Local emergency food pantries typically receive the highest volume of donations during the holiday season, but low-income families’ need for food continues year round.

If you want to donate food to your local emergency food pantry, here are some of the most-needed items, according to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. Foods six months past their expiration are not accepted, nor are homemade products or glass jars of baby food. Boxed cereals and formula are welcome if unopened and within date code.

Some pantries also accept donations of meat and dairy items; check with a pantry first to see if it will accept these items.

• Protein — Peanut butter, tuna, canned and dried beans, canned chili, soups and stews

• Carbohydrates — Nutritious breakfast cereals, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, boxed macaroni and cheese, granola bars, cheese and cracker packages

• Fruits and vegetables — Canned fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tomato sauce, jams and jelly

• Miscellaneous — Extra-virgin olive oil

Here’s a list of some local emergency food providers that work with the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. Most of them serve beyond the city or town in which they’re located, so check with each pantry about eligibility. Also, call ahead to confirm whether a pantry is open, as its hours may be different during the holidays.

Barrington

Tap-In

Where: 281 County Road (below library)

Hours: 9 a.m. to noon, Monday to Friday

More info: 401/247-1444 or www.tapinri.com

Bristol

• Bristol Good Neighbors Pantry

Where: 378 Hope St.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday-Friday for pantry; 8-10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to noon, Monday-Friday, for meal site

More info: 401/254-0726 or http://bristolgoodneighbors.org

• East Bay Food Pantry

Where: 150 Franklin St.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday (10 a.m. to noon Friday for produce only)

More info: 401/396-9490 or http://eastbayfoodpantry.org

• Friends of St. Elizabeth

Where: St. Elizabeth Church, 10 Monroe Ave., Bristol

Hours: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays

More info: 401/585-9889

East Providence

• East Bay Community Action Program Pantry

Where: 100 Bullocks Point Ave.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday and Friday; noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. Wednesday

More info: 401/437-0006, ext. 127, or www.ebcap.org

• Bread of Life Food Pantry

Where: Newman Congregational Church, 100 Newman Ave., Rumford

Hours: 5-7 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of the month; also open Tuesday, Dec. 11 and 18

More info: 401/434-4742 or www.newmanucc.org

Little Compton

Where: The Wellness Center, 115 East Main Road, Little Compton

Hours: 9-10 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays

More info: 401/635-2722

Seekonk

Portuguese SDA Church Pantry

Where: 781 Newman Ave.

Hours: 6:30-7:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month

More info: 508/761-9181

Tiverton

East Bay Community Action Program

Where: 1048 Stafford Road

Hours: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday; also by appointment

More info: 401/625-5134 or www.ebcap.org

Warren

St. Vincent de Paul Society Food Pantry

Where: St. Mary of the Bay, 645 Main St.

Hours: 3-6 p.m. Tuesday; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday

More info: 401/245-7000, ext. 19, or www.stmaryofthebay.com

Westport

Where: Food for Friends, Council on Aging Senior Center, 75 Reed Road, Westport

Hours: 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursdays (except on holidays) and from 9 a.m. to noon the third Saturday or each month; donations can be dropped off between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday to Friday

More info: 508/636-1026 (Open only for Westport residents who are in need of food; residents must be at least 18 and have photo ID.)

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