Food Distribution Schedule and Guidelines
Getting Food at South Portland Food Cupboard
9:45–11:30 AM
You may come every Tuesday.
Tuesdays
How Our Tuesday Distribution Works
During your appointment, you will walk through our warehouse and choose items for yourself in a “shop for yourself” style. You’ll find an ever-changing selection of produce, bread, deli items, sweets, miscellaneous items, and more— with volunteers available to assist along the way.
We are now using PantrySoft for scheduling appointments. Here’s what you need to know:
For CURRENT Recipients
Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment.
At check-in, you can:
-
Choose your next appointment for the following week OR
-
Schedule it yourself online.
Appointments open one week in advance and fill up in the order they are received.
If you’re already a recipient but not yet registered in PantrySoft, please check in at the front desk between 9:45 AM and 11:30 AM so we can create your account. Once you have an account you'll be able to login in and register yourself for an appointment.
Changing or canceling your appointment: If you need to change or cancel your appointment please do so in PantrySoft. If you are not able to, please call in advance to let us know if you'll be late or can't make your appointment
Grace period: If you arrive late, we give a 5 minute grace period. After that, we will get you scheduled for our the next available slot. This may require a longer wait.
*Your USERNAME is your email!
For NEW Recipients
Please arrive between 9:45 AM and 11:30 AM on Tuesdays.
We will:
-
Register you in PantrySoft and create your account.
-
Help you set up your password so you can schedule future appointments online or in-person.
For your first day, we will give you an open time slot (Example: 11:00 AM). You may leave and return at your scheduled time. When you return, we’ll place you in line in order of arrival.
Please note: we will have early entry at 9:30 am for those with accessibility and mobility needs.
Important Reminders
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Please bring reusable bags!
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We provide a shopping cart for your groceries so you can bring them to your car.
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PantrySoft appointments are available one week in advance.
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You can also schedule on the same day, based on availability.
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Appointments fill first-come, first-served.
Thursdays
8:30 –11:30 AM
You may come ONCE a month to this distribution.
How Our Thursday Distribution Works:
1. Check-In: Upon arrival, recipients should go to the Check-In Table. Our team will confirm the appointment, assist with any paperwork, help schedule future appointments if needed, and provide a menu to complete.
2. Fill Out Menu: At Check-In, recipients will receive a menu to select both perishable and non-perishable items.
3. Menu Submission: Once completed, return the menu to the Check-In Table.
4. Order is Prepared: Inside our warehouse, volunteers will prepare orders based on the submitted menus.
5. Vehicle Pickup: When the order is ready, recipients will be directed to bring their vehicles to the Loading Area.
6. Loading Groceries: Volunteers will load the order directly into the recipient’s vehicle. Recipients should remain in their vehicles during this process.
For NEW Recipients
Please come to the food cupboard between 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM on Thursdays.
We will:
-
Register you in PantrySoft and create your account.
-
Help you set up your password so you can schedule future appointments online.
For your first day, we will give you an open time slot (Example: 11:00 AM). You may leave and return at your scheduled time. When you return, we’ll place you in line in order of arrival.
Important Reminders
-
Bring reusable bags for bonus shopping!
-
We provide a shopping cart for your groceries so you can bring them to your car.
Please note: For Thursday's food distribution, first-time recipients must complete two registration forms: a data sheet and a TEFAP form. To save time, you can fill these forms out in advance by clicking the links below, printing them, and bringing them to your first visit. If you prefer, you can also complete the forms on-site when you arrive.
*Social workers may complete these forms and pick up food on behalf of their clients.*
Click on the button to download a PDF:
1st Wednesday Evening of the Month
5-6:30 pm
For recipients who work or are unable to come on Thursday.
How Our Thursday Distribution Works:
During your appointment, you will walk through our warehouse and choose items for yourself in a “shop for yourself” style. You’ll find an ever-changing selection of produce, bread, deli items, sweets, miscellaneous items, and more— with volunteers available to assist along the way.
