Food and Income Assistance

Food shelves and free meals

If you or your family need help with food, there are programs and community resources across North Dakota that can support you. You can find free food near you through the Great Plains Food Bank.

Service offered:

  • Emergency food assistance
  • Mobile food pantries that travel to rural areas
  • Backpack Program for children who need weekend meals
  • Senior food boxes
  • Help connecting to SNAP (food stamps) and other nutrition programs
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Dream Center
1805 Park Ave
Bismarck, ND
701-955-2150

Great Plains Food Bank
1315 S 20th St
Bismarck, ND
701-751-6188

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Emergency Food Pantry
1101 4th Ave N
Fargo, ND
701-237-9337

Great Plains Food Bank
1720 3rd Ave N
Fargo, ND
701-232-6219

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Salvation Army Grand Forks
1600 University Ave
Grand Forks, ND
701-775-2597

St. Joseph's Social Care Food Pantry
620 8th Ave S
Grand Forks, ND
701-795-8614

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Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program in North Dakota

ND WIC program helps pregnant women, new moms or dads and children under 5 years old.

WIC is a nutrition and breastfeeding program that provides free nutrition and breastfeeding education, free health food and referrals to health and social services.

How to apply for WIC:

Fargo WIC
1240 25th St S
Fargo, ND 58103
701-277-1455

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Additional Resources

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

The SNAP program helps lower-income families buy healthy food. If your household meets income and eligibility rules, you may qualify. Benefits are given on an EBT card (like a debit card) that you can use at grocery stores, ethnic grocery stores, farmers markets and local shops.

How to apply:

Additional Resources

New laws took effect on Dec 1, 2025

Due to changes introduced through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR1) enacted on July 4, 2025, and the guidance issued by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, certain Office of Refugee Resettlement populations will be subject to the five-year waiting period for SNAP starting Dec 1, 2025.

This section explains who is affected and what steps you need to take to keep your benefits.

Visit the Stay Enrolled website to stay up to date and learn about who is affected and what you need to do to keep your benefits. For more information or to speak with someone directly about SNAP benefits, contact the Customer Support Center or a Human Service Zone office.

Income Assistance

Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)

RCA is a short-term temporary assistance program that provides refugees or similar status with low-or no-income short-term cash support for up to eight months from their arrival to the U.S. as they work toward self-sufficiency. It helps pay for essentials like food, rent or transportation while you get settled.

Reach out to your resettlement agency or Office of Refugee Services at: