Food Assistance Resources & FAQ

Food Assistance Resources

  • For further assistance with finding food resources, call our front office at 706-736-1199 during business hours (M-F 8 a.m.- 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.) and our team will help connect you with food assistance.

  • To find information on upcoming Mobile Market food distributions, please check out the events on our Facebook Page.

  • You can also visit The Master’s Table at 702 Fenwick Street, Augusta, GA 30901 for a hot meal served daily from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Transportation Assistance

If you need transportation to a food resource, United Way of the CSRA offers a Transportation Access Program to provide free Lyft rides to 211 callers for eligible use cases. 211 Agents will schedule and dispatch Lyft rides either on-demand or up to one (1) week in advance.

Call 2-1-1 to schedule your ride.

  • Geographic Boundary:  Ride dispatching may occur in any major metro area covered by the participating 211 as long as there is adequate Lyft Driver supply. United Way of the CSRA’s initial target areas will be Richmond and Columbia County

  • Eligible Use Cases:

    1. Medical (non-emergency medical appointments, return from ER, services at Veterans Affairs, substance use treatments/discharge, dental/vision appointments, etc.)

    2. Employment (job interviews, commute to/from work, fingerprinting, pre-employment paperwork, etc.)

    3. Food Access (commute to/from food pantry/distribution sites, application for SNAP/WIC benefits, etc.)

    4. Financial (commute to/from financial coaching/empowerment services, tax preparation services, application for Medicaid/CHIP benefits, application for housing benefits, etc.)

    5. Education (commute to/from classes, trainings, parent/guardian engagement, etc.)

  • Eligibility: As long as the ride need falls within the above eligible use cases and defined geographic boundary, eligibility is determined by 211.

  • Rides per Client: One to three (1-3) round-trip rides per client. The exact amount is determined by 211, and exceptions can be made.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The best way to get food assistance is to visit our Food Finder and enter your zip code. This will pull up a list of Partner Agencies closest to you. We recommend calling the pantry first to check their hours of operation before visiting.

  • When you visit, you do not need anything beyond a government ID and basic information like your name, county of residence, and the number of people in your household to receive food assistance. Anyone who visits a food pantry for help is eligible to receive food. Some food pantries will ask you to self-declare that your income falls within federal guidelines.

  • You can also call our front office at 706-736-1199 during business hours (8 am- 12 pm and 1 pm – 5 pm) and our receptionist can help you find a food pantry close to you and give you their hours of operation and contact information.

  • Also, The Master’s Table in Downtown Augusta serves a hot meal every day Monday-Saturday at 11 am and Sunday at 1 pm. All are welcome. The address is 702 Fenwick St, Augusta, GA 30901.

  • Food assistance is available to anyone who needs it, whether it is long term or short term.

    • Some people access food weekly, some people access food once in their lifetime. Everyone is welcome.

    • Some food pantries operate around income eligibility guidelines determined by the federal government.

      • You will not be required to bring proof of income to receive assistance, but will be asked to self-declare your income.

      • Call pantries in advance to learn more.

      • The Master’s Table does not have income guidelines for assistance- anyone in need of food is welcome.

  • Some food pantries will ask you for proof of address because they serve people who live within specific geographic boundaries.

    • Call pantries in advance to learn more.

The Golden Harvest Food Bank Network offers a variety of food assistance programs.

The Master’s Table:

  • Open to anyone

  • Serves a hot meal daily Monday-Saturday at 11 am and Sunday at 1 pm

  • Located at 702 Fenwick Street, Augusta, GA 30901

Mobile Markets:

  • Open to anyone

  • Take place at a variety of locations each month

Partner Agencies:

  • Open to anyone. Some may ask you to self-declare that your income falls within Federal income guidelines. Some may ask to verify your address because they only serve within certain geographic regions.

  • Offer a variety of groceries including produce.

  • To find a pantry near you, visit our Food Finder. Call ahead for information on food pantry hours.

SNAP Advocacy:

  • Open to anyone. Our SNAP Outreach staff help to connect individuals in need with the Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and to assist in navigating the application process.

  • Visit our SNAP Advocacy page to learn more.

Child and Senior Feeding Programs:

  • Our Backpack and School Market programs are available at participating schools for qualifying students. Contact your school counselor for more information.

  • Our Senior Feeding Programs are available for eligible seniors through participating partner sites. Contact us for more information.

Each partner agency or program is unique in the services they provide. Some may have restrictions on the number of visits per month or year, while others have no restrictions.

To learn more about a specific food site, contact them directly through our Food Finder.

  • If you are going to The Master’s Table, you will not need to bring anything.

  • If you are going to a Mobile Market:

    • It is recommended that you bring grocery bags or boxes to carry your food home.

    • You may need to show a government ID to verify your county or state of residence per government regulations.

  • If you are visiting a partner agency or program:

    • Bring your ID. Some food pantries require proof of address because they serve specific geographic zones.

    • You will never be required to bring or show your Social Security Card or proof of income to receive food. You may need these items to receive non-food services that some pantries offer.

Our partner food assistance sites will provide an authorized representative form. This form will allow a family member or friend to pick up food for you and/or your family.

  • You can expect a welcoming atmosphere. Food assistance is available to anyone who needs it, because no one should be hungry.

  • Food pantries will require a brief intake process. You will need a government ID in most cases.

  • Some food pantries may ask for proof of address or for you to self-decalre that your income falls within federal food assistance guidelines. You do not need to display proof of income.

  • Food assistance programs in the Golden Harvest Food Bank Network are all equal opportunity providers. We are committed to valuing you and your lived experience.

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