SNAP (food stamps)
Monthly grocery benefits loaded on an EBT card. Kentucky families apply through kynect.ky.gov or the local DCBS office. Income and household size determine the benefit amount.
Apply on kynectResource guide
Food assistance in Kentucky
If you need help buying groceries in Kentucky, several programs can stretch your food budget. This guide covers every option Anderson County families can use, from SNAP and WIC to local pantries and summer meals for kids.
Kentucky food assistance programs
WIC (women, infants, children)
Free healthy foods, formula, and nutrition support for pregnant women, new mothers, and children under 5. Apply through the Anderson County Health Department.
Kentucky WIC infoSummer EBT / SUN Bucks
$120 per eligible school-age child during summer break. Most families are auto-enrolled. Learn how it works and what to do if a card does not arrive.
Read the Summer EBT guideSenior Food Program (CSFP)
Monthly USDA commodity food boxes for income-eligible Kentuckians age 60 and over. Open Hands distributes these boxes in Lawrenceburg every month.
Call Open Hands: (502) 839-0094School meals (free & reduced)
Free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch for eligible children during the school year. Anderson County Schools accepts applications each fall and on request.
Anderson County SchoolsFood pantries and community meals
Open Hands Community Food Pantry provides free groceries, emergency food boxes, and hot community meals for Anderson County residents.
See pantry hoursHow to get free groceries in Kentucky
Follow these steps in order. You can use more than one program at the same time.
- 1
Start with a food pantry
You do not need to be enrolled in SNAP to visit a food pantry. Bring a picture ID with your current address (or a bill with your address) and proof of income. Anderson County residents can visit Open Hands during regular hours.
- 2
Apply for SNAP
SNAP is Kentucky's main food benefit program. A household of one can qualify with monthly gross income up to about $1,632; a household of four up to about $3,380. Apply through kynect.ky.gov, by phone at 1-855-306-8959, or at the Anderson County DCBS office.
- 3
Check every benefit you qualify for
kynect screens for SNAP, KTAP, Medicaid, KCHIP, and child care assistance in one application. Getting one benefit often means your children are auto-enrolled for Summer EBT and free school meals.
- 4
Ask about senior and child programs
Adults 60+ can enroll in the Senior Food Program at Open Hands. Families with children under 5 should apply for WIC. School-age children may qualify for free or reduced school meals plus Summer EBT.
- 5
Use community meals
Open Hands hosts a free sit-down community meal prepared by local churches and free holiday meals on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. No documentation is required for a community meal.
Anderson County pantry eligibility
To receive groceries from Open Hands, please:
- Live in Anderson County, Kentucky
- Bring a picture ID with current address, or a bill showing your current address
- Bring proof of income (pay stubs, benefits letter, or self-declared income)
- No appointment needed for regular pantry hours
Questions about qualifying? Call (502) 839-0094 before you come.
Visit Open Hands
Anderson County's community food pantry is here when you need it.
- Address
- 1111 Industrial Park Road
Lawrenceburg, KY 40342 - Phone
- (502) 839-0094
Pantry hours
- MondayClosed
- Tuesday9:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Wednesday9:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Thursday12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
- Friday9:00 am – 3:00 pm
- SaturdayClosed
- SundayClosed
Frequently asked questions
How do I get free groceries in Kentucky?
The fastest way is to visit a local food pantry. Anderson County residents can come to Open Hands Community Food Pantry at 1111 Industrial Park Road, Lawrenceburg, during regular hours. For monthly help, apply for SNAP at kynect.ky.gov.
What food assistance programs are available in Kentucky?
Kentucky offers SNAP (food stamps), WIC for women and young children, Summer EBT for school-age kids, the Senior Food Program (CSFP) for adults 60+, free and reduced-price school meals, and local food pantries such as Open Hands.
Who qualifies for SNAP in Kentucky?
Most Kentucky households under about 130% of the federal poverty level qualify. A household of one can qualify with gross monthly income around $1,632, and a household of four around $3,380. Assets, expenses, and household composition also affect eligibility.
How do I apply for food stamps in Kentucky?
Apply online at kynect.ky.gov, call 1-855-306-8959, or visit the Anderson County Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) office. Most applications receive a decision within 30 days; emergency SNAP can be approved in 7 days.
Do I need to be on SNAP to use a food pantry?
No. Food pantries are open to anyone in need. Open Hands serves any Anderson County resident who brings a picture ID with current address and proof of income.
What if I do not have an ID?
Bring any document that shows your current Anderson County address, such as a utility bill, lease, or piece of mail. Call Open Hands at (502) 839-0094 before visiting if you are not sure what to bring.
Is there food help for seniors in Anderson County?
Yes. The Senior Food Program (CSFP) provides monthly USDA commodity food boxes for income-eligible Kentuckians age 60 and up. Open Hands distributes these boxes in Lawrenceburg.
Where can I get food after hours in Lawrenceburg?
Open Hands operates during posted hours only. For emergency food outside those hours, call 2-1-1 (United Way of Kentucky) for referrals, or contact a local church. In a true emergency, dial 911.
This guide is a community resource from Open Hands Community Food Pantry. Program rules and income limits are set by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services and USDA. Verify current eligibility at kynect.ky.gov.