Ongoing
Food
Free
Free hot breakfast and lunch Monday–Saturday plus weekly food parcels for people at risk of homelessness.
Category · Food & essentials
Last updated:
Free food & food banks in Ireland
Life’s expensive enough without worrying about your next meal. This page brings together free food in Ireland – from community kitchens and surplus food projects to food banks, soup runs and student supports.
Everything listed here has a genuinely free way to access or attend. Always check the details before you go – times, locations and availability can change – but this is a solid starting point if you or someone you know needs a hand.
✅ Updated December 2025: Food bank / food parcel links on this page are checked regularly.
Heads up: many food banks require a referral, but community fridges and pantries often don’t.
Food banks in Ireland: how to get a food parcel
If you’re searching “food banks near me”, this is the fastest path:
- Pick the closest option: a food bank/parcel service (referral) or a community fridge/pantry (walk-in).
- If a referral is needed: ask Citizens Information, a GP, social worker, community welfare, SVP, or your local family resource centre.
- Bring basics: ID + proof of address if you have it. If you don’t, still go — most services will help you figure it out.
Dublin: fast picks for free meals & parcels
Opening times and eligibility can change — always check the official site before travelling.
Short on time? Jump straight to the Dublin options on this page:
Capuchin Day Centre (meals/parcels) Mendicity Institution (meals/showers) Little Flower Penny Dinners (weekday lunches) More cities →In Dublin and stuck? Jump to meals vs parcels vs food banks to choose the fastest option.
Need help fast?
- FoodCloud – community food supports across Ireland
- Community Pantry Ireland – free community pantries
- Community fridges & food share projects (search)
These links point to wider directories and maps – they can help you find local food projects even if we haven’t listed them individually here yet.
Showing 11 free food listings from the main YoureGrand.ie feed.
Tip: you can also browse all freebies on the homepage or switch to the interactive map view.
How to access free food in Ireland
Most free food services in Ireland are open to anyone who needs them — no proof of income required. Community meals, food banks and fridges are supported by charities and government partnerships like FoodCloud and Safefood.
- Community meals: Usually served at regular times (Capuchin Day Centre, Penny Dinners, etc.).
- Food parcels: Provided by local charities and FoodCloud partners — you can ask your local SVP or parish office.
- Community fridges: Self-service fridges stocked by local volunteers; anyone can take what they need.
What to bring and what to expect
- Bring: a reusable bag, and ID if you have it (not always required).
- Expect queues: busy times can mean waiting — arrive early if you can.
- Referral rules: some parcels/pantries require a referral (SVP, family resource centres, parish offices).
- Dietary needs: ask staff about ingredients if you have allergies.
Major food support networks (nationwide)
These organisations help connect surplus food and local supports across Ireland:
- FoodCloud — links charities to surplus food and community supports.
- SVP — confidential local help with essentials, including food support.
- Citizens Information — if the problem is bigger than food, check what supports you may qualify for.
Jump to what you need
Quick shortcuts for mobile users (and anyone in a hurry).
Types of free food support you’ll see in Ireland
Different areas use different models. If one option doesn’t fit, another one might. (Always check the organisation’s own site for the latest times/requirements.)
Community meals & soup runs
- Drop-in hot meals (often city-centre based).
- Evening soup runs and outreach routes.
Food banks, parcels & pantries
- Grocery parcels / food hampers (often called food banks).
- Some require a referral from Citizens Information / SVP / social services.
- Community pantries (e.g., Community Pantry Ireland networks).
Surplus food & redistribution
- Projects redistributing surplus from shops and producers.
- Directories like FoodCloud Community Foodlink.
Community fridges
- Take what you need / leave what you can.
- Find locations via ChangeX community fridge listings.
Student pantries
- Term-time supports for students under pressure.
- Often run with sustainability / food-waste goals.
Back-up supports
- SVP, Citizens Information, MABS when the problem is bigger than food.
Free food by city (fast picks)
These are the most specific, named supports already listed on this page — grouped so you can scan quickly. For more results, use the main freebies feed or the map and filter by your county.
Free food near me (Ireland)
Use the interactive map to search your area, or jump to your county to filter the live feed. If you’re in Dublin, start with the fast picks at the top of this page.
Dublin (city centre & inner city)
- Capuchin Day Centre (Dublin 7) — breakfasts + lunches + parcels.
- Mendicity Institution (Dublin 8) — weekday meals.
- Little Flower Penny Dinners (Dublin 8) — midday hot lunch.
- Muslim Sisters of Éire Soup Run (Dublin 1) — outreach + hot food.
- Mustard Seed Soup Run (Dublin city centre) — evening soup run.
Cork (city)
- Cork Penny Dinners (Little Hanover St) — daily hot meals.
- Cork Simon Soup Run — nightly outreach + hot food.
Galway (city & campus)
- Student Pantry — University of Galway (term time support).
Student supports (term time)
- The Pantry — DCU Student Life (breakfast + essentials).
- Student Pantry — University of Galway (surplus food pantry).
