Where to Get Free Food and Hot Meals in Cowlitz County... Longview & Kelso WA Resource Guide

 Where to Get Free Food and Hot Meals in Cowlitz County... Longview & Kelso WA Resource Guide

If you or someone you know needs food support in Cowlitz County, you're not alone. With the recent federal SNAP benefit pause affecting over 900,000 Washington residents, dozens of community partners across Longview, Kelso, Woodland, and Castle Rock are stepping up to ensure no one goes hungry. This guide connects you with local food pantries, hot meal programs, and senior lunch sites throughout Cowlitz County.

Food Pantries in Cowlitz County

Longview WA Food Pantries

CAP Help Warehouse

  • Address: 1526 Commerce Ave, Longview
  • Hours: Wednesdays 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. (closed 3rd Wednesday of each month)
  • Phone: (360) 425-3430 x221
  • Additional Services:
    • Senior Lunch (55+): 2nd Thursday each month
    • Commodities: 3rd Tuesday each month 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Salvation Army Food Pantry

  • Address: 1639 10th Ave, Longview
  • Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Phone: (360) 423-3990

FISH of Cowlitz County

  • Phone: (360) 636-1100
  • Hours: Weekdays 9 a.m. - noon (call for food assistance)
  • Emergency Services: 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Note: Locations vary throughout Longview and Kelso

St. Vincent de Paul

  • Address: 1222 Baltimore St, Longview
  • Hours:
    • Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.
    • 3rd Tuesday each month: 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
  • Phone: (360) 577-0662

Lexington New Song Worship

  • Address: 161 Aaron Dr., Longview
  • Hours: 2nd Tuesday each month, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Phone: (360) 560-0252

Highlands Baptist Church

  • Address: 317 20th Ave, Longview
  • Hours: 4th Thursday each month, noon - 2 p.m.

Kelso WA Food Pantries

The Refuge Kelso

  • Address: 403 N Kelso Ave, Kelso
  • Hours: Thursday 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

South Kelso Neighborhood Association

  • Address: 615 S 4th Ave, Kelso
  • Hours:
    • Tuesday: 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
    • Friday & Saturday: noon - 3 p.m.
  • Phone: (360) 747-7240
  • Additional Services: Clothing available

Kelso Eagles Food Box #1555

  • Address: 609 S. Pacific Ave, Kelso
  • Hours: 2nd Wednesday each month, noon - 3 p.m.
  • Phone: (564) 220-6922

Castle Rock WA & Woodland WA Food Banks

Castle Rock Lions Food Bank

  • Location: Eagles Hall, 224 Huntington Ave S, Castle Rock
  • Hours: Thursday 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
  • Phone: (360) 749-6149

The King's Vineyard Fellowship

  • Address: 3212 Lewis River Rd, Woodland
  • Hours:
    • Monday: 10:30 a.m. - noon
    • Friday: 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
  • Phone: (360) 225-8407

Youth Services

Janus Youth (Ages 12-24)

  • Address: 202 Washington St, Longview
  • Drop-in Hours: Tuesday - Friday, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Food Box: Thursday 1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Phone: (360) 353-5545

Free Hot Meals

Salvation Army Lunch Program

  • Address: 1639 10th Ave, Longview (alley side door)
  • Hours: Monday - Friday, 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
  • Phone: (360) 423-3990
  • Note: Free lunch for all, no requirements

PB&J at the Park

  • Location: Victoria Freeman Park (11th & Douglas), Longview
  • Hours: Saturday 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
  • Sponsored by: Emmanuel Lutheran Church
  • Phone: (360) 423-3250

Food for Change

  • Location: Victoria Freeman Park (858 9th Ave), Longview
  • Hours: Sunday 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
  • Phone: (360) 430-3176

Belly Brigade

Monday Night Meals

  • Location: Longview Community Church, 2323 Washington Way, Longview
  • Hours: Monday 5 p.m.
  • Phone: (360) 423-6380

Kelso First Baptist

  • Address: 214 South 4th Ave, Kelso
  • Hours: 2nd Friday of each month, noon - 1 p.m.
  • Phone: (360) 423-2513

Soul Showers at The Promise Church

  • Address: 1170 17th Ave, Longview
  • Hours: 3rd Saturday of each month, noon - 1 p.m.
  • Phone: (360) 453-7374

Senior Meal Sites

Hot, nutritious meals available for seniors at multiple locations throughout Cowlitz County.

Reservations Required: Call (360) 762-3111 or email deniser@lowercolumbiacap.org

Weekly Locations:

  • Monday: Kalama United Methodist Church, 111 N 2nd St, Kalama (noon - 1 p.m.)
  • Tuesday: Kelso Grounds for Opportunity, 413 S Pacific Ave, Kelso (11 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
  • Tuesday: Ryderwood Community Center, 303 Morse St, Ryderwood (noon - 1 p.m.)
  • Thursday: Cathlamet Hope Center, 320 3rd St, Cathlamet (noon - 1 p.m.)
  • Thursday: Rosburg Community Hall, 28 Rosburg Community Hall Rd, Rosburg (noon - 1 p.m.)
  • Friday: Woodland St. Philip Catholic Church, 430 Bozarth St, Woodland (noon - 1 p.m.)

Additional Food Resources

Lower Columbia School Gardens - Free Farm Stands

  • Northlake Elementary School: Every Friday
  • St. Helens, Highlands Garden (Longview), Barnes, Wallace (Kelso): Every other Thursday
  • Season: June - October

Highlands Neighborhood Association Food LifeLine

  • Location: Drive through at Archie Anderson Park, 21st Avenue and Alabama Street, Longview
  • Hours: 3rd Saturday of each month, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Finding Additional Help

Cowlitz County has a strong network of neighbors helping neighbors and community organizations providing emergency assistance:

For general community resources and referrals:

For homeless youth services (ages 12-24):

  • Janus Youth Programs: (360) 353-5545

For emergency assistance:

  • FISH of Cowlitz County: (360) 636-1100 (emergency services 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.)

Important Information About SNAP Benefits

As of November 1, 2025, federal SNAP (food stamp) benefits have been paused due to the ongoing government shutdown. Washington state is providing emergency funding to food banks to help meet increased demand. All food pantries and meal programs listed above are available to anyone in need, regardless of SNAP status.

How to Use This Guide

  1. Call ahead - Hours and availability may change. Always confirm by phone before visiting.
  2. Bring ID if possible - Some programs may require identification, but many do not.
  3. No shame - These programs exist to help our community. Everyone is welcome.
  4. Spread the word - Share this information with anyone who might need food assistance.







Location: Cowlitz County, WA, USA

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