A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Gaston, North Carolina distribute groceries to individuals or families who are in some form of an emergency situation.
There are also meals, free bags of food, personal toiletries and household goods for low to moderate income families from food pantries near you.
Distribution centers can include churches, non-profit organizations, community action agencies, and many other local charities as well as non-profits.
Salvation Army Food Pantry
The Salvation Army is dedicated to eliminating food insecurity.
The Salvation Army operates free local food banks around Gaston, North Carolina from almost all of their local social service centers. The charity organization is involved in feeding millions of families each year, with a large percentage of those assisted being children as well as the elderly.
We have located 2 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in Gaston, North Carolina which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army Store & Donation Center (Gastonia)
Services provided :
- Drop Box
- Salvation Army Family Store
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (704) 867-8034 to book your appointment.
Address :
1876 S New Hope Rd,
Gastonia, NC 28054.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Counties:
- Gaston
The Salvation Army - GASTONIA, NC
Services provided :
- Boys' & Girls' Club
- Camping Activities
- Casework Services
- Character Building Programs
- Christian Education
- Day Camp Activities
- Disaster Services
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Emergency Shelter
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Group Work Services
- Homemaker Services
- Men's Ministries
- Music & Arts Programs
- Seasonal Services
- Senior Citizen Clubs
- Senior Citizens Residences
- Transitional Housing
- Visitation Services
- Women's Ministries
- Worship Services - Children's / Teen
- Worship Services - Church
- Worship Services - Sunday School
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (704) 867-6145 to book your appointment.
Address :
107 S Broad St,
Gastonia, NC 28052.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Counties:
- Gaston
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around Gaston, North Carolina have food pantries for those in their neighborhoods who are in need of food items.
Churches operate with food donations gathered and deliver to the food pantry nearest you by individuals using food drives.
Some churches also deliver food items to elderly who are unable to drive to a nearest community food pantry. Please contact your local church directly.
We have located 4 Church Food Pantry locations in Gaston, North Carolina which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Our Lady of Consolation Church
We are a Beacon of Hope, as an outreach ministry, to those who are in need of food in times of emergency. We also direct them to other agencies which may provide further assistance. The pantry is supported by generous donations from our church members, the Diocese of Charlotte and other Catholic churches. Food is distributed on Tuesdays and Fridays by appointment only.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call to book your appointment.
Address :
1235 Badger Ct,
Charlotte, NC 28206.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: 11:30 AM - 01:00 PM
- Wed: Closed
- Thurs: Closed
- Fri: 11:30 AM - 01:00 PM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Cabarrus
- Chester
- Gaston
- Iredell
- Lancaster
- Lincoln
- Mecklenburg
- Rowan
- Union
- York
Mount Zion Restoration Church
Our food pantry provides free food to feed families and individuals in need every Wednesday. We supply groceries for residents that do not have enough food because they lack the resources to purchase it. We serve everyone from low income families, single parents, senior citizens, unemployed individuals, disabled veterans, working poor, and anyone else that comes to the pantry for food assistance. We serve everyone regardless of their race, color, or religion. The amount of food given depends on household size.
Documents required:
• Photo ID
• Registration form (You will fill this out on your first visit and renew the form every two months if you continue to visit the food pantry.)
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (704) 864-8616 to book your appointment.
Address :
2311 Crescent Ln,
Gastonia, NC 28052.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: Closed
- Wed: 08:30 AM - 11:00 AM
- Thurs: Closed
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Cities:
- Gastonia
New Covenant Church
Our food pantry provides free food to feed families and individuals in need. We supply groceries for residents that do not have enough food because they lack the resources to purchase it. We serve everyone from low income families, single parents, senior citizens, unemployed individuals, disabled veterans, working poor, and anyone else that comes to the pantry for food assistance. We serve everyone regardless of their race, color, or religion. The amount of food given depends on household size.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (704) 865-7729 to book your appointment.
Address :
631 Efird St,
Gastonia, NC 28054.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: 11:30 AM - 01:30 PM
- Wed: Closed
- Thurs: 11:30 AM - 01:30 PM
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Cities:
- Gastonia
Christ’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Food Pantry
Food Pantry Every Thursday from 11:00am to 12:30pm
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (704) 263-2621 to book your appointment.
Address :
203 S Main St,
Stanley, NC 28164.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Stanley
Help Residents of Counties:
- Gaston
Catholic Charities Food Pantry
Resources provided by the Catholic Charity organization focus on addressing food, holiday, and immigration needs.
Families of all religions, backgrounds, and cultures can contact Catholic Charity centers for help.
Catholic Charities in Gaston, North Carolina are open to families on a first-come, first-serve basis. The centers operate during normal business hours, and provide walk-ins with groceries, food boxes, and items to prepare a meal.
The food pantries are like grocery stores, allow clients the ability to choose the items they need from the groceries that are available on site.
First-time clients of the food pantry will need to apply, and this is done from a one-page application. An applicant will need to provide basic household member as well as demographic information.
We have located 0 Catholic Charities Food Pantry locations in Gaston, North Carolina which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Helping Hands Food Pantry
Helping Hands is a faith-based 501(c)(3) food pantry operated around Gaston, North Carolina almost entirely by volunteers.
It provides a 7-day supply of groceries and personal care items free of charge to people in need, regardless of their religious beliefs.
Helping Hands is supported entirely by donations from individuals, service organizations, churches, and businesses in our community.
Find a local helping hands food pantry open near you.
We have located 0 Helping Hand Food Pantry locations in Gaston, North Carolina which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Mobile Food Pantry
The mobile food pantry program distributes food directly to families in communities around Gaston, North Carolina in need during large-scale one-day distributions.
A typical mobile pantry serves 200-250 families distributing up to 10,000 pounds of food. This past year over 6.6 million pounds were distributed through this program.
Mobile food pantries usually visit churches, community centers, schools, shopping centers, and other convenient locations. They usually go to areas where there aren't grocery stores or other food pantries.
Mobile Food Pantry Schedule 2024
Unlike traditional food pantries where you go to them, mobile pantry trucks come to you. Food banks sometimes have an online mobile food pantry schedule.
Mobile food pantry scheduled to visit a community once a week or once a month. There may be last-minute cancellations or changes so recheck the mobile food pantry schedule before you plan to go.
We have located 0 Mobile Food Pantry locations in Gaston, Model.Content.StateName which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
The St. Vincent de Paul food pantry operates around Gaston, North Carolina much like a grocery store where people in need can choose their own food. It helps to enhance their personal dignity and reduces waste due to unwanted food items.
It also helps them to be proactive in addressing any underlying health issues. This is our model of choice for food pantries in the future.
We have located 0 St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry locations in Gaston, North Carolina which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Food Pantry Delivery Program
Food Pantry Delivery Program delivers food and other products once a month at twenty points in around Gaston, North Carolina area. This makes it just a bit easier for some of more remote rural agencies to receive their products. About 70% of members take advantage of the Food Pantry Delivery Program.
Food Pantry
We have located 9 Food Pantry locations in Gaston, North Carolina which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Mercy Matters
Mercy Matters works to provide the mercy of fresh water, basic food, clothing, beds, and other necessities in North Carolina, South Carolina and abroad. Our goals are pretty simple. We try to go where God leads us and provide basic necessities. Our focus is on children and families. We work primarily around Charlotte, NC, Charleston, SC and Nicaragua.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- baby supplies
- baby clothes
- clothing
- furniture
- supplies for school
- toys & gifts
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (704) 756-9539 to book your appointment.
Address :
300 Eagle Bend Dr,
Waxhaw, NC 28173.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Tues: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Wed: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Thurs: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Fri: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Cabarrus
- Chester
- Gaston
- Iredell
- Lancaster
- Lincoln
- Mecklenburg
- Rowan
- Union
- York
- Berkeley
- Charleston
- Dorchester
Crisis Assistance Ministry
CAM provides emergency assistance with food to low-income households in the greater Gastonia community. We provide food from an on-site pantry.
CAM offers two options for food. A full CAM food order, which requires an interview, includes all foods available in the CAM pantry and USDA food for those who are USDA income eligible. A USDA food only option is available and can be received without documentation and requires no interview. Requests for food assistance are processed more quickly than those for financial assistance when staffing allows.
For a full CAM food order, you should expect a lengthy wait at CAM to meet with an interviewer to asses your situation. During your interview, we will address your current situation and discuss ways to help you improve your financial situation. Please be prepared to explain what created your crisis and to discuss all household income and expenses. CAM may require that you or others in your home search for work or apply for other benefits to improve your situation before we offer assistance. We may also require you access services at another agency before being interviewed at CAM if we believe they can better meet your needs. We cannot guarantee that if you are interviewed, you will be offered assistance.
The following can make your visit less stressful:
• Be sure to bring every document needed. We cannot serve you without all of this information.
• Arrive early during busy times to assure that you can be seen.
• Wear weather appropriate clothing when waiting outside for our office to open. The line forms early during the busiest times of the year.
• Bring a book or something to read. If accompanied by your children, bring something to entertain them, adequate diapers and formula, a snack, and other supplies needed for a lengthy wait.
• Be honest about your situation. If we discover that you have been untruthful, we will not offer assistance. We will verify information with your landlord and other agencies.
Documents Required:
• Picture ID for the applicant
• Social Security documentation for all household members
• Proof of Address
• Proof of all household income
• Expense receipts for the circumstance you identify as creating your crisis: car repair, home repair, etc.
• Landlord’s name and phone number.
For more specific information about what to bring, please visit our website.
Applicants are seen on a first-come, first-serve basis during our regular hours. We stop accepting new requests when we become full for the day regardless of the time.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (704) 867-8901 to book your appointment.
Address :
805 W Airline Ave,
Gastonia, NC 28052.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 09:00 AM - 02:00 PM
- Tues: 09:00 AM - 02:00 PM
- Wed: 09:00 AM - 02:00 PM
- Thurs: 09:00 AM - 02:00 PM
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
B.R.E.A.D. Inc.
Our food pantry provides free food to feed families and individuals in need. We serve everyone from low income families, single parents, senior citizens, unemployed individuals, disabled veterans, working poor, and anyone else that comes to the pantry for food assistance. We serve everyone regardless of their race, color, or religion.
Once a week, clients can come by on Tuesdays or Thursdays and wait in line to get bread and drinks. Once a month clients can pick up groceries in addition to their weekly bread and drinks.
Documents Required:
-Proof of Income and Expenses
-Photo Identification
-Names of those in your household
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (704) 854-9221 to book your appointment.
Address :
161 W Franklin Blvd, #B,
Gastonia, NC 28052.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Wed: Closed
- Thurs: 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Gaston
Greater Gaston Baptist Association
Through our Community Ministries we serve the community by providing food, clothing and household items to families and individuals in need. We supply groceries and items for residents that do not have enough because they lack the resources to purchase it. We serve everyone from low income families, single parents, senior citizens, unemployed individuals, disabled veterans, working poor, and anyone else that comes to us for assistance. We serve everyone regardless of their race, color, or religion. The amount given depends on household size.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- clothing
- home goods
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (704) 867-7257 to book your appointment.
Address :
1607 Rankin Lake Rd,
Gastonia, NC 28052.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 09:00 AM - 11:30 AM
- Tues: 09:00 AM - 11:30 AM
- Wed: 09:00 AM - 11:30 AM
- Thurs: 09:00 AM - 11:30 AM
- Fri: 09:00 AM - 11:30 AM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Cities:
- Gastonia
Lakeshore Christian Fellowship
The Lakeshore Pantry exists to provide individuals and families of York & Gaston Counties with gifts of food during difficult economic seasons.
