A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Chapel Hill, 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 Chapel Hill, 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 1 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in Chapel Hill, North Carolina which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army - DURHAM, NC
Services provided :
- Boys' & Girls' Club
- Camping Activities
- Casework Services
- Character Building Programs
- Christian Education
- Community Recreation Programs
- Day Camp Activities
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Food & Nutrition
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Latchkey Programs
- Men's Ministries
- Music & Arts Programs
- Residential Camping Activities
- Seasonal Services
- Store
- Visitation Services
- Women's Ministries
- Worship Services - Church
- Worship Services - Sunday School
- Worship Services - Youth Ministries
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (919) 688-7306 to book your appointment.
Address :
909 Liberty St,
Durham, NC 27701.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Counties:
- Durham
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around Chapel Hill, 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 2 Church Food Pantry locations in Chapel Hill, North Carolina which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Christian Assembly Church
Christian Assembly Church's 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 that needs food.
No documentation is required to receive services.
The food pantry is open every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
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 (919) 471-0220 to book your appointment.
Address :
[1900 - 5199] N Roxboro St, P.O BOX 71816 5516,
Durham, NC 27704.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: 04:00 PM - 06:00 PM EST
- Wed: Closed
- Thurs: 04:00 PM - 06:00 PM EST
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Cities:
- Durham
Calvary Baptist Church Food Pantry
The Food Pantry Ministry meets the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month. They pack and distribute boxes for needy families in our community.
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 (919) 596-2592 to book your appointment.
Address :
1204 Lynn Rd,
Durham, NC 27703.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Durham
Help Residents of Counties:
- Durham
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 Chapel Hill, 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 1 Catholic Charities Food Pantry locations in Chapel Hill, North Carolina which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh - Food Pantry (Durham)
Catholic Charities of the diocese of Raleigh provides tangible assistance to meet basic needs of families by responding with food, clothing, baby items, and/or some limited discretionary financial assistance. Catholic Charities does more than just distribute food and other assistance. The food pantries give hope to families by treating them with dignity and respect. Additionally, when families visit a Catholic Charities food pantry seeking emergency assistance, they are screened for other needs which Catholic Charities can help with. Once other areas of need are identified, families are invited to participate in programs aimed at reducing the families’ need to rely on emergency assistance. Food Pantry - W: 9:30am - 1:00pm
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 (919) 286-1964 to book your appointment.
Address :
3711 University Dr Ste B,
Durham, NC 27707.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Durham
Help Residents of Counties:
- Durham
Helping Hands Food Pantry
Helping Hands is a faith-based 501(c)(3) food pantry operated around Chapel Hill, 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 Chapel Hill, 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 Chapel Hill, 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 Chapel Hill, 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 Chapel Hill, 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 Chapel Hill, 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 Chapel Hill, 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 14 Food Pantry locations in Chapel Hill, North Carolina which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Orange Congregations in Mission
The Samaritan Relief Ministry Food Pantry provides food to meet basic nutritional needs for individuals and families in need. We have not had to turn anyone away because of a lack of food.
We are a referral based food pantry. We take referrals from Orange County Social Services, the Health Department and more. Please call for more information about referrals.
The Samaritan Relief Ministry has continued to see “new” families; people who are new to northern Orange County, or who have never had to seek assistance before. The Samaritan Relief Ministry is only able to distribute what it has in stock. We also have a section in our Food Pantry for kids called "Max's Kids" with items that are specialized for children.
We also accept calls if you are in need of emergency food assistance.
Our last food order is at 4:30 p.m.
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 (919) 732-6194 to book your appointment.
Address :
300 Millstone Dr,
Hillsborough, NC 27278.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Tues: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Wed: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Thurs: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Fri: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Orange
Inter-Faith Council For Social Service
The Food Pantry provides around 1,500 bags of groceries to those in need every month. Households in Chapel Hill or Carrboro or in which an adult works in those communities, may become members of the Pantry who are welcome to receive groceries once a month.
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 (919) 929-6380 to book your appointment.
Address :
110 W Main St,
Carrboro, NC 27510.
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:
- Orange
Urban Ministries of Durham
Food Pantry and Clothing closest provides food, clothing and hygiene supplies to the homeless.
Call 919-682-0538 for more information.
Services provided :
- emergency food
- food delivery
- food pantry
- diapers & formula
- clothing
- personal care items
- navigating the system
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (919) 682-0538 to book your appointment.
Address :
410 Liberty St,
Durham, NC 27701.
