Call This Number To Get Coronavirus Food Assistance

When you’re out of food and your kids are hungry, who’s the first person you’d call for help? It’s probably a family member or a friend. You may even wander over to your neighbor’s house to see if they have anything to spare, but there’s another source that can be your best option.

Even if you thought you’d never be in the position to ask for help with food, COVID-19 may have made that your reality. It’s important to know that you’re certainly not alone, though, as many have lost their jobs and income due to shutdowns.

Besides your friends, family, or neighbors, you can call the USDA National Hunger Hotline if you’re in desperate need of food.

What is the USDA National Hunger Hotline?

Brought to you by the USDA National Hunger Clearinghouse, this hotline is meant to help those who need emergency assistance with food. By dialing 1-866-3-HUNGRY, you can speak to a representative who can help you find resources that offer food assistance.

How does the Hunger Hotline Work?

Just dial 1-866-3-HUNGRY from your phone on Monday through Friday between 7 am and 10 pm. You can also get assistance in Spanish by calling 1-877-8-HAMBRE.

Another option is to text 97779 to the Hotline with a question. Be sure to include a relevant keyword like “food” or “meals” to get an automated response detailing services in your area.

Does it matter why you cannot afford food?

The Hunger Hotline was set up to help everyone in need of food assistance. This could be due to low income, losing a job, facing an emergency, or some other issue that has made it impossible to buy food.

Regardless of why you’re going hungry, give the Hunger Hotline a call so they can point you in the right direction. Although you may not qualify for every available food assistance program, chances are you can at least get short-term food relief.

Do you have to be a citizen to call?

The National Hunger Hotline does not discriminate and serves people from all walks of life and varying situations. Whether you’re legal, illegal, speak English, speak Spanish, etc. does not matter. The hotline’s representatives are there to help.

What types of food assistance can you get from calling the National Hunger Hotline?

Every location varies in terms of the food assistance programs that are available. Depending on where you live, a representative can connect you with short-term fixes like soup kitchens, food assistance from local churches, and food pantries.

This is ideal since those resources can give you the food you need now without having to go through a lengthy application process that has a waiting list.

If you need long-term food assistance, ask the representative what your options are. They can help you learn more about food stamps, school meals for children, WIC, and more.

Does the Hunger Hotline only specialize in food assistance?

No, as your representative may also be able to connect you with other social services that can be of help. Due to COVID-19, you may require these services, so don’t be shy when you call and ask as many questions as you can.