Celebrating 60 Years of Service & Impact
Community Assistance Network proudly marks six decades of empowering communities, supporting families, and building brighter futures.
Thank you for being part of our journey!
Community Assistance Network’s Community Choice Pantry provides a one-week supplement of healthy food to low- income-eligible, Baltimore County residents based on USDA food pyramid guidelines. Food is distributed to our neighbors based on household size. Larger families can expect to receive a supplement that adequately addresses the needs of their family. Please be advised that items may vary depending on donations received and available inventory.
The CAN Community Choice Pantry works diligently to secure donations of pet food, household and hygiene products. These items are available to our neighbors as supplies last. If there is anything else you need, please pantry staff know, and we will do our best to accommodate your request when possible.
The Choice Pantry Model
Prior to our renovation and expansion in 2022 volunteers previously pre-packed and distributed boxes of food and bags of meat to our neighbors in need. We now invite individuals and families to shop with dignity and the right to make their own choices in our Community Choice Pantry. The choice model allows neighbors to shop in our newly renovated pantry which resembles a grocery store and to choose items that their family will eat while taking religious, and cultural preferences as well as dietary restrictions and chronic health conditions into account.
Documentation Needed to Sign Up for Pantry Services
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Income Guidelines
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Spanish
2026 Holiday Closings
December 31, 2025
January 1, 2026
Martin Luther King Day - January 19, 2026
President's Day - February 16, 2026
Memorial Day - May 25, 2026
Juneteenth - June 19, 2026
Labor Day - September 7, 2026
Indigenous People's Day - October 12, 2026
Veteran's Day - November 11, 2025
Thanksgiving Holiday - November 25, 2026 through November 27, 2026
Christmas Holiday - December 25, 2026 through 12/25/2026
New Year Holiday- December 30, 2026 through December 31, 2026
Hours of Operation
The Community Choice Pantry is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9am-10:45am and 1pm-2:45pm. You must be signed in by 10:45am or 2:45pm respectively to receive services.
We reserve the right to close early if we reach capacity for the day.
We strongly encourage you to follow the Community Assistance Network on Facebook and pay close attention to our announcement screen in the lobby as we post valuable information regarding events, closings, and alternative pantry operation hours. The information posted on our Facebook page is up to date and can prevent you from coming to the pantry on a day we are closed or observing alternative distribution hours.
Inclement Weather Delays and Closings
The CAN Pantry follows Baltimore County Schools for ALL closings and delays. If Baltimore County schools are closed due to inclement weather, the pantry will be closed. If Baltimore County Schools are late due to inclement weather, the CAN pantry and main office will open late. Please be advised that there may be inclement weather situations during which county schools do not close or delay, but CAN will. We strongly advise you to call 410-285-4674 or visit our Facebook page (Community Assistance Network) for up-to-date information regarding inclement weather delays or closings before traveling to the Community Choice Pantry.
When we delay opening for inclement weather, the Community Choice Pantry will open at 11 am and we will service neighbors until 2:45 pm.
Notices
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To ensure that everyone can shop comfortably and efficiently, only ONE adult per family is allowed to shop in the pantry.
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While you are welcome to bring your children, the wait time to shop can be lengthy.
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All dependent children over the age of 12 will be asked to wait in the lobby while you shop.
We appreciate your understanding as we strive to provide you with exceptional service.