Facing food insecurity can be a significant challenge for families. In Waco and McLennan County, Caritas stands as a vital resource, dedicated to providing hunger relief and food assistance to those in need. Functioning as a central food distribution center, Caritas ensures that hundreds of families in the Waco area receive essential food supplies every week. Thanks to generous food donations and strategic purchasing, Caritas effectively combats food insecurity within the community. In 2023 alone, Caritas provided food assistance to an impressive 26,414 families, demonstrating its profound impact on Food Waco needs.
Caritas is committed to serving everyone in need and operates as an equal opportunity provider. Below you will find crucial details regarding the food pantry, including hours of operation, guidelines, and information about additional supportive services available at Caritas in Waco.
Caritas Food Pantry: Your Waco Food Resource
Pantry Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday:
8:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Caritas aims to serve as many Waco community members as possible, and adhering to the following guidelines helps ensure efficient service for everyone seeking food waco assistance.
The pantry doors will open precisely at the posted times. Please refrain from knocking to request early entry. For scheduled appointments with the Veterans Case Manager, Intensive Case Manager, Federal Benefits Specialist, Volunteer Coordinator, or to visit Mama Lovies Closet, please contact (254) 753-4593 to arrange your visit.
Mama Lovies Clothes Closet is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Federal Benefits Specialist services are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Case Management services for Veterans and Intensive cases operate Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Volunteer Coordinator services are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Please note the Caritas Pantry Hours of Operation for food waco assistance are Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. –10:45 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.- 2:45 p.m.
To ensure efficient service for all clients already inside, client intake will conclude 15 minutes before closing times (at 10:45 a.m. and 2:45 p.m.).
Pantry Guidelines
The Caritas Food Pantry is designed to act as a supplementary resource to support your household’s food needs. It may not be able to fulfill all food requirements. If you require more extensive food assistance, a comprehensive list of additional food resources in Waco will be provided upon request.
Morning Food Distribution at the pantry begins at 8:30 a.m. Food distribution tickets will be given to clients until the pantry reaches its maximum capacity for the morning.
Afternoon Food Distribution starts at 1:00 p.m. Food distribution tickets will be issued until the pantry reaches its maximum capacity for the afternoon. Once capacity is reached, no further distribution tickets will be issued for the remainder of the day.
- Please carefully follow all instructions provided by the Caritas Staff to ensure a smooth process for everyone seeking food waco support.
- The amount of food provided per household is determined by the size of your household to equitably distribute resources.
- To maintain hygiene and safety, no outside food or beverages are permitted inside the pantry.
- To respect the privacy and experience of all shoppers, mobile device usage is not allowed while shopping in the pantry.
- Shoppers are responsible for loading their own groceries into their vehicles after receiving food waco assistance.
- Pantry baskets are not permitted to leave the pantry area unless the shopper’s transportation is readily available on-site.
Your cooperation in following these procedures is greatly appreciated. It helps ensure the safety and well-being of all shoppers, volunteers, and Caritas staff.
McLennan County Food Resources
For a broader view of food assistance options in the region, please refer to the McLennan and Surrounding Counties Hunger Resource List 2022 for additional support and information regarding food waco and surrounding areas.
