Does anyone have experience with the local food pantries?

What were your experiences like? Was it a lot of hassle to sign up? Do you actually get to pick which things you want? Or do they just have you take a grab bag with whatever they put in it? For example, if I want to go to just pick up some meat items, will they allow that, or does it vary? I have a full, professional job, will that disqualify me if they ask a questionnaire?

Obviously there will be some variance in between different places, but I'm just trying to get a general sense. Thanks in advance.