Local ABQ Eateries Stepping Up for Families in Need
By Bree | Keeping Up in Albuquerque
When times get tough, Albuquerque shows up for one another. With benefit interruptions and furloughs hitting local families hard, several small businesses across the city have stepped up and they’re offering free meals for kids and discounts for those impacted.
These are neighbors helping neighbors. No red tape, just kindness and community.
Meraki Coffee + Market
📍 5900 Eubank Blvd NE, Albuquerque
Offer: Free breakfast sandwich for children while SNAP benefits are on hold.
What to know: Offer applies during breakfast hours; check for daily limits or age ranges.
I Scream Ice Cream
📍 2000 Carlisle Blvd NE, Albuquerque
Offer: 50% off for furloughed federal employees and their kids.
What to know: Bring federal employee ID to redeem.
🔗 I Scream Ice Cream on Facebook
Chicken Salad Chick
📍 10621 Unser Blvd NW, Albuquerque
Offer: Free kids meals for families affected by the SNAP suspension.
What to know: Confirm availability and hours before heading in.
The Le Bakery
📍 1924 Juan Tabo Blvd NE, 87112
Offer: Free Kid’s Meal Breaks (Egg Sandwich or Cheesy Bread)
The Hopper Pub & Pizzeria
📍 5200 Eubank Blvd NE, Albuquerque
Offer: Free kids pizza per child during the current benefit suspension
What to know: Child must be present, no questions asked.
Urban Hotdog Company
📍 10250 Cottonwood Park NW, Albuquerque
📍3507 Central Ave NE, Albuquerque, 87106
Offer: Free “Classic Starter Hotdog” for children beginning November 1.
What to know: Mention “UHDC Kids Special” no questions asked.
Yeller Sub Restaurant
📍 7200 Montgomery Blvd NE G1, 87109
Offer: Free kids meals during the current benefit suspension, includes a sandwich and chips combo.
What to know:
Burrow Café
📍 12501 Candelaria Rd NE suite F, 87112
Offer: Free kid’s menu item
Available options:
Classic oatmeal with brown sugar and maple syrup
Two eggs, any style, with toast or a plain crepe
Kid-sized ham and cheese crepe
What to know: No purchase necessary. One item per child per visit. Kids must be present in-store. No questions asked.
The Homestead Café
📍 40 Tramway Rd NE, 87122
Offer: Open this week on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and offering free meals for kids.
What to know: Each meal includes a sandwich, a drink, and a snack. (Kids must be present.)
We will also have a container for non-perishable food for families who need it-free drip coffee for everyone who donates.
Richie B
📍 7200 Montgomery Blvd NE STE A2, 87109
Offer: Children 12 and under can receive one topping slice of pizza
Three Baby Birds Baking
📍 Albuquerque, NM
Offer: Free school lunches for kids while SNAP benefits are suspended.
How to order: Visit this post for details.
Mrs. Sprinkles Ice Cream
📍 3107 Eubank Blvd NE Ste 18
Offer: Free mini scoop for kids while SNAP benefits are suspended.
What to do:
Child must be present to receive the free mini scoop.
Pay it forward wall: Customers can leave a note or contribute to help other families.
Burrito Baby
📍7400 Montgomery BIvd NE #12, 87109
Offer: Small breakfast or lunch burrito during operational hours
What to do: No purchase necessary. One item per child, children must be present. No questions asked.
Say Cheese
📍 1255 Bosque Farms Blvd, Bosque Farms, NM
Offer: Free kids’ grilled cheese and chips while SNAP benefits are delayed.
Details: Beginning November 1st and continuing until benefits are restored, kids can stop by for a free grilled cheese and a bag of chips. No questions. No purchase necessary. Child must be present.
Rio Grande Social
📍 10127 Coors Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114
Offer: Complimentary breakfast platters for elderly individuals and Disabled Veterans affected by the loss of SNAP benefits.
Details: Inspired by the compassion of the Albuquerque community, Rio Grande Social is expanding its outreach to support those most affected by the delay in benefits.
Starting November 1st and continuing until SNAP benefits are restored, Rio Grande Social is stepping up to help those most impacted.
Free cheese pizza for any school-aged child affected by the SNAP benefit changes.
Complimentary Social Platter breakfast — two eggs, bacon or sausage, papitas, and toast — available Saturdays and Sundays from 9–11:45 a.m. for elderly individuals and Disabled Veterans.
They’re also encouraging the community to give back: Donate a bag of groceries (10 items or more) and receive 10% off your ticket.
No questions asked — just community supporting community.
🔗 Rio Grande Social on Instagram
MJ’s Sweet Treats
📍 Albuquerque, NM
Offer: Free lunches for those impacted by the delay in SNAP benefits.
Details:
MJ’s Sweet Treats is extending kindness to the Albuquerque community by offering free lunches to anyone affected by the SNAP benefit delays.
🔗 MJ’s Sweet Treats on Instagram
Tacos El Muchacho Alegre
📍 3107 Eubank Blvd NE & 930 Sunset Rd SW, Albuquerque, NM
Offer: Free meal for children in the Albuquerque community starting November 1st. Children must be present.
