get free food boxes with pasta, non-perishable food, dairy, fresh or canned meat, cereal, bread and more.

The Cooperative Ministry

Main address is 3821 W Beltline, Columbia, SC 29204. Telephone - (803) 799-3853 The charity supports Richland County. Families in poverty as well as the working poor can use the food bank. Other aid includes free baby formula, diapers, a Meals on Wheels service, and educational support for people threatened with poor nutrition. They also help by offering nutritional workshops, applications to SNAP food stamps and more. Find more information on assistance programs from Cooperative Ministry . First Nazareth/Greater Waverly Location is 2311 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29204, Dial (803) 254-6232

Capital City Church

628 Muller Avenue, Columbia, SC 29203. Call (803) 771-0092

  • free food bank helps the poor, low-income homeless and unemployed in Columbia SC. Applicants will get free dry and canned goods, paper products, dairy, fruits or vegetables, and personal toiletries to those in need.

Bethlehem Baptist-Columbia

Address - 1218 Lyon Street, Columbia, SC 29204. Dial (803) 254-5651

Round Top Baptist

Address is 111 Round Top Court, Blythewood, SC 29016. Telephone - (803) 786-1329

We Care Center

Location is 1808 Chapin Rd, Chapin, SC 29036. Telephone: (803) 345-3244

Church Of Christ-Sunset Boulevard

1303 Sunset Boulevard, West Columbia, SC 29169. Phone: 803-765-1194

  • food pantry and soup kitchen are on site. Free groceries, vegetables, bread, meat, and other food items may be passed out.

Richland County Salvation Army

3024 Farrow Rd, Columbia, SC 29203. For hours, dial (803) 765-0260 In addition to free groceries, many services are offered. There is a thrift store that may have clothing, Christmas meals and gifts, and financial aid. The non-profit helps the working poor. They also offer job placement, Thanksgiving turkey dinners, and summer snacks to students too. Kids will get a free summer snack, or get help in applying for SNAP food stamps on Richland County South Carolina. More on Columbia SC food assistance programs from Salvation Army .

Hope Community Learning Center

1234 St. Andrews RD, Columbia, South Carolina 29210. Dial (803) 451-2139

Harvest Hope Food Bank

Location is 2220 Shop Road, Columbia, South Carolina 29201. Telephone – 803-254-4432 Referrals are given. They partner with agencies that help single moms and immigrants, local church run food pantries and soup kitchens, USDA commodity services and so much more.

Christ Central Columbia

2401 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Dial (803) 765-1998

Sharing God's Love

Address: 147 Friarsgate Blvd, Irmo, SC 29063. Phone - (803) 732-3188

  • free pantry has items such as Cereal (Hot & Cold), Bread, Milk, shelf stable items, bakery goods, milk, infant formula, fresh produce, and meat among other goods.

New St. Thomas Church

Location is 5709 Ames Road, Columbia, SC 29203. Main phone - (803) 691-0611

Oliver Gospel Mission

  • free soup kitchen for the homeless at 1100 Taylor Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Phone: (803) 254-6470

Asbury Memorial UMC

Main address is 1005 Asbury Dr, Columbia, SC 29209. Dial (803) 776-7237

  • food bank is on site at the church office. Providing food for those in need in the local community around the church and parish.

God's Storehouse

1731 Risley Rd, Columbia, SC 29223. Telephone - (803) 691-1622

  • food and clothing bank is on site. In a crisis, a free bag of food with non-perishable goods is available at most once every 3 months. Donations are needed. There is also a free drive thru pantry as well as Meals on Wheels programs.

Christ Central Concessions of H.O.P.E.

  • soup kitchen and food pantry are at 2018-B Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Dial (803) 851-4999

Brookland Baptist

1218 Bachelor Street, West Columbia, SC 29169. Dial (803) 397-3774

Kingdom Reapers Ministry

1563 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC 29209. Call (803) 602-5450

Mission Of Hope

1821 Middleton Street, Cayce, SC 29033. Dial (803) 603-0412 Programs include a food pantry and soup kitchen for a breakfast, lunch or dinner meal. Killingsworth Location of food bank is 1831 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Dial 803-771-6359 The charity can help in an emergency. Services range from shelter to a food pantry. Referrals are also given to SNAP food stamps and state of South Carolina programs.

Washington Street Soup Kitchen

1401 Washington St, Columbia, SC 29201. Call (803) 256-2417 The very low income and homeless can get a free hot meal, including a Turkey at Thanksgiving or holiday food

Christian Life Assembly

Location is 2700 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29210. Call (803)798-4488 St. Vincent de Paul St. Joseph Main address is 3600 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29205. Main phone - (803) 799-0761 Assistance programs include a free food bank, pantry, soup kitchen and thrift store. Everything from a free box of groceries to items such as toilet paper, napkins, soap or detergent is offered for the low-income in the Columbia South Carolina area.

Progressive Church

Main address is 2222 Barhamville Road, Columbia, SC 29204. Call (803) 254-6106. St. Peter’s Conference 1529 Assembly Street Columbia, SC 29201 Pantry phone – 803-779-0036 The church relies on volunteers. Food such as rice, cereal, and milk, and dairy is offered.

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Soup kitchen

1100 Sumter ST Columbia, South Carolina 29201 (803) 771-7300 Free breakfast is available on Sunday's.

Additional free food programs Richland County SC

Low-income families and people facing hunger can get free groceries from other pantries near them, or they can get help from government programs in Columbia SC. Other resources, such as the Emergency Food Assistance Program – TEFAP as well as surplus USDA Commodities are available. Or find the location of more food pantries, Meals on Wheels home delivery,

Feeding America Harvest Hope in Columbia

or feeding sites that are for low income families in Richland. Call 803.254.4432 for details.