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Has no kitchen or stove and needs to eat well anyway

Use when someone is living outside, in a car, a motel or a room with no kitchen or stove, and needs free meals and no-cook food that still feeds them well.

In danger right now: call 911. Crisis or thoughts of suicide: call or text 988. Not sure where to start? Call the Silver City Gospel Mission: 575-388-5071. Police, fire or sheriff, not an emergency: 575-388-8840 (Central Dispatch). Print our list of phone numbers → · Food pantry calendar → · Free meals calendar → · Getting there: bus and rides →
These are the same steps our staff use when they help someone. "They" means the person who needs help: you, or someone you are helping. Go in order, and call ahead when you can.
In this guide
  1. Find out how they live and eat
  2. Eat free hot meals first
  3. Get food that needs no cooking
  4. No-cook meal ideas
  5. If they have a microwave, hot plate or crockpot
  6. Keep food safe without a fridge

1Find out how they live and eat

You can ask"Where are you staying? Do you have a microwave, a hot plate, a cooler, or nothing?"
You can ask"Any trouble chewing, or a health problem like diabetes?"

2Eat free hot meals first

At the Gospel MissionThe Mission soup kitchen serves breakfast and lunch on weekdays.
SPIN (Supporting People In Need)not yet confirmed: call first
Daily community dinner
(575) 956-6131
610 N. Silver St. (cul-de-sac at 7th St. and Gold, behind the public works yard), Silver City · Shelter opens 5 pm nightly; lunch and dinner are served there. Call for meal times.
Website ↗
Silver City Street Outreach
Weekend meals at the drop-in center
575-519-5810
714 N. Bullard St. (the OASIS), Silver City · Saturdays and Sundays, 10:30am-4:00pm or until the food runs out (depends on volunteers)
Website ↗
Church of the Good Shepherd
Wednesday service and lunch; help as needed
575-538-2015
615 N Texas St, Silver City · Wednesdays 12:05pm service followed by lunch. Office Mon-Thu 9am-5pm, Fri 10am-3pm
Website ↗
The Commons Center for Food Security & Sustainability
Free monthly community dinner
575-388-2988
501 E 13th St, Silver City · Last Friday of each month, 5-7 pm
Website ↗
Silver City Senior Center (operated by the Village of Santa Clara)
Senior center and Meals on Wheels sign-up
575-597-7124
205 W Victoria St, Silver City · Lunch Mon-Fri 12:00-12:30pm
Every free meal, day by day, is on the Free meals calendar on the help site (Free meals in the top menu).

3Get food that needs no cooking

At the Gospel MissionAsk about hygiene and survival kits and weekend snack bags.
The Commons Center for Food Security & Sustainability
Snack bags for unhoused people
575-388-2988
501 E 13th St, Silver City · Pantry hours Tue-Thu 11 am-3 pm
Website ↗
Hidalgo Medical Servicesnot yet confirmed: call first
HMS Blessing Box - Silver City (24/7 free food and hygiene)
575-800-1467
114 W. 11th St., Silver City · 24/7
Website ↗
You can say"When you visit a pantry, tell them you have no stove. Many can swap in food you can eat cold."

4No-cook meal ideas

Peanut butter on tortillas, bread or crackers, with a banana or apple.
Tuna or chicken in a can or pouch, mixed into a tortilla with salsa.
Canned beans are already cooked. Rinse and eat them cold with corn, salsa and chips.
Oats soaked overnight in shelf-stable milk or water, with raisins or fruit.
Canned fruit in juice, canned vegetables, nuts, and shelf-stable milk round it out.

5If they have a microwave, hot plate or crockpot

Instant oats, instant rice, ramen with an egg or frozen vegetables, and canned soup all work.
See the guide "One-pot meals for a hot plate, crockpot or microwave".

6Keep food safe without a fridge

Do not keep leftovers, meat, milk or eggs out more than 2 hours (1 hour on hot days).
Eat open cans the same day.
Also see the guide "Wants to store food so it lasts (no bugs, no fridge)".

More help like this

Hungry today and needs food for the monthUse when someone is hungry now and also needs enough food for the rest of the month.Has special diet needs (diabetes, allergies, no teeth)Use when someone needs food that fits a health need: diabetes, food allergies, kidney or heart problems, soft food for missing teeth, or special baby formula.Someone is asking for money at your doorUse when a stranger knocks at your home or business asking for money, gas, food or a ride, and you want to stay safe, spot scams, and point them to real help.All food pantries in Grant County: places, days, times and what to bringUse when someone wants a list of every food pantry and free food distribution in Grant County, with where and when they are, who qualifies and what to bring.Wants to stock up on beans, rice, masa, flour, sugar, salt and oilUse when someone wants to buy basic staples (beans, rice, masa, flour, sugar, salt, oil) in bulk to save money and have food that lasts for months.Wants more fresh fruit and vegetables with SNAP (Double Up Food Bucks)Use when someone gets SNAP and wants more fresh fruit and vegetables. Double Up Food Bucks gives free extra money for New Mexico-grown produce at farmers markets.

See all guides in Food and basics →

This guide is general information only, not medical, legal or other professional advice. Places and rules change, so please call before you go. In an emergency, call 911; in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Disclaimer

Know a better way? Is something out of date?

If a number or place here is wrong, you know a better resource, or you know a better way to help, tell us. We automatically check reliable sources and update supported routine details. Unclear changes and safety guidance go to our staff for review.

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Print these steps · Find more places to get help · Hours and numbers change; please call ahead. Something wrong? Tell us
Questions, or want someone to walk through this with you? The Silver City Gospel Mission, 111 S. Texas St., Silver City, 575-388-5071, weekdays 9:00am-1:45pm. Everyone is welcome.