Meal option: Corn dog and fries.
How to help: You can contribute by donating non-perishable items at either location — the restaurant will match your donations to further support the community.
🔗 Tacos El Muchacho Alegre on Instagram
Grandma’s House Bakery
📍 Pick-up: Saturday, Nov. 1 at Lauren C. Boles Park, 13121 Skyview Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87123
Offer: 10 free “Sweet Comfort Boxes” for kids — no questions asked.
Details: With SNAP benefits delayed, Grandma’s House Bakery is sharing comfort and care the best way she knows how — through homemade treats. Each Sweet Comfort Box includes a soft bread roll, cookie, and brownie — cozy, heartfelt goodies made with love.
Pick up your box on Saturday, November 1st at Lauren C. Boles Park. Bring the kids, grab a comfort box, and stay to enjoy the sunshine.
To reserve a box: Send a message to Grandma’s House Bakery on Instagram to confirm your name and save one for your kids.
🔗 Grandma’s House Bakery on Instagram
Sabor a Mi
📍 Food truck (locations vary – check their Instagram for updates)
Offer: Free kids’ meals for families in need. No purchase necessary
Details: Sabor a Mi has always led with heart, and now they’re stepping up once again for families impacted by the delay in SNAP benefits. Any child in need of a meal can stop by the food truck for a free plate, no questions asked, no purchase required. Sabor a Mi is dedicated to feeding kids in need all year long.
In addition, the team is donating five full Thanksgiving dinners — each with a turkey, sides, and dessert — to local families in need.
Shake Lab
📍1540 Bosque Farms Blvd #A, Bosque Farms, NM.
Details: Until SNAP benefits are restored in New Mexico, every child who visits Shake Lab will receive a free order of mini pancakes and lemonade.
Napoli Coffee
📍3035 Menaul Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM.
Beginning November 1 and continuing until benefits are restored, kids can enjoy a free meal. No purchase necessary, no questions asked. One item per child per visit; child must be present.
Available options:
Toasted bagel with cream cheese, butter, or jam
Breakfast burrito with bacon, sausage, or beans
Oatmeal with dried fruit & brown sugar
Turkey & cheese sandwich with chips
Peanut butter & jelly sandwich with chips
Baked by Christiana
📍Nov 1, 8am-12pm at Downtown Growers Market, 810 Copper Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM.
Free sacked lunches available while supplies last.
ABQ Sweet Treats
📍 9250 Golf Course Rd NW Suite D, Albuquerque, NM 87114
Offer: Free cupcake for kids under 16 while SNAP benefits are delayed.
Details: Beginning November 1st, kids under 16 can stop by for a free cupcake — no questions asked. Children must be present. Limit of one cupcake per child.
🔗 ABQ Sweet Treats on Instagram
Juice Ritual
📍 3619 Wyoming Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111
Offer: Free smoothie for kids while SNAP benefits are paused.
Details: Until SNAP benefits are restored, every child in need can enjoy a free smoothie — no questions asked and no purchase needed. Children must be present.
Jamba Juice
📍 2100 Louisiana Blvd NE Suite 816, Albuquerque, NM 87110
📍 845 Juan Tabo Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87123
Offer: Free Kids Strawberry Whirl or Mango-A-Go-Go smoothie while SNAP benefits are paused.
Details: While SNAP benefits are paused, Jamba Juice is offering free Kids Strawberry Whirl or Mango-A-Go-Go smoothies — no purchase necessary, no questions asked.
Roni’s Mac Bar ABQ
📍 2108 Central Ave SE Suite B, Albuquerque, NM 87106
Offer: Free kids bowls beginning November 1st.
Details: Starting November 1st, Roni’s Mac Bar will be offering free kids bowls until SNAP benefits are restored.
🔗 Roni’s Mac Bar ABQ on Instagram
New Mexico Piñon Coffee
📍 2420 Comanche Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107
📍 4545 Alameda Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113
📍 5222 4th St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107
📍 1761 Rio Rancho Blvd SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
📍 2781 57th St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120
📍 2235 Wyoming Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112
Offer: Free biscochito donut for kids while SNAP benefits are suspended.
Details: While SNAP benefits remain suspended, Albuquerque parents can stop by any New Mexico Piñon Coffee location (excluding the Sunport location) and get their child a free biscochito donut. One donut per child; children must be present. No purchase necessary.
Additional Offer: Enjoy a 10% discount for public service workers, available year-round.
Details: Stop by any New Mexico Piñon Coffee location and show your cashier your ID or uniform to receive 10% off your order. Valid for police officers, firefighters, EMTs, military, nurses, doctors, and teachers.
🔗 New Mexico Piñon Coffee on Instagram
Chile Chicken
📍 3005 Eubank Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111
Offer: Free kids meals while supplies last.
Details: Chile Chicken will continue providing free meals for children while supplies last. Children 12 and under can enjoy a free meal — one meal per child, and the child must be present.
