The government shutdown has created unexpected challenges for many families, and we know how stressful that can be. Macaroni KID Downtown Denver is here to help make things a little easier by connecting you with local resources and support. We’ve rounded up places offering free food for families and pets (yes, your furry friends are included 🐶🐱), plus links to organizations providing additional assistance beyond food. And if you’re in a position to lend a hand, you can volunteer or donate to help others in need at all of the places listed below. Together, we can lift each other up through this tough time.
🥕 School, Library and County Food Programs
All Colorado schools districts offer FREE breakfast and lunch to ALL students during the school year when school is in session. All students qualify and no application is required.
Denver County Tasty Food
Denver invites youth, ages 3–18, to enjoy breakfast, lunch, supper and/or a nutritious snack. Tasty Food meals include up to five food groups that are low in fat and prepared fresh. No ID or registration required—just show up and eat. And YES...you can bring a friend, or two, or three, or more! Saturday meals will be available from November 1, 2025, through January 3, 2026.
Find a location near you: Tasty Food
Denver Public Libraries
We are distributing healthy food boxes full of fresh produce and pantry items for households with youth 18 and under.15 locations are distributing healthy snacks to youth 18 and under. For snack distribution hours, contact any of these branch locations
Find a location near you: Healthy Food For Denver's KIds
🥫 Food Banks
Many food banks require a photo ID and proof of residence. Please call in advance to determine what is required and to confirm location and hours. This information is subject to change.
Bienvenidos Food Bank | 3810 Pecos Street, Denver 80211
Anyone in need of food is free to come visit us weekly. We’re proud to provide healthy, nutritious food whenever we are open. No appointments are necessary. Just come on in, fill out our walk-in registration, and you’ll be good to go. Our team is here to support you, and we understand that sometimes life can be difficult. Our mission is to ensure that you and your family have access to nourishing food.
We primarily serve our North Denver community (80211, 80212, 80204, 80216, or 80221), but all are welcome.
Thurs: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm & 3:30 – 5:30 pm
City of Denver | Multiple Locations
Interactive map of multiple locations and times. Follow the link to the map to find a location near you.
Community Pop Up Food Shares | Multiple Locations
Kaizen Food Rescue is a grassroots BIPOC food share collective that was created by a refugee in 2019. It is led by those who are facing food insecurity. We believe healthy food should be accessible to all. Join us!
Multiple locations, days and times
Community Ministry | 1755 S Zuni St, Denver, 80219
Serving the following zip codes: 80204, 80219, 80223, 80236 and 80227 (Denver County)
Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and Tuesday from 1-4:00 p.m. | Wednesday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Denver Inner City Parish | 1212 Mariposa Street, Denver, 80204
Our Food Pantry operates on a client-choice model. When participants enter the Pantry, they choose the items that work best for them from each section (dry and canned goods, produce, meat, dairy, and bakery). There are limits on items in each section based on the selection we have each week. No ID required.
Tuesday: 11:30 am - 2:30 pm | Wednesday: 4 pm - 7 pm | Thursday: 2 pm - 4 pm | Friday: 10 am - 1 pm | First Saturday of Every Month: 9 am - 12 pm
Food Bank of the Rockies | Multiple Locations
Days and times vary by location
Metro Caring | 1100 E. 18th Ave. Denver, 80218
Our Fresh Foods Market is a grocery store-style market with nutritious, culturally specific foods available to our community at no cost. Appointments are required, but you do not need any identification, proof of need, or documentation to make a shopping appointment.
Call to set up a shopping appointment at 303-860-7200 or make an appointment online.
We Don't Waste Mobile Food Markets | Multiple locations
The Mobile Food Market is a monthly opportunity where everyone in need can come to shop for FREE food. Attendees are able to select the items that they want and need. We cannot guarantee specific food items ahead of time, but will have a selection of produce, dairy, proteins, bakery products, and shelf-stable products. The Market is free and open to everyone!
🦴 Pet Food Pantries
There are several pet food pantries that provide free pet food to families. If you are in need of pet food, please visit one of the sites below. Pets provide much needed love and companionship and we want to keep families together with their pets.
Bienvenidos Food Bank | 3810 Pecos Street, Denver 80211
First Thursday (morning only) of the month from 10:00am - 11:30am.
Cat Care Society | 5787 W 6th Ave, Lakewood, CO 80214 |303-239-9680
Food Bank: First and third Saturday of every month 10am - 12pm | Office: Thursday-Monday 12pm-6pm
Colorado Pet Pantry | Multiple Locations
You are eligible to receive pet food from the Colorado Pet Pantry every two months no matter the location. (You can only go to one location every two months).
Pet Food Bank days and times differ by location, check out the event calendar for a pet food bank near you.
Humane Colorado Pet Assist | info@humanecolorado.org | 303-751-5772
Provides temporary housing for pets and owners in need.
Enter your city, state and zip code on the website for pet assistance near you.
Additional Resources
Helpful Apps to download (All apps available for Android and Apple users)
- Flashfoods
- Flip - Apple Store and Google Store
- GoPuff - Website and App
- Plentiful
- Too Good To Go
Find additional resources for other needs that your family may have at the following links.
- http://kidsfoodfinder.org/
- https://www.hungerfreecolorado.org/
- https://peak.my.site.com/peak/s/peak-landing-page?language=en_US
- https://www.foodbankrockies.org/
- https://www.coloradocoalition.org/
- https://doubleupcolorado.org/ - Get free fruits and vegetable with your SNAP benefits
- https://www.211colorado.org/ - Assistance for food , shelter, childcare and more
- https://findhelp.org/ - Enter your zip code
- https://feedingcolorado.org/find-food/ - Helps locate food pantries in your area
