How Pantry Works
Surplus food goes from your kitchen to a neighbor’s table — with a donation record for you.
For donors: it’s four steps
From fridge to receipt in minutes.
Post surplus food in 2 minutes — a local food pantry claims it and coordinates the pickup.
Add your items
Add food items by scanning barcodes or typing them in. We estimate the tax value automatically.
Pick a local pantry
See pantries near you on a map. Choose one or let us match you.
Schedule pickup
Set a time window. The food pantry coordinates the pickup and works out the handoff with you by message.
Get your donation record
A donation record is generated automatically. Download anytime for your records.
What pantries can and can’t accept
Every pantry is different, and each one can set its own list on Pantry. When it has, you’ll see it on the pantry’s page and when you donate to it. In general:
Usually welcome
- Shelf-stable food: cans, boxes and dry goods.
- Fresh produce, and bread and baked goods.
- Dairy, meat and frozen food, when the pantry has room in its fridge or freezer.
- Prepared meals from a restaurant, caterer or cafeteria kitchen that were never served or set out.
Usually can’t take
- Home-cooked meals. Most pantries can’t accept them for food-safety reasons.
- Food that was served or set out, like buffet leftovers.
- Cold or frozen food when the pantry’s fridge or freezer is full. Pantries can say so on Pantry for a day or two.
Not sure? Describe the food as it is when you post it. A pantry only claims what it can use.
For food pantries: claiming made simple
$0 cost, free forever for nonprofits — claim nearby donations and coordinate pickup in seconds.
Post your needs, claim a nearby donation, and schedule the pickup.
See nearby donations
A live feed shows surplus food posted by homes and businesses in your area.
Claim in one tap
Claim a donation before it expires — the donor is notified right away.
Schedule the pickup
Pick a time that works and coordinate details with the donor by message.
Track your impact
Pounds received and estimated meals add up on your dashboard automatically.
What if a pickup falls through?
Plans change and pickups get missed — like a delivery that doesn’t show, the food doesn’t just disappear. Here’s exactly what happens.
If you’re donating
- •A food pantry claims it but doesn’t collect it in time? It automatically goes back on the board for another nearby food pantry to claim, with a fresh pickup window — you don’t have to chase anyone.
- •No one claims it before your window closes? The post expires so it can’t send someone on a wasted trip, and you can repost it in one tap.
If you run a food pantry
- •Claimed something you can’t get to? Release it back to the board so a closer partner can grab it — no penalty, and the donor is kept in the loop.
- •Arrive and the food is already gone or spoiled? Message the donor right from the donation, and flag the listing so we can follow up. Repeated no-shows get reviewed.
Pantry is early and volunteer-coordinated, so we’re honest that timing isn’t guaranteed. These safeguards exist so a missed pickup is a small hiccup, not a loss.