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:
- Durham
- Wake
Jewish Federation of Durham-Chapel Hill
Jewish Federation of Durham-Chapel Hill is proud to support our community. We have programs for every age group designed to educate, nurture and provide a connection to the Jewish community at large.
JFS is collaborating with Farmer Foodshare to expand the Food Pantry by offering fresh produce to those experiencing food insecurity.
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 (919) 354-4936 to book your appointment.
Address :
1937 W Cornwallis Rd,
Durham, NC 27705.
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:
- Chatham
- Durham
- Orange
- Person
Loving Hands Food Pantry
Loving Hands Food Pantry is a proposed charitable nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. We are 100% volunteer supported, including our Executive Board. May 1, 2014 Loving Hands Food Pantry moved into its new central location at 3520 US Hwy 70 West, Efland, NC 27243. We are located next to the Efland Post Office. Our new location makes it easy to receive donations and distribute food to those in need. Your wonderful help and support allowed us to begin the distribution of food on Thursday, July 10, 2014 to 12 approved clients (and their families). Potential clients can make application during the office’s regular business hours for food distributed each Thursday from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm for approved clients from that week. Time is given to each potential client to assist and make sure they receive food in a timely manner. Once approved, the client is eligible once a month to receive food and provided a schedule for that. Our goal is to help provide food to people living in Mebane, Efland, Hillsborough and surrounding rural areas. We especially want to identify and help senior citizens who are not able to provide food for themselves. Our approved Charitable Solicitation License Exemption status allows us to solicit and accept financial contributions, food donations, items for fundraising events and financial support. All of these items are greatly needed—our success requires your help and support! Loving Hands Food Pantry has been established due to the contributions of a few private donors but our needs are continuing. Right now we need donations of canned food, nonperishable food items and financial assistance for things such as additional proper shelving to house food items. Monthly operating expenses (such as rent and utilities) cost around $850.00 each month to stay in business. Your help in attaining our goals and helping to keep us in our building would be greatly appreciated.
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 (919) 698-2315 to book your appointment.
Address :
3520 Us Hwy 70 W,
Efland, NC 27243.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Efland
Help Residents of Counties:
- Orange
CORA Food Pantry
CORA Food Pantry was founded in 1989 as the Chatham OutReach Alliance, Inc. (CORA) with the sole mission of providing emergency food to those in need throughout Chatham County. We remain exclusively focused on that founding mission. We are a 501(c)(3) designated organization.
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 (919) 545-3030 to book your appointment.
Address :
40 Camp Dr,
Pittsboro, NC 27312.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Pittsboro
Help Residents of Counties:
- Chatham
Carolina Cupboard: Community Food Pantry
Carolina Cupboard will provide food assistance to individuals of the Carolina community be they student, staff, or faculty by acquiring and distributing food to those in need on this campus. The purpose of Carolina Cupboard is multidimensional in that it seeks to provide hunger-relief as well as educating, empowering, and engaging the surrounding community on issues related to food insecurity, poverty, and health & nutrition. Tuesday: 12-5pm, Thursday: 12pm-5pm
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 :
295 Ridge Rd Bsmt,
Room #Bc Chapel Hill, NC 27599.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Room #Bc Chapel Hill
Help Residents of Counties:
- Orange
Inter-Faith Council for Social Service - Community Kitchen
The IFC provides around 80,000 meals to hungry persons every year. Meals are free of charge and are provided to anyone who is hungry as well as to the residents of Community House and HomeStart. Community volunteers and volunteer groups representing congregations, businesses, neighborhoods and the University provide nutritious, hot meals 365 days a year. The Kitchen Coordinator--the one paid staff member in the Community Kitchen--schedules and trains volunteers to prepare and serve meals. Nearly all of the food that is served is donated by local restaurants, food services, campus groups, farmers, congregations and businesses. The IFC partners with Farmer Foodshare and other local groups to provide fresh, locally-grown produce for the Community Kitchen. The Community Kitchen relies heavily on volunteers to prepare and serve meals and clean up afterwards. Meal monitors provide support to volunteer groups and address client needs during the meal. Volunteers also help pick up, receive, sort and store food donations. Monday through Friday, Lunch 11:15am-12:30pm, Dinner 6:15pm-7:00pm; Saturday, Lunch 11:15am-12:30pm; Sunday, Lunch 12:15pm-1:30pm.
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 (919) 967-0643 to book your appointment.
Address :
100 W Rosemary St,
Chapel Hill, NC 27516