Currently we offer a food pantry from two different locations. At each location everyone is warmly welcomed, served refreshments and then given an inspirational Christ centered devotional message before the food is distributed.
Simply show up to The Lakeshore Pantry at the designated give times listed to the left. You will need to fill out a short form upon arrival. You can also fill out this form from our website. All food is given out on a first come first serve basis.
You should expect to receive 2 bags of groceries that consist of dry goods and non-perishable items such as canned vegetables, canned fruits, soups, rice, cereal, etc.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (803) 548-2755 to book your appointment.
Address :
2200 Brookneal Dr,
Gastonia, NC 28054.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: Closed
- Wed: 06:30 PM - 08:15 PM
- Thurs: Closed
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Cities:
- Rock Hill
- Gastonia
Hearts and Hands Food Pantry
The Hearts and Hands Food Pantry exists to provide temporary and emergency food aid to individuals and families in Huntersville and the greater Charlotte area. We not only provide for food needs, but to also stock personal care items and baby care items which tend to be sacrificed first in financial crisis.
If you cannot make regular service hours, you can call to make an appointment.
Services provided :
- emergency food
- food pantry
- baby supplies
- personal care items
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (704) 885-5828ext to book your appointment.
Address :
202 S Old Statesville Rd,
Huntersville, NC 28078.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: Closed
- Wed: Closed
- Thurs: 03:00 PM - 06:00 PM EST
- Fri: 04:00 PM - 07:00 PM EST
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Cabarrus
- Chester
- Gaston
- Iredell
- Lancaster
- Lincoln
- Mecklenburg
- Rowan
- Union
- York
Phoenix Counseling Center
Phoenix Community Outreach Center operates as a daily safe haven to those individuals and families experiencing homelessness or transition in our area. We serve breakfast at 8AM and lunch at 12PM. Resources may include but are not limited to: safe & comfortable day shelter from the outside elements, shower and laundry facilities, receiving mail center, access to food pantry and clothing closet services, and access to staff to work on getting connected to necessary community resources such as housing, transportation, medical care, childcare, and behavioral health services.
Services provided :
- weather relief
- food pantry
- meals
- clothing
- personal hygiene
- navigating the system
- help find childcare
- help find housing
- one-on-one support
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call to book your appointment.
Address :
809 W Airline Ave,
Gastonia, NC 28052.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 08:00 AM - 04:30 PM EST
- Tues: 08:00 AM - 04:30 PM EST
- Wed: 08:00 AM - 04:30 PM EST
- Thurs: 09:00 AM - 04:30 PM EST
- Fri: 09:00 AM - 04:30 PM EST
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Gaston
Belmont Community Organization
The Belmont Community Organization (BCO), established out of Christian love and concern, is a charitable, volunteer ministry dedicated to providing emergency aid for needy families and individuals in the greater Belmont and New Hope areas. The BCO offers assistance with the basic necessities of life: food, clothing, shelter, medicine, fuel, utilities and household furnishings. The BCO seeks to relieve the hardships of clients in crisis situations and to help those with long-term needs or chronic problems by referring them to other appropriate agencies where help is available. It does not discriminate with respect to age, race, religion, creed, or national origin. The BCO is a partner agency of Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina (SHFBM).
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (704) 825-4526 to book your appointment.
Address :
91 E Catawba St,
Belmont, NC 28012.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Belmont
Help Residents of Counties:
- Gaston
Calvary's Kitchen
Mission Statement: To serve a hearty and nutritous meal to anyone that is in need of something to eat. Whether they are homeless or just in need of a meal. They will be served no matter of religion, race, creed, color, national origin or sexual preference. We will also give food boxes to those in the community that are without food in their home. Every Friday Night 5:00-7:30
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (704) 864-4222 to book your appointment.
