STROUDSBURG, PA — The holidays can be tough for families struggling to make ends meet. But across the Poconos and northeastern Pennsylvania, churches, food pantries, and community organizations are stepping up to make sure no one goes hungry this Christmas.

Whether you need a hot meal on Christmas Day or groceries to prepare your own holiday dinner, resources exist in every corner of the region.

Need help fast? Dial 2-1-1 from any phone, text your zip code to 898-211, or search online at pa211.org. The service is free, confidential, and available 24/7 in 240 languages.

Hot Meals on Christmas Day

Looking for a place to sit down and eat on December 25? These organizations serve hot meals. Always call ahead to confirm Christmas Day hours.

Monroe County

Salvation Army – East Stroudsburg
226 Washington Street, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
570-421-3050
Coverage: East Stroudsburg, Stroudsburg, Delaware Water Gap, Smithfield Township, Stroud Township, parts of Pocono Township

Pike County

Ecumenical Food Pantry – Free Community Lunch
Good Shepherd Church Parish Hall, corner of W. Catharine & 5th Streets, Milford
570-618-1568
Call for Christmas Day availability

Wayne County

Salvation Army – Honesdale
323 Tenth Street, Honesdale, PA 18431
570-352-3435 or 570-479-6375
Regular Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. (by appointment)
Coverage: Wayne County residents

Wallenpaupack Brewing Company – Free Kids Meals
73 Welwood Avenue, Hawley
Thursday–Monday, 12–9 p.m.
Free kids’ meals year-round

Lackawanna County

Keystone Mission – Scranton
540 Providence Road, Scranton, PA 18503
570-871-4795
keystonemission.org
Breakfast and lunch served daily at the Innovation Center

St. Francis of Assisi – Scranton
500 Penn Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509
570-343-6400
Take-out meals: 7 days a week, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.

Salvation Army – Scranton
500 S. Washington Avenue, Scranton, PA 18505
570-344-9878
Message and a Meal: Thursday–Monday at 5:25 p.m.
Coverage: Inner City Scranton and Wilkes-Barre

Luzerne County

Keystone Mission – Wilkes-Barre
290 Parkview Circle, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
570-871-4795
Hot food served: Friday–Monday, 3–5 p.m.

How to Help

If you’re in a position to give this holiday season, every pantry listed accepts donations. The regional food banks can turn $1 into multiple meals.

Donate Money

Second Harvest Food Bank (serves Monroe, Pike, Wayne, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton counties)
Website: shfblv.org
Phone: 610-434-0875
Address: 6969 Silver Crest Road, Nazareth, PA 18064

Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank (serves Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna, Wyoming counties)
Website: givefood.org
Phone: 570-826-0510

Donate Food

Holy Trinity Lutheran Food Pantry in Dingmans Ferry is accepting holiday donations:

• Turkeys and hams
• Stuffing and gravy
• Cranberry sauce
• Canned vegetables
• Pie crust and pie filling
• Potatoes, carrots, onions
• Apples and oranges

Drop off at 103 Delaware Crest, Dingmans Ferry or call 570-828-7411.

Wayne County Food Pantry accepts donations by mail:
323 Tenth Street, Honesdale, PA 18431

Volunteer

Volunteers are always needed to sort food, pack boxes, and deliver meals. Contact your local food bank to sign up:

• Second Harvest: shfblv.org
• Weinberg Food Bank: givefood.org or 570-826-0510
• Monroe County Meals on Wheels: 570-424-8794

What to Bring

Most food pantries require documentation. Here’s what to have ready:

Photo ID

• PA driver’s license or state ID

Proof of Residency

• Current utility bill
• Lease agreement
• Property tax statement
• No PO boxes accepted at most locations

Proof of Income

• Recent pay stubs (4 weekly or 2 bi-weekly)
• Benefits statement from Public Assistance
• Social Security letter
• Unemployment documentation

For Families with Children

• Birth certificates for all children under 18
• Custody papers if applicable

Additional Info Some Pantries Request

• Names of all household members
• Dates of birth
• Last four digits of Social Security numbers

Some pantries have income guidelines; others serve anyone in need. Always call ahead to confirm requirements for your specific location.

Christmas Food Packages by County

These pantries provide groceries so you can prepare your own holiday meal at home. Many offer enhanced Christmas packages with turkeys, hams, and holiday staples.

Monroe County

Salvation Army – East Stroudsburg
226 Washington Street, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
570-421-3050 ext. 116 (Jill Brink) or ext. 120 (Candi Miller)
Monthly Food Pantry: 4th Thursday, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. (register 2 weeks in advance)
Coverage: East Stroudsburg, Stroudsburg, Delaware Water Gap, Smithfield, Stroud, parts of Pocono Township

Lighthouse Full Gospel Church
700 Hammond Lane, Stroudsburg
570-420-8196
Hours: 1st & 3rd Tuesday, 4–6 p.m.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church – Tannersville
570-629-1992
Hours: Tuesdays, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. (drive-thru)

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church – Smithfield
Craig Meadows Road, East Stroudsburg
570-223-9422
Hours: 1st Thursday, 9:30 a.m.–12 p.m.

