Where to Find Food Assistance in the Ephrata and Cocalico Area

If you or your family are having trouble putting enough food on the table, you don’t have to navigate it alone. There are several types of food assistance available in Ephrata, PA, and throughout the surrounding Cocalico and Northern Lancaster County communities. Options may include local food pantries, community meals, Meals on Wheels, and government programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Knowing where to turn can make it easier to find the right kind of support for your household.

What Types of Food Assistance Are Available in Northern Lancaster County?

Food assistance isn’t one-size-fits-all. Depending on your circumstances, you may benefit from one or more of these resources:

Food Pantries

Local food pantries provide groceries to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. Some offer pre-packed boxes, while others use a client-choice model that allows you to select foods your household can use. Pantry offerings may include shelf-stable foods, fresh or frozen items, meat, dairy products and other household essentials.

• Real Life Community Services – Offers the Cocalico Food Pantry, a client-choice program, and the Power Packs Program for the Cocalico School District.
• Our Mother of Perpetual Help Food Bank – Wednesday evenings from 5 pm to 6:30 pm. Pre-packaged food pick-up as well as a client choice area. Registration required upon first visit. Visits may be limited to 1 time per month. 
• Peter’s Porch – Area churches offering Saturday morning hot breakfasts and groceries. No need to pre-register. 8 am to 10 am.
  • 1st Saturday – Faith United Evangelical Lutheran Church, 357 Walnut St., Denver, PA 17517
  • 2nd Saturday – Lititz Mennonite Church, 165 E Front St., Lititz, PA 17543-1503
  • 3rd Saturday – Zion Lutheran Church, ​435 Main St., Akron, PA 17501
  • 4th Saturday – Landis Valley Christian Fellowship, Landis Valley Christian Fellowship, 2420 Kissel Hill Rd., Lancaster, PA 17601
• Swamp Evangelical Lutheran Church – A team of volunteers distributes Community Hive’s food boxes on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. This distribution helps families living within 10 miles of the church, including parts of Berks and Lebanon County. 

Community Meals

Community meals provide an opportunity to enjoy a prepared meal at little or no cost. Churches, nonprofits and other community organizations may offer free meals on specific days or as part of special programs. These services can be especially helpful when grocery assistance isn’t enough to cover every meal.

• City Gate Ephrata – A weekly Saturday lunch is served to anyone in the community from 11:30 am to 1 pm. The meal is free and includes a biblically-based teaching and encouragement.  Summer lunch program for kids (registration required) is served 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.
• Gather on the Hill – Community Hive offers a monthly meal and recreational event for older adults. It provides nutritious food and socialization activities. Check our Events Page for upcoming dates.
• Weekly Meals in Ephrata – Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Bethany United Church of Christ, and First United Methodist Church serve on a rotating basis as the site for the Community Meal Program. Each Thursday, a free hot dinner is prepared for Ephrata area residents in need, and meals are served at 6 PM. Doors open at 5:30 PM.

SNAP Benefits

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, helps eligible Pennsylvania households purchase groceries using an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. Eligibility is based on factors including household income and size. Pennsylvania residents can apply online, by mail, or in person through the Department of Human Services. (Pennsylvania Government)

• Need help applying for SNAP or other benefits? Contact Community Hive to schedule an appointment with our Resource Coordinator, who will help you through the process.

Meals on Wheels

For older adults and people who have difficulty shopping or preparing meals, Meals on Wheels can provide another form of food support. Community Hive’s Meals on Wheels program serves neighbors in the Ephrata and Cocalico area with nutritious meals, along with a brief safety check and personal connection.

Community Hive’s Hand-UP Food Pantry

For residents looking for a food pantry in the Ephrata and Cocalico area, Community Hive’s Hand-UP Food Pantry is one place to start. Located in Ephrata, the pantry helps individuals and families who are experiencing food insecurity.

The Hand-UP Pantry uses a client-choice model, allowing families to select foods based on their household’s needs and preferences. Community Hive provides a variety of nutritious options, including foods that accommodate different dietary needs. The pantry is intended to supplement a household’s food supply and help families stretch their grocery budgets.

Community Hive’s broader mission is to connect local neighbors with practical resources while treating people with dignity and respect. The organization has served the Ephrata and Cocalico communities for decades, continuing the legacy of Ephrata Area Social Services under its new name, Community Hive. 

Need Food Assistance in the Ephrata or Cocalico Area?

If you’re struggling with food costs, reaching out for assistance is a practical step—not something to be embarrassed about. Food pantries, SNAP, and community programs exist to help neighbors through difficult circumstances.

Community Hive can help connect individuals and families in the Ephrata and Cocalico area with food assistance and other local resources. If you need help with groceries, start by contacting Community Hive to learn more about the Hand-UP Food Pantry and available support.

Food assistance programs, eligibility requirements, and schedules can change. Contact individual organizations or Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services for the most current information.