Need a meal? Come eat — it’s free.
No questions asked. No ID. No sign-up. If you’re hungry, there’s a hot meal waiting for you at St. John’s Soup Kitchen in Newark.
More help at the kitchen
Beyond hot meals, St. John’s also runs a weekly food pantry, a Women and Children’s Center where families can eat in a calm, safe space, and a medical services unit. Just ask when you arrive.
More food help in New Jersey
Can’t get to St. John’s, or need more help? These free, official New Jersey services find food near you:
- Call 211 (or text your ZIP code to 898-211) — free, 24/7, many languages: food, shelter, utilities. nj211.org
- Find a food pantry near you — Community FoodBank of NJ locator at cfbnj.org, or call 908-838-4831 (multilingual).
- Apply for SNAP (food stamps) — free grocery benefits. Apply at nj.gov/humanservices/njsnap (MyNJHelps.gov).
- EBT card help (balance, lost card, PIN): call 1-800-997-3333.
Hours and availability change — call ahead before you travel. Free SNAP help is never paid; only state SNAP Navigators (like CFBNJ) should ask for your information.
Help in your language
Call (262) 6UNIQUE for free help in Spanish, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Arabic, and ASL — finding a meal, a warming center, or other resources. You can also read this page in Español or Kreyòl Ayisyen.
Common questions
How much does a meal cost?
Nothing. Every meal at St. John’s Soup Kitchen is completely free. There is no charge, ever.
Do I need an ID, paperwork, or to sign up?
No. In the kitchen’s own words: there are no questions asked and no conditions to be met. You simply come to the soup kitchen and grab a hot meal.
When is the soup kitchen open?
Tuesday through Saturday. Breakfast is served 8:00–9:00am and lunch 11:30am–12:30pm at 22 Mulberry Street, Newark, NJ.
Can I bring my children?
Yes. Everyone is welcome. St. John’s also runs a Women and Children’s Center where families can eat in a safe, calm space.
I don’t speak English — can someone help me?
Yes. Call the (262) 6UNIQUE help line for assistance in Spanish, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Arabic, and ASL.