Suffolk County Food Pantries & Soup Kitchens: Find Food Assistance Near You

by Shaughnessy Dusling

Food insecurity is a daily reality for thousands of families across Long Island. Whether you are dealing with a government shutdown, a delay in your SNAP benefits, or simply trying to stretch your budget, knowing where to find a local food pantry or soup kitchen can make all the difference.

This guide highlights resources in Suffolk County, focusing on the communities around Stony Brook (11790) and Holbrook (11741).

It can help you search for a food pantry near Stony Brook NY, a food pantry near Holbrook NY, or any other food pantry on Long Island when you need assistance.

Why Food Pantries Matter

Food pantries provide supplemental groceries and hygiene items at no cost to individuals and families facing food insecurity. They serve as a lifeline during tough times, especially when federal assistance such as SNAP is delayed or insufficient. By visiting a pantry, you can pick up nutritious items to cook at home and reduce the pressure on your budget. Many pantries also offer referrals to social services, ensuring you receive comprehensive support.

Key Benefits

Local access: Most pantries are located in neighborhoods, making it easy for residents to reach them without long commutes.
Flexible schedules: Many offer evening or weekend hours to accommodate work and school commitments.
Confidential assistance: Food pantry volunteers treat all visitors with respect. You’ll never be asked for payment, and personal information is kept private.

Food Pantries in Suffolk County

The table below highlights food pantries serving northern and central Suffolk County. Always call ahead to confirm hours, as schedules may change during holidays or emergencies.

Food Pantry & Location	Phone	Hours & Details
Stony Brook University Food Pantry – Stony Brook Union, Suite L‑20, Stony Brook	631‑632‑4956	Open Monday–Friday 11 a.m.–3 p.m.. Provides supplemental food and supplies for students, staff and faculty; visitors should bring a Stony Brook ID
International Baptist Church Food Pantry – 1266 North Country Road, Stony Brook	631‑689‑7660	Call ahead for hours; the pantry serves the 11790 community
Abundant Life Church of God Food Pantry – 440 Furrows Road, Holbrook	631‑588‑7704	Open Sunday 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. & 6–8:30 p.m.; Wednesday 7:30–9 p.m.
Calvary Chapel Food Pantry – 1680 Railroad Street, Holbrook	631‑580‑3055	Friday 5–7 p.m.
St. John’s Lutheran Food Pantry – 1675 Coates Avenue, Holbrook	631‑588‑6050	By appointment only; call to schedule
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Food Pantry – 315 Lake Shore Road, Lake Ronkonkoma	631‑588‑1888	Open Thursday 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Lighthouse Mission Mobile Pantry – 1543 Montauk Highway, Bellport	631‑758‑7584	Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.–2 p.m.. Lighthouse Mission operates Long Island’s largest mobile pantry and offers food, clothing and hope

Soup Kitchens Offering Hot Meals

Soup kitchens provide free, ready‑to‑eat meals that can be eaten on site or taken home. They are perfect for anyone who needs a hot meal immediately. Below are several soup kitchens serving northern and central Suffolk County.

Soup Kitchen & Location	Phone	Serving Hours	Source
Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen – St. James Church, 429 Route 25A, Setauket	631‑941‑4141	Sunday 2–3 p.m.; hot meals are available to gostjamessetauket.org.	St. James Church (Our Daily Bread)stjamessetauket.org
Friends Kitchen – Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 716 Route 25A, Rocky Point	631‑744‑9355	Thursday 5 p.m. (doors open at 4:30 p.m.); dinner served with help from community volunteersthefishchurch.org.	Friends Kitchen websitethefishchurch.org
Shepherd’s Table – St. Joseph Parish, 45 Church Street, Ronkonkoma	Contact parish office	Fridays at 5 p.m.; volunteers begin preparing food at 3 p.m. and welcome all who are hungrystjosephronkonkoma.org.	St. Joseph Parish ministriesstjosephronkonkoma.org
Mercy Soup Kitchen – 17 South 20th Street, Wyandanch	631‑358‑9917	Monday–Friday 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.; serves nutritious hot lunches every weekday in a welcoming environmentmercysoupkitchen.org.

How to Find More Food Resources

These listings represent some of the many food programs across Suffolk County. To find additional resources:

Use Island Harvest’s “Food Locator” – Text your ZIP code to 631‑450‑3775 and receive a customised list of nearby pantries and soup kitchensislandharvest.org. This is helpful if you’re searching for a local food pantry in another town.
Contact 211 – Dial 2‑1‑1 or visit 211’s website for a searchable database of food assistance programs, rental assistance and other support services.
Follow social media updates – Many pantries and soup kitchens post last‑minute schedule changes or special events on their Facebook and Instagram pages.

Tips for Visiting Food Pantries & Soup Kitchens

Call ahead – Always confirm hours, as schedules can change during holidays, storms or emergencies.
Bring identification – Some pantries (such as university-based programs) request ID cards for verificationstonybrook.edu. If you don’t have one, ask whether there are alternative ways to access services.
Arrive early – Food supplies may run out, especially during busy times. Arriving near opening time increases your chances of receiving assistance.
Ask about additional services – Many organizations provide referrals for health care, housing, job training or assistance replacing SNAP benefits.

Finding a food pantry on Long Island or a food pantry near Stony Brook NY doesn’t have to be difficult. By leveraging the resources listed above and sharing them with those around you, you can make sure no one in our community goes hungry. Whether you need help during a crisis or want to support your neighbours, remember that these pantries and soup kitchens exist because of generous volunteers and donors. If you have the means, consider donating food, funds or time. Together we can ensure that everyone has access to healthy meals.