Phone: (919) 875-0707
Address: 3808 Tarheel Dr, Raleigh, NC 27609. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Established in 1980, the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina a nonprofit organization that has provided food for people at risk of hunger in 34 counties in central and eastern North Carolina for over 30 years. The Food Bank serves a network of more than 800 partner agencies such as soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and programs for children and adults through distribution centers in Durham, Greenville, New Bern, Raleigh, the Sandhills (Southern Pines) and Wilmington. In fiscal year 2012-2013, the Food Bank distributed nearly 52 million pounds of food and non-food essentials through these agencies. Sadly, hunger remains a serious problem in central and eastern North Carolina. In these counties, more than 560,000 struggle each day to provide enough food for their families. Nearly 30 percent of the people served by the Food Bank’s network are children, and another 8 percent are elderly. 30 percent of the families served are the “working poor†people who work hard and still have to choose between eating and other basic necessities such as medicine and housing.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Help Residents of Cities:
- Raleigh
Help Residents of Counties:
- Wake
- Chatham
- Orange
- Johnston
- Franklin
- Durham
- Wilson
- Granville
- Harnett
- Nash
Appointments
Ask whether you need an appointment before you visit.
You can call (919) 875-0707 to ask about appointments, hours, and what to bring.
Questions to Ask
Always call ahead and find out some basic information before you go to receive food.
- What are your hours of operation?
- Where can I pick up the food I need?
Document Requirements
Please ask about any documents required to prove eligibility. Some of the questions to ask:
- Do I need to bring photo identification?
- Do I need to bring a piece of mail (like an electrical bill) that shows my name and address?
- Do I need to bring proof of income or bank account statements?
- Do I need to register for service, or is it "first come, first served"?
What is a Food Bank?
Food banks are non-profit charitable organizations that assist financially vulnerable populations by distributing food. Their main objective is to help low-income individuals and families by providing food.
They will work through other 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations like food pantries and soup kitchens. Sometimes they distribute the food themselves via mobile pantry.
A food bank serves as a single collection and distribution point for food donations. They operate much like a for-profit food distributor, but they do not use retailers. Instead, they may use church food banks, charities, and other non-profit food pantries to provide food to the people to fight hunger.
How the Food Bank Works?
- 1. Food is donated to a food bank.
- 2. It is stored in a large climate-controlled warehouse.
- 3. Food Bank distributes food to various non-profits for distribution.
- 4. Food reaches people who are in need.
Who can use Food Banks?
Many food banks and food pantries are locally run, with others managed at the state or federal level. Qualification to receive nutrition assistance from food programs depends on the type.
There are different qualifying requirements, and some food banks have none. Some let you come during their days and times of operation, and they will help if they are able.
Here are some tips before you go:
- It is highly advisable to call ahead before you arrive!
- Ask about any eligibility or documentation requirements they may have.
- If required, bring all required documents when you use their services.
Feeding America
John van Hengel, the founder of St. Mary's Food Bank, went on to create a national organization for food banks. The Feeding America organization is a leader in the nation's domestic hunger-relief efforts.
High food costs continue to put pressure on America's most vulnerable citizens. Feeding America reports that its network provides 5.9 billion meals a year.
The Feeding America network has grown through donations and other charitable efforts to be able to deliver much-needed food via food rescue, hunger relief programs, and disaster response.
A listing on this page doesn't mean an organization is part of the Feeding America network. To find a member food bank, use Feeding America's finder.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that helps obtain badly needed food for low-income people and families. SNAP is also known as Food Stamp.
Nationally, SNAP served approximately 42 million Americans per month in fiscal year 2025. To ask about SNAP benefits in Raleigh, contact your state SNAP office. It is the most extensive nutrition program administered by Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and is a vital component of the social safety net for low-income Americans.
In fiscal year 2025, about 12.3% of the U.S. population received SNAP benefits in an average month.
The program had used paper "stamps" or coupons in the past – worth $1 (brown), $5 (blue), and $10 (green). These were bound into small booklets of various denominations, to be torn out individually and used in single-use exchanges.
Free Food Programs Summary
| Acronym | Name | For Moms & Kids | For Seniors | For Food Bank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SNAP | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program | Yes | Yes | No |
| TEFAP | The Emergency Food Assistance Program | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CSFP | The Commodity Supplemental Food Program | No | Yes | Yes |
| CACFP | The Child and Adult Care Food Program | Yes | Yes | No |
| NSLP | The National School Lunch Program | Yes | No | No |
| SBP | The School Breakfast Program | Yes | No | No |
| SFSP | The Summer Food Service Program | Yes | No | No |
| WIC | Women, Infants, and Children | Yes | No | No |
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 bank?
Raleigh food banks often have items like:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. How do you qualify for Raleigh food bank assistance?
Requirements vary, and some food banks and pantries ask for no paperwork at all. Call ahead. Some may ask you to bring:
- A state-issued ID
- Social Security numbers of household members
- A bill or other mail that shows your address
- Proof of income, such as a bank statement