Salem Ministerial Alliance Community Food Pantry
Food assistance with dignity, choice, and community.
The SMA Community Food Pantry is a community-wide ministry of the Salem Ministerial Alliance, housed at Grace United Methodist Church.
The Salem Ministerial Alliance Community Food Pantry exists to help individuals and families in our community put food on the table while treating every person we serve with dignity and respect.
Our pantry is a community effort made possible through local churches, businesses, organizations, volunteers, donors, and neighbors who believe that no one in our community should have to face hunger alone.
Who We Serve
The SMA Community Food Pantry serves individuals and families in Marion County who are experiencing food insecurity.
You don't have to be ashamed to ask for help. Life can change quickly. A job loss, unexpected bill, rising grocery costs, illness, or a difficult season can make it hard to keep food on the table.
Needing help doesn't define you. It simply means you could use some help right now.
Need Food Assistance?
If you or your family are having a difficult time keeping food on the table, we're here to help.
The SMA Community Food Pantry provides food assistance to Marion County individuals and families through our Shopping With Dignity model, giving you the opportunity to choose foods that work for your household.
New to the pantry? No problem. We'll help you through the registration process and explain how everything works.
What do you need to bring? Nothing at all. Identification is not required.
You don't have to face a difficult season alone.
Pantry Hours
& Contact Info
We schedule appointments at the pantry to keep wait times and crowding to a minimum.
Days & Hours
Mondays 1:30-5:00pm
Thursdays 10:00 - 1:30pm
Schedule an Appointment:
618-813-3316 (text or call)
Shopping with Dignity
Our Pantry uses a client-choice shopping model, allowing guests to select from the foods available rather than simply receiving a pre-packed box.
We believe that having choices matters.
Families have different needs, dietary restrictions, preferences, cooking abilities, and household sizes. Whenever possible, we want the pantry to feel less like receiving a handout and more like shopping for your own family.
Our goal is simple: provide food, preserve dignity, and build community.
What We Provide
The pantry offers a variety of food and household items based on availability, including:
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Fresh and shelf-stable foods
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Meat and other protein options
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Dairy and other refrigerated items
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Fruits and vegetables
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Bread and baked goods
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Pantry staples
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Seasonal food and special distributions
The selection changes frequently based on donations and available food resources, so there is always something new to discover.
More than a Food Pantry
We believe hunger is about more than an empty refrigerator.
That's why the SMA Pantry is becoming part of a larger community of support. Through The Gathering Place and partnerships with local organizations, churches, businesses, and community programs, we hope to connect our guests with opportunities, resources, relationships, and practical support.
Want to Help?
The SMA Pantry is powered by people who care.
There are many ways to be part of this ministry:
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Volunteer. Help us serve our neighbors, stock shelves, organize food, or other assistance.
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Donate. Financial gifts and food donations help us provide more food to more families.
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Partner. Churches, businesses, organizations, schools, and community groups can help us meet needs throughout our community.
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Share. Tell someone who may need our help that we are here.
Together, we can do more than fill a grocery cart.
We can help make sure our neighbors don't face hunger alone.
Our goal is simple: provide food, preserve dignity, and build community.