Relieving Hunger
Meals
Everyone is welcome to walk through our open doors and get a free, hot, prepared meal two times a day, every day of the year. Lunch is served from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm and dinner is served from 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm.
First Time Visitors:
We are glad you’re here! If you have any questions, please speak with a team member at reception or at the outreach desk in the back of the dining room near the steps. Staff are available during meals to help with basic needs and make connections to other needed services. Printed information about our policies and services can be found at the reception desk.
Fresh Choice Pantry
The Fresh Choice Pantry looks like a small grocery store where community members can select food items that meet their needs at no cost. The pantry is located at Matt Talbot and contains refrigerated items such as meat, produce, and dairy products, as well as canned and boxed food items.
Sign-up for the Fresh Choice Pantry is located at the back of the dining room near the stairs. Community members may sign up on the day of their visit for a 10-minute time slot during the pantry's open hours. Each community member can visit the pantry once per calendar month, but does not necessarily need to wait 30 days between visits.
At the opening time, the names of those signed up for the Fresh Choice Pantry will be called from the Outreach desk. Only a few names will be called at a time, so there’s no need to worry if your name isn’t called right away. Once your name is called, a Matt Talbot staff member or volunteer will escort you to the pantry. We recommend staying in our dining room during the pantries open hours, if possible, to avoid missing your turn. Some people may finish early, which can bump up appointment times.
PANTRY HOURS:
Monday: 1-3pm
Wednesday: 1-3pm
Thursday: 5-6:30pm
Friday: 1-3
SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), provides low-income households with debit cards to buy food each month. Staff from the Food Bank's SNAP Outreach Program come to our dining room on a regular basis to provide information and application assistance to guests.
Nutrition
Matt Talbot has a history of being proactive and innovative in making nutrition a priority. Staff work with guests and volunteer hunger relief teams to encourage preparing meals that include low-fat protein and calcium foods, adequate fruits and vegetables (especially fresh or frozen), low sodium foods, as well as whole grains. Maximizing the overall nutritional content of the meals served at Matt Talbot will help guests prevent or manage chronic conditions related to diet such as obesity, diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.
Our primary nutrition initiative is our Freshen Your Plate program. This initiative enhances the nutritional quality of our meals with the offer of one fresh fruit or vegetable with each plate served. Our goal is to ensure that everyone who dines with us receives nutritious food that supports their overall health and well-being.
We also have a vegetable, herb, and flower garden on-site called "Hope Garden" that is maintained by staff, guests, and volunteers.
Nutrition Classes
Nutrition classes are offered at Matt Talbot every fourth Wednesday of the month at 10 AM to provide guidance on how to prepare nutrient-dense meals and snacks, as well as how to lead a healthy lifestyle. Topics include:
MyPlate
Plan: Know What's for Dinner
Shop: Get the Best for Less Shop for Value
Check the Facts (nutrition fact labels) - Choosing to Move More Throughout the Day
Smart Size Your Portions, the Right Size for You
Fix it Safe (food safety)
To sign up, visit the reception desk or call (402) 477-4116.