Food Pantry
Everyone is welcome at Gather to Grow’s food pantry where registered guests choose from a wide range of fresh and cultural foods through our “free food store.”
Location
Gather to Grow’s food pantry is located at 208 Bates Street in Lewiston. The entrance to the food pantry is in the back of the building.
Hours
Our hours of operation are: Tuesdays, 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm and Fridays, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm.
Parking
ON STREET PARKING ONLY. Our parking lot is closed for the winter to guests do to safety. Be mindful of parking lot restrictions along Bates Street and Blake Street. There is 1-2 handicap spots on the Walnut Street entrance outside .
Identification (ID)
Guests to the pantry do not need to show proof of residence or income. It is helpful however, to bring identification (ID) for the first visit to register but no one is turned away without information. If using a passport we encourage guests to bring only a US passport.
Registration
Guests to the pantry will need to register prior to receiving food. Registration information is minimal and community members can be listed as anonymous if needed.
How Often to Visit
Registered guests are welcome to visit the pantry one time per week per household, either Tuesday OR Friday. This guideline helps us ensure that families receive groceries at least once during a week.
Tuesdays are our busiest day, especially between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. We ask people who have flexible schedules to visit after 3:30 pm on Tuesday or after 10:00 am on Friday. We also encourage people who struggle with crowds to come later on Tuesday or visit on Friday.
Scroll to the bottom for more details on “how the pantry works.”
What We Offer
- A grocery style food pantry where people can choose their food
- Fresh fruits and vegetables, canned goods, dry goods, frozen meat, bread and when possible eggs & milk*
- Language support and translation: Gather to Grow staff speak a wide range of languages including French, Lingala, Portuguese, Spanish, Somali and Swahili. For languages we cannot speak we use translators to support communication. We are always happy to accomodate!
What We Ask of Guests
- Visit our food pantry only one time per calendar week (Monday thru Friday) either Tuesday OR Friday, not both days
- Do not send others from your household to shop at the pantry the same day or the same week you have already visited
- Take only the food you will use and enjoy to limit waste and leave enough for others
- Bring a reusable shopping bag for your food when you visit if possible
Gather what we need.
“It is a wonderful place to get nutritious food! The staff and volunteers are there because they care.“
– Pantry Guest
How the Food Pantry Works
The entrance to the food pantry is in the back of the building at 208 Bates Street.
Upon arriving, you will receive a number. On Tuesdays, numbers are given out beginning at 11:00 am. On Fridays numbers are given out beginning at 8:00 am.
Once the pantry opens, numbers are called and you and other guests will enter the building where you will check-in at our registration desk with your name. After check-in, you will wait in our waiting area until your number is called one final time. You’ll then enter our pantry store and choose your groceries, staying within the number guidelines.
First Time Visits
The first time you visit the food pantry you will be asked to provide the following information: name, address, date of birth, number of people in your household, number of children in your household.
You do not need to show proof of residence or income. It is helpful for you to bring identification (ID) for your first visit. No one is turned away for not being able to provide some or most of this information.
Why Numbers?
For a time, we used to run the food pantry without people receiving numbers. However, our food pantry has grown and we now see a lot of people in a very short amount of time, speaking many languages, that we have found that numbers help all of us stay more organized, calm, and comfortable.
Find Food
Food Resource Guide for Androscoggin County – LAST UPDATED DEC. 16, 2026. CHECK BACK FOR NEW UPDATES
Lewiston Auburn Food Pantries – CURRENTLY BEING UPDATED CHECK BACK
State-wide Food Map through Good Shepherd Food Bank – English
Food Assistance by County – English
Volunteer
Our Food Pantry is people powered! We move more than 10,000 lbs of food through our building every week and sometimes serve up to 600 households. If you are able and interested to help please take a moment and fill out our volunteer application. We are especially looking for help unloading food on Mondays between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.