The Sourdough Girly
📍Porch Bakery in Rio Rancho,
Details: Free bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast burrito for children present on Saturdays at 10am.
Peter Piper Pizza
📍3109 San Mateo Boulevard, Albuquerque, NM, 87110
📍9260 Golf Course Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114
From Monday through Friday, between 2 p.m. - 5 p.m., kids can enjoy a $2.99 one-topping personal pizza.
Our Daily Bread
📍 1512 Blue Spruce Dr, Rio Rancho, NM
Details: Beginning November 2 and continuing until SNAP benefits are restored, Our Daily Bread will provide one egg, bacon, and cheese breakfast burrito per child present at their porch bakery — a heartfelt effort to help feed local kids in need.
🔗 Our Daily Bread on Instagram
The Crepe Brûlée
📍 6001 San Mateo Blvd NE E1, Albuquerque, NM 87109
Details: Every Wednesday until SNAP benefits return, kids 10 and under can enjoy one free menu item or a custom ice cream cup of their choice. Child must be present; no purchase necessary.
🔗 The Crepe Brûlée on Instagram
Rando’s Food Truck
📍 Mobile (locations vary)
Details: If you’re unsure where or how you’ll afford your next meal, stop by Rando’s Food Truck — they’ll make sure you’re fed, no questions asked.
🔗 Rando’s Food Truck on Instagram
Meals on Wheels of New Mexico
📍 Statewide delivery service
Offer: Home-delivered meals for anyone in need.
Details: Meals on Wheels serves individuals of any age and for any reason. Locally prepared meals are delivered daily to homes across New Mexico and can be customized for medical dietary needs. Ideal for those without transportation or the ability to prepare their own meals.
Community Support: Where to Find Help or Give It
If dining out isn’t an option, or if you’d like to help others, here are trusted local food programs supporting Albuquerque families right now:
Storehouse New Mexico — Free groceries for individuals and families. Accepts non-perishable food, toiletries, and monetary donations.
Roadrunner Food Bank — New Mexico’s largest hunger-relief organization. Donations help stock food pantries across the state.
🔗 rrfb.org
Rio Grande Food Project — Provides weekly grocery pickups and pantry boxes to local families.
🔗 rgfp.org
Businesses donating to our community (and need your support to do so!):
Link Link- Can food drive! Bring at least 5 cans and get 50% off permanent jewelry.
Squidly Store- 10% of sales this month will go to Storehouse New Mexico. Bring in a donation and get 10% off your purchase! We accept non-perishable food items and dog and cat food. Please note that glass jars are not accepted.
The ABQ Brow Girl promotion: bring a non-perishable food donation and get a free brow wax or 10% off other services. Food donations are accepted all November long! All donations will be donated to local ABQ families in need.
The Bean Food Drive: Nov 8, 11am-3pm
Where: Keller Williams Academy, 6703 Academy Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM
Details: Donate non-perishable food to benefit New Day Youth & Families and enjoy free coffee and lunch while you’re there.
Diosa Boudoir- Headshot Event Nov 15, 10am- 1pm
Where: 1751 Bellamah Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM.
Details: Sign up for a 10-minute headshot session with 2 edited images in exchange of a $25+ donation.
You can bring:
Shelf-stable groceries
Diapers
Wipes
Baby formula or baby food
Personal care basics
$25 grocery gift card
Steel Bender Brewyard- Collecting Donations for Storehouse NM
📍 8305 2nd St NW, Los Ranchos De Albuquerque, NM 87114
Details: Steel Bender Brewyard is accepting donations for Storehouse, helping support local families in need. Stop by to contribute and make a difference in the community.
🔗 Steel Bender Brewyard on Instagram
Isla Links- Bring 5 items to donate for $10 off permanent jewelry OR $15 off your lash appointment
Blue Moon Marketplace- 10% of sales donated + food drive entry giveaway
📍 400 San Felipe St NW #E, Albuquerque, NM 87104
Details: From November 1–December 24, Blue Moon Marketplace will donate 10% of all sales to local food relief efforts and collect non-perishable food items in-store. Each donated item earns an entry into a drawing for a $100 Blue Moon gift card, announced after Christmas Day.
🔗 Blue Moon Marketplace on Instagram
Rumor Brewing- Food drive + donation match through November
📍 28 Arroyo Seco Rd, Cedar Crest, NM 87008
Details: Rumor Brewing is collecting non-perishable food items throughout October and November to support the East Mountain Food Pantry (EMFP). At the end of the drive, Rumor will weigh the total donations and match the total amount.
Donation Event: Sunday, November 23 (all day) — EMFP will be onsite accepting direct donations to support their holiday drive, helping families host their own Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Every $15 donation earns two free beer cards.
A Note from Bree
Albuquerque always shows its heart when it matters most.
If you stop by one of these businesses, consider sharing your experience or donating to a local pantry; every small act keeps our community strong.
💛 Know another business offering free meals or discounts? Message me @KeepingUpinAlbuquerque so we can keep this list growing
