When you're homeless in Denver, knowing where your next meal is coming from is survival. Denver has a strong network of free meal programs, but schedules change, information online is often outdated, and nobody puts it all in one place. This guide does exactly that.
Quick Tip
If you need food right now, dial 2-1-1. They maintain an up-to-date database and can direct you to the closest option.
Daily Meals (7 Days a Week)
Denver Rescue Mission — Lawrence Street Community Center
Address: 2222 Lawrence St., Denver, CO 80205 · Phone: 303-294-0157
Meals: Breakfast 5:30 AM · Lunch 12:00 PM · Dinner 8:00 PM — 7 days/week
The single most reliable meal program in Denver. Three meals a day, every day. Also offers laundry, showers, and restrooms.
St. Francis Center
Address: 2323 Curtis St. · Phone: 303-297-1576 · Hours: 6 AM – 6 PM daily
Day center with meals, storage (when available), and satellite medical clinic.
Weekday Programs (Monday – Friday)
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
1530 Logan St. · Sandwiches & coffee, Mon–Fri at 8:30 AM (rear door)
Open Door Ministries
1567 Marion St. · Mon–Fri 7 AM – 5:30 PM · Coffee, tea, snacks, wifi
Haven of Hope (Father Woody's)
1101 W. 7th Ave. · 303-607-0855 · Mon–Fri 7 AM – 1 PM · Lunch, showers, laundry
Specific Day Programs
Monday
Peoples Presbyterian Church
2780 York St. · Hot lunch at noon · 303-297-9071
Tuesday
Jordan AME Church
2900 Milwaukee St. · Hot lunch at noon · 303-322-7427
Wednesday – Friday
Trinity United Methodist
1820 Broadway · Hot lunch 11 AM – 1 PM · 303-839-1493
Saturday
Agape Christian Church
2501 California St. · Hot lunch at 11:30 AM · 303-296-2454
Capitol Heights Presbyterian
1100 Fillmore St. · Lunch at 11:30 AM
Food Pantries (Take-Home)
Metro Caring
1100 E. 18th Ave. · 303-860-7200 · M/T/Th/F 9–3:30, Wed 9–noon
Food boxes, plus ID vouchers, diapers, employment help.
Denver Rescue Mission — Ministry Outreach Center
5725 E. 39th Ave. · Mon–Fri 8:30–11:30 AM · Once per month with photo ID.
Denver Urban Ministries (DenUM)
1717 E. Colfax Ave. · 303-355-4896 · Food boxes, diapers, formula, employment, ID/utilities.
Tips for Navigating Meals
Plan by geography. Downtown near Curtis/Lawrence = Denver Rescue Mission + St. Francis. Capitol Hill = church network by day.
Arrive early. First-come, first-served programs run out. The Rescue Mission is most consistent.
Weekend gaps are real. Saturdays have fewer options; Sundays are thinnest outside the Rescue Mission. Get pantry items on Friday if possible.
EBT supplements everything. Rely on free meals during the week and save your SNAP balance for weekends. See our SNAP guide.
Something Wrong or Missing?
Meal programs change constantly. If something here is wrong or you know a program we missed, email william@homelessdenver.com.