Address :
408 N Marietta St,
Gastonia, NC 28052.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Gastonia
Help Residents of Counties:
- Gaston
Drive-thru Food Pantries
Since the start of the coronavirus, drive-thru food pantries have become the safest, most efficient way to provide food to our struggling neighbors.
Who can visit a drive-thru pantry?
Drive-thru pantries are open for anyone who needs help getting food. There are no eligibility criteria. Visitors do not need to provide any identification or income statements.
Only two piece of information is asked
- You Zipcode, and
- Number of people in their family.
You dont need to take appointment. Drive-thru pantries are first-come, first served so plan to arrive early.
How do drive-thru pantries actually work?
There are lot of volunteers help at Drive-thru food pantries. While not all drive-thru pantries operate in the same way, here�s how most work:
Staff and volunteers direct visitors to the parking area.
Visitors pull up to the pantry in their car and are usually guided into a clearly marked queue. As people move through the pantry, staff will continue to move the cars forward to get everyone through as quickly and safely as possible.
Checkin.
You are required to fill some information for Pantry's recording keeping.
Food is loaded into the cars.
Pre-packed bags of food, usually full of shelf-stable items like pasta, canned fruit and peanut butter, as well as fresh produce and meats are loaded by volunteers into the trunk of the car.
Pet Food Pantry
One in four pet owners who give up their pets to a shelter say it is because they cannot afford to care for them. Pet Food Pantries are designed to fill the void in the nation�s current assistance programs that exclude the purchase of food and supplies for family pets.
The Pet Food Pantry provides free pet food, for 3 months or less, to pet owners who cannot afford to feed their pets in Gaston, North Carolina
Who are eligible for Pet Food Pantry
Pet Food Pantry helps people who are:
- All ages, races and marital status
- Unemployed or underemployed
- Retired, living on social security or other limited income
- Physically or mentally disabled
- Experiencing homelessness or housing instability
Tips for Visiting a Food Pantry
Show up early.
This is very important. This means you will be first in line and have a chance to get the items that are sought after and in limited quantities such as fresh produce, dairy and frozen food.
You don't usually need to show up hours ahead of time but coming at least an hour before is usually a good idea.
Remember all documentation.
Many food pantries require documentation to prove who you are, and in some cases, where you live.
This is to make sure people are not coming more than they are allowed or using fake names to do so. Call ahead of time to find out what documentation is needed.
It's just your photo ID and a piece of mail that verifies your address.
Use several food banks.
Using more than one food bank (when available) is smart because you may be able to get something at one that you may not get at another.
For instance, one may have a deal with a local gardener that gives them their extras. This may mean this food bank has more produce.
Eligible for other programs?
Ask your Department of Social Services office if you are eligible for other assistance programs to supplement your household’s food supply.
They can easily tell you if you can apply for WIC (Women and Infant Children), USDA Commodities or SNAP(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
Ask about extras.
If you have special needs for infants or special diets, the pantries may be able to assist you.
Many times, they can help with diapers, baby formula, baby food, personal hygiene products, and even special diet items like gluten free or sugar free foods.
Go on different days of the week.
Depending on the food pantry, they may be open only one or two days a week or they may be open all seven days. When you have a choice, going midweek is often best as it is less crowded.
Be polite to workers.
Nearly everyone at a food bank is a volunteer. Be polite to the workers there as they often deal with highly emotional situations.
FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?
Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.
2. What kind of food is at a food pantry?
Specifically, food banks often need items like:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. Who can go to food pantry?
At the majority of food pantries, eligibility is based on self-attested need. You do not need to have a referral, and income is not a factor to receive food.
4. What is the difference between a food pantry and a soup kitchen?
A food pantry provides three-day food packages to families that have a place to live, but not enough food. These packages are designed to provide nutritionally balanced meals. Soup kitchens serve individuals in need of a hot meal, the only meal of the day for many of them.
5. How does a food pantry work?
Food Banks acquire large donations of edible but unmarketable food from the food industry and distribute it to organizations that feed hungry people. Then they provide this food to family in a need.