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Pantry Hours

Mondays: 12:30 – 4:30 PM (Shoppers’ Choice from 12:30-3:30, Express Service from 3:30-4:30)

Fridays: 10 AM – 2 PM (Shoppers’ Choice from 10:00-1:00, Express Service from 1:00-2:00)

Plus… Mobile Food Pantry Truck: Usually the last Thursday of the month from January-October (no truck in November or December). Check-in is at 12 PM.

Check our Facebook page for any schedule changes.

Upcoming closed dates:
January 29, 2026 – Martin Luther King Day
February 16, 2026 – Presidents Day
April 13, 2026 – Good Friday
May 25, 2026 – Memorial Day
July 3, 2026 – Independence Day
September 7, 2026 – Labor Day
October 12, 2026 – Indigenous Peoples Day
November 27, 2026 – Thanksgiving Friday
December 25, 2026 – Christmas
January 1, 2027 – New Year’s Day

Who is Eligible

You receive food from the Olean Food Pantry if:

1.      You live in New York State. Any county is welcome.

2.      You meet the income guidelines. You qualify automatically if you receive SNAP, WIC, TANF, Medicaid or SSI. You also qualify if your household’s yearly income before taxes is at or below 225% FPL (you can see the income limits on this chart).

What to bring: Nothing. You do not need an ID or any proof of income. You’ll fill out a short form with the names and birth dates of everyone in your household. Then you check a box saying your income meets the guidelines. You can preview the intake form here.

Live in Pennsylvania? We’re sorry, but we can’t serve Pennsylvania residents. Our food comes through programs that only cover New York residents. See Other Local Resources below for food pantries in Pennsylvania.

Shoppers’ Choice

Our pantry is set up like a grocery store, so you choose the food your family will eat. Every visit includes fresh fruits and vegetables. You can also choose from meat, milk, eggs, cheese, frozen foods, canned goods and pantry staples. Some of it comes straight from our own garden and greenhouse.

How a visit works:

  1. When you get to our parking lot, a volunteer will give you a number to save your place in line. For Shoppers Choice, you must get in line by 3:30 PM on Mondays or 1 PM on Fridays. 
  2. The volunteer will let you know when it is your turn to go inside to choose your groceries. 
  3. Once inside, you will check in and fill out the short intake form. 
  4. Then, you’ll get a shopping cart and choose your items. Each visitor is paired with a volunteer ‘personal shopper’ who will explain our point system, help you find what you are looking for, and keep track of your points.
  5. Check out (everything is free!) and take your groceries home. 

How much food: You can shop twice a month. Each visit gives you about six days of food (18 meals) for each person in your household. 

Arriving later? If you arrive during the last hour we’re open, you’ll get Express Service with a pre-packed box of food instead of shopping. This will not count toward your two visit per month shopping limit.

Mobile Food Pantry Truck

About once a month, the FeedMore WNY Mobile Food Pantry truck comes to the Olean Food Pantry with extra food. This is in addition to your two regular shopping trips each month. See “Pantry Hours” above for more info.

What you get: A pre-packed box of fresh produce and other groceries, usually two to five days of food per person. It depends on what’s on the truck that month.

Who can come: Anyone who is eligible for pantry services.

Send a Friend

Can’t make it in? A friend or family member can pick up food for you. Print the intake form, fill it out, sign it and send it with the person picking up.

Special Programs

Thanksgiving

This year, we’re giving out Thanksgiving food November 6 – 23, 2026, during regular pantry hours. Along with your regular groceries, you can take home turkey (breast or whole turkey depending on family size) and all the fixings.

Birthday Bags

Is someone in your household having a birthday? Ask a volunteer about a Birthday Bag. These bags contain cake mix, frosting, and some fun extras.

Free Diapers

Families with babies and toddlers can get free diapers, thanks to Every Bottom Covered. When we have them, we also give out wipes, formula and baby food. Ask at check-in.

Pet Food

Dog and cat food is available on the second Friday of each month during normal pantry hours. 

Folding Wagons

Walking to the pantry? Thanks to grant funding, we can gift you a folding wagon to help you get your groceries home. Please bring your wagon back for every visit as we are limited to one wagon per person.

Community Garden

Want to grow your own vegetables? Community members can use space in our garden and greenhouse. You don’t need any experience. Call us to learn more.

Other Local Resources

Sometimes the Olean Food Pantry will be all you need to bridge over a rough spot. Other times you may need a bit more help. The links above can help you find other resources to help spread a thin budget farther.

Make A Donation Today

Your cash donation to the Olean Food Pantry allows us to purchase MORE food. Join the local fight against hunger!