Common Ground Ministries
Desaki Restaurant, 2054 Route 611, Swiftwater
570-801-2699
Hours: 4th Sunday, 1–2 p.m.

Pocono Mountain Ecumenical Hunger Ministry
Coolbaugh Municipal Building, 5570 Municipal Drive/Route 611, Tobyhanna
Hours: 1st Wednesday & 1st Saturday, 9–11 a.m. (drive-thru)
Coverage: Pocono, Coolbaugh, Paradise Townships

Top of the Mountain Ecumenical Network (Five Loaf House)
133 Firehouse Road, Pocono Pines
570-646-7456 or 570-646-9181
Hours: 2nd Monday, 8:30 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1–2 p.m.
Coverage: Coolbaugh, Tobyhanna, Tunkhannock townships

Jo’s Food Pantry – Light of World Church
114 Academy Drive, Minisink Hills
570-242-3663
Hours: 1st Friday, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
Coverage: Monroe & Pike County residents

Mission of Love and Hope Food Bank
5224 Milford Road, Suite 150, East Stroudsburg
570-702-9958
Hours: Every other Friday, 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network (PVEN)
Sciota
570-992-3136
Hours: Tuesdays, 9–11:30 a.m.; 2nd Saturday, 9–11:30 a.m.
Coverage: Monroe County’s West End

Monroe County Meals on Wheels (homebound delivery)
9 N. 9th Street, Stroudsburg
570-424-8794
monroemeals.org

Pike County

Ecumenical Food Pantry – Milford
321 5th Street, Milford
570-618-1568
ecumenicalfoodpantry.org
Hours: Fridays, 12–1 p.m. and 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Enhanced Christmas packages available

Holy Trinity Lutheran Food Pantry
103 Delaware Crest, Dingmans Ferry
570-828-7411

Bushkill Outreach Food Pantry
Lehman Township Community Park, 168 Lehman Park Road, Bushkill
570-588-0660

AGAPE Food Pantry
300 Avenue H, Matamoras
570-491-4727
Hours: Tuesdays, 5–6 p.m.

Good Share Food Pantry
229 Route 590, Greeley
570-226-3966

Blooming Grove Food Pantry
570-686-4182

Pike County Food Pantry
570-676-4066

Feeding Families Ministry
Hours: Thursdays & Fridays, 1–3 p.m.
Coverage: Monroe, Pike, Wayne counties

Wayne County

Wayne County Food Pantry Program
570-253-4262
waynecountypantry@waynecountypa.gov
Five locations: Honesdale, Lakeville, Newfoundland, Lakewood, Damascus

Salvation Army – Honesdale
570-352-3435 or 570-479-6375
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. (by appointment)

Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers Pop-Up Pantry
630 Park Street, Honesdale
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 12–4 p.m.
No income requirements

Lackawanna County

Salvation Army – Scranton
500 S. Washington Avenue, Scranton
570-344-9878
Food Box Distribution: Tuesday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (call for appointment)

St. Francis of Assisi
500 Penn Avenue, Scranton
Food Pantry: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Friends of the Poor Pantry
148 Meridian Avenue, Scranton
Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

UNC Angel’s Attic Pantry
410 Olive Street, Scranton
Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Bread Basket of NEPA (multiple locations)

• Tuesdays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.: Christ the King Parish, 411 Church St., Archbald
• Wednesdays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.: Elm Park United Methodist, 712 Linden St., Scranton
• Wednesdays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.: Our Father’s House, 1820 Church Ave., Scranton
• Wednesdays, 3–5 p.m.: St. Michael’s Church, 316 First Ave., Jessup

Carbondale Active Older Adult Community Center
66 North Church Street, Carbondale
570-282-6167
7 frozen meals weekly; Monday, 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m. (call Friday by noon)

Luzerne County

CEO Wilkes-Barre Food Pantry
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 190 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre
570-908-2222
Hours: Monday & Wednesday, 1–4 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.

CEO Hazleton Food Pantry
134 South Wyoming Street, Hazleton
Hours: Monday & Thursday, 1–4 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.

General Referral Line: 570-826-0510 or 800-822-0359

Keystone Mission – Wilkes-Barre
290 Parkview Circle, Wilkes-Barre
570-871-4795
Food Distribution: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 1–4 p.m.

Al Beech West Side Food Pantry
Church of Christ Uniting, 786 West Market Street, Kingston
Wednesdays, 9–11 a.m. (drive-thru)

Related Resources

• PA 211: Dial 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898-211
• SNAP Benefits: Apply at compass.state.pa.us or call 570-826-0510
• National Hunger Hotline: 1-866-348-6479

This list was compiled in December 2025. Hours and availability may change—always call ahead to confirm.