Looking for a list of places where you can get free food for pregnant women? We looked and found some great resources for you so you can take care of yourself and your growing baby.
A few years ago, there was a popular social media post going around that every Chick-Fil-A was giving away a platter of chicken nuggets, fries, cookies, and a free drink to every pregnant woman who asked for it.
If you were like me, your first thought was, “That’s awesome!” followed by, “Dang it, I’m not expecting a baby right now, but next time I get pregnant I’m totally cashing in on this!”
Well, as it turns out, it was just one or two locations in Houston that decided to offer that deal to consumers, so good news for those few people who got to enjoy some free Chick-Fil-A!
We all love free food, right? And who doesn’t deserve free food more than pregnant moms? We’re hungry all the time!!
In all seriousness, I know there are a lot of moms who aren’t just looking for a free Chick-Fil-A meal every now and then.
There are women out there who really need help and are struggling to pay their bills from day-to-day.
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I am so grateful that we live in a day and age where there are programs and options for expectant mothers who are having a hard time.
My grandmother was a teenage mom, and my mother survived her childhood on food stamps and handouts from charitable organizations.
She once told me that she wore the same thing to school every day because they didn’t have the money to afford any new clothes.
I am so thankful that my mom didn’t starve because her mother knew how to apply for assistance and get the help she needed to make ends meet.
You may not be pregnant or struggling financially at this point in time, but maybe you know someone that is.
Here are the REAL options available out there for those needing it.
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Where to Get Free Food for Pregnant Moms
1. Your Local Food Bank
I’ve lived in Texas almost my whole life, and I have several memories of going to the food bank to volunteer, sometimes with my family and sometimes with my church group.
No matter where you live in the U.S., there is a local food bank that you can contact to get access to free food.
If you just Google “Atlanta Food Bank”, or “Denver Food Bank”, or whichever state or city you’re in, you should be able to find it pretty easy.
Since I live about 25 minutes south of the city of Austin, I googled Austin, TX food bank, and got instant results.
The largest food bank for Texans in the Austin area is the Central Texas Food Bank.
If you click on the “Get Help” link, you’ll see a list of places where you can go to receive free food throughout the city.
The Emergency Food Assistance Referral List details all the Mobile Pantries and food banks throughout the Central Texas area by county, and what hours and days they are open.
If you’re still confused and don’t know where to go, you can call the 800 number that’s all over the website.
This particular food bank also offers nutrition and breastfeeding classes, help with applying for food stamps, and programs for kids and seniors.
Food Banks are not allowed to discriminate against anyone who needs assistance with food. So if you’re having a tough month and don’t know how you’ll feed your family, you can call, show up to a food bank, and get that extra bag of groceries to get you through until the next paycheck.
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2. WIC
WIC stands for Women, Infants, and Children. You have to meet certain eligibility requirements in order to receive WIC. Applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
- Categorical
- Residential
- Income
- Nutrition Risk
The Frequently Asked Questions portion of the website is particularly useful to help you see if you qualify. One look at the income eligibility requirements will tell you if you can get WIC or not.
Most people who receive WIC get checks or vouchers so that they can purchase very specific foods. From the website:
“In addition, some States issue an electronic benefit card to participants instead of paper checks or vouchers. The use of electronic cards is growing and all WIC State agencies are required to implement WIC electronic benefit transfer (EBT) statewide by October 1, 2020. A few State agencies distribute the WIC foods through warehouses or deliver the foods to participants’ homes. Different food packages are provided for different categories of participants.”
What foods are included with WIC? Things like:
- Infant cereal and baby food
- Vitamin C-rich fruit or vegetable juice
- Eggs
- Milk, cheese
- Peanut butter
- Fruits and Vegetables
*See the website for a full list
You can apply for WIC by calling any of the toll-free numbers:
3. Food Stamps
Food stamps are technically called the: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Again, since I live in Texas, I googled “Texas Food Stamps” and found the SNAP program specific to Texas residents which gave me more information.
You are only eligible for the SNAP program if you meet certain income eligibility requirements (the below is for Texas. It WILL vary by state.)
Depending on the size of your family, you get up to a different monthly amount.
| Maximum Monthly SNAP Amount | |
| Family size | Monthly SNAP amount |
| 1 | $192 |
| 2 | $352 |
| 3 | $504 |
| 4 | $640 |
| 5 | $760 |
| For each additional person, add: | $144 |
It is really designed as a supplement to your grocery bill. Those who earn less will receive more than those who are toward the maximum income limit, but help is help.
Benefits can only be used for food and drinks, and you can’t buy alcohol or tobacco with them.
4. Church-Based Local Food Pantries/Welfare Programs
Many people are embarrassed to get government help or feel that the process is too complicated.
If that is your case, then many local churches also offer some type of food assistance/welfare program.
I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The goal of our welfare program is to help people get back on their feet and become financially self-reliant.
When my husband and I were living in the East Austin area, we attended a local congregation where a lot of people were in tough financial situations. Many of those people worked full-time and were doing everything they could to provide for their families, but still needed help with some basic needs. In our church, those requiring financial assistance can talk to their local Bishop so he can help them receive what they need.
I know there are a lot of churches out there who provide similar programs. In talking to my friend who is a member of another faith, she shared that her church also helps those who are struggling financially.
A lot of churches also provide local and free employment resources, financial classes, and secondhand clothing.
Nothing is scarier than becoming pregnant and getting ready to welcome a new baby into your family and feeling like you can’t feed yourself or your family.
I hope this article helps you or someone you love get the help they need!
Be sure to create a free baby registry at Walmart (and other stores) as many of them give you free stuff just for creating the registry.
Then be sure to check out these other posts for FREE Baby stuff:
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