We are now using PantrySoft for scheduling appointments. Here’s what you need to know:
For CURRENT Recipients
Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment.
At check-in, you can:
-
Choose your next appointment for the following week OR
-
Schedule it yourself online.
Appointments open one week in advance and fill up in the order they are received.
If you’re already a recipient but not yet registered in PantrySoft, please check in at the front desk between 9:45 AM and 11:30 AM so we can create your account. Once you have an account you'll be able to login in and register yourself for an appointment.
Changing or canceling your appointment: If you need to change or cancel your appointment please do so in PantrySoft. If you are not able to, please call in advance to let us know if you'll be late or can't make your appointment
Grace period: If you arrive late, we give a 5 minute grace period. After that, we will get you scheduled for our the next available slot. This may require a longer wait.
*Your USERNAME is your email!
For NEW Recipients
Please arrive between 9:45 AM and 11:30 AM on Tuesdays.
We will:
-
Register you in PantrySoft and create your account.
-
Help you set up your password so you can schedule future appointments online or in-person.
For your first day, we will give you an open time slot (Example: 11:00 AM). You may leave and return at your scheduled time. When you return, we’ll place you in line in order of arrival.
2nd Wednesday of the Month Homebound Delivery
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South Portland residents only
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Must be screened in advance through the SPFC
Please contact Dwayne or Peter in the office by calling 207-874-0379 to begin the screen process
Transportation
We are able to provide complimentary transportation for South Portland residents who do not have access to their own. Each recipient may use up to four rides per month, with a ride to the Food Cupboard counting as one ride and a ride home counting as one ride. Transportation is available only during ood distribution times. All rides are direct between your home address and the South Portland Food Cupboard (130 Thadeus Street), with no other stops permitted. To schedule a ride, please call the SPFC at 207-874-0379 at least 24 hours in advance.
A special thank you to the South Portland Transportation Department and the City of South Portland for making this possible.
Food Safety Disclaimer
The South Portland Food Cupboard provides food including fresh, frozen, and perishable items. Once food has been distributed, it becomes the responsibility of the recipient to ensure proper handling, storage, and preparation. This includes, but is not limited to, safe refrigeration and freezing, appropriate thawing methods, and avoiding refreezing where unsafe.
By accepting food from the South Portland Food Cupboard, recipients acknowledge that they are responsible for following safe food handling practices and accept full liability for the use, storage, and consumption of these products. The South Portland Food Cupboard is not responsible for any issues, including illness or injury, that may result after food leaves our warehouse.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I come get food?
We have three main distribution times, for more in-depth information, please see above:
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Tuesdays (weekly)
9:45 AM – 11:30 AM
You may come every week if you need food.
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Thursdays (monthly)
8:30 AM – 11:00 AM
You may come once a month.
Requires paperwork + qualifications.
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1st Wednesday of each month
5:00 – 6:30 PM
For people who work or are unable to come on Thursday.
Requires paperwork + qualifications.
Do I need an appointment?
Yes. We use PantrySoft for scheduling.
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If you already have an account, you can log in to PantrySoft and make your own appointments.
-
If you don’t have one yet, come in person during open hours and we will set it up for you that day.
New recipients: You can come during open hours even without an appointment. We’ll help you register and give you a same-day time slot.
Do I am having trouble with signing up online for an appointment. Who can I contact?
Please contact us or send an email to support@southportlandfoodcupboard.org
How do I log into PantrySoft?
Go to the PantrySoft Login
Your username is your email address.
If you forget your password, click “Forgot Password” to reset it.
What should I bring?
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Reusable bags
What if I’m late for my appointment?
We allow a five-minute grace period.
After that, you’ll be added to the next available time slot.
Can I pick up food for someone else?
Are you unable to make it to the food cupboard? Do you have a family member or friend who can shop for you? You can call ahead to set them up as a proxy in our system which will allow them to shop for you under your account.
Social workers are also welcome to pickup on behalf of their clients.