Nationwide directories & networks
- FoodCloud Community Foodlink — map of community food supports.
- Community Pantry Ireland — find a pantry near you.
- Community Fridge locations (ChangeX) — share surplus food locally.
Tip: find something nearby fast
- Search “community fridge” + your town.
- Try “food bank” + your area + opening hours.
- Check the organisation link before travelling (times can change).
Free food listings
These are hand-picked free food and community meal supports from the main YoureGrand.ie list.
Ongoing
Food
Free
📍 13 Little Hanover Street, Cork city
Provides a hot, nourishing meal every day, along with extras like sandwiches, fruit and warm clothing items for anyone who needs support.
Ongoing
Food
Free
📍 Cork city centre
Nightly soup run offering hot food, blankets, clothing and a listening ear to people who are homeless or at risk in Cork city.
Term time
Food
Free
📍 Dublin City University campuses
Free breakfast and access to essential groceries for DCU students, helping commuters and students under pressure to eat without skipping meals.
Term time
Food
Free
📍 University of Galway, Co. Galway
Campus-based student pantry using surplus food to provide free, healthy meals and groceries for students facing rising living costs.
Ongoing
Food
Free
📍 Island Street, Dublin 8
Best for: meals & day support
Free breakfast and lunch on weekdays for people who are homeless or in severe hardship. No charge to attend.
Ongoing
Food
Free
📍 11 Meath Street, Dublin 8
Best for: weekday lunches
Warm lunch served Monday–Friday around midday, open to anyone in need of a hot meal and a bit of company.
Ongoing
Food
Free
📍 O’Connell Street, Dublin 1
Weekly soup run on O’Connell Street providing hot food, drinks and outreach support for homeless people and those in need.
Ongoing
Food
Free
📍 Dublin citywide
Food boxes and baskets containing a two-day supply of groceries for individuals and families who need support.
Ongoing
Food
Free
📍 6B Goldenbridge Industrial Estate, Tyrconnell Road, Inchicore, Dublin 8
Community food bank providing groceries and meals for people and families in need in the Inchicore area and beyond.
Ongoing
Food
Free
📍 Dublin city centre
Night-time soup run around Dublin city centre, serving hot meals and offering practical and emotional support on the streets.
Other help if money is really tight
Free food is one piece of the puzzle. If you’re juggling rent, bills, debt or school costs as well, these official supports and services might be worth a look.
Food, essentials & practical support
-
St Vincent de Paul (SVP)
Request confidential help with food, bills and essentials -
FoodCloud Community Foodlink
Map of community food supports around Ireland -
Community fridges & food shares
Find a community fridge where surplus food is shared for free
Money, bills & family supports
-
MABS – Money Advice & Budgeting Service
Free, confidential help with debts and budgeting -
Citizens Information
Check what help is available with the cost of living -
Additional Needs Payment
Once-off payment if you have essential costs you can’t cover -
Working Family Payment & Back to School supports
Working Family Payment – weekly top-up for low-paid workers with children
Back to School Clothing & Footwear Allowance – help with uniforms and shoes
Always check details on the official site before you apply – amounts and rules can change with each Budget. You don’t have to be on every payment to qualify for help.
Free food & community meals by county
These shortcuts open the main list with food-related filters, so you can jump closer to your own area. Not every county will have a listing yet, but more will be added over time.
Dublin · Cork · Galway · Limerick · Waterford · Wexford · Donegal · Mayo · Kildare · Meath · Louth · Offaly · Wicklow · Kerry · Tipperary
Latest updates
Short changes and improvements to keep this guide accurate and useful:
- 19 Dec 2025: Updated Dublin “fast picks” and added access tips.
- Next: More county shortcuts + more verified community fridges/pantries.
Spotted something outdated? Send a quick note and we’ll check it.
Free food & community meals – FAQ
A few quick answers on how this page works and what to expect from the free food listings.
Is everything on this page really free?
The focus here is on genuinely free food options – community meals, soup runs, food banks and surplus food projects that don’t require a paid subscription or a “free” trial with card details. Some places may suggest a small optional donation, but there should be a clear way to access support for €0.
How do I find free food near where I live?
The listings on this page are pulled from the main YoureGrand.ie feed and filtered to food-related supports. Many entries mention a county or city in the title or description. For even more control, you can browse the homepage or map and apply your own county and category filters.
Do I need to book or register in advance?
It depends. Some food banks and community kitchens ask you to register with a local support service; others run open drop-ins. Always click through to the source link and read the latest instructions before you travel, especially if you’re going a long way.
Can I trust these listings to be up to date?
Projects change, funding comes and goes, and opening times move around. We try to keep things as accurate as possible, but always treat YoureGrand.ie as your starting point – double-check times and locations on the organisation’s own site or social media if you can.
How can I suggest a free food listing for my area?
If you know of a community kitchen, surplus food project or support service that should be listed, you can get in touch via the contact details on the main site. The aim is to make this a practical, stigma-free way to find free food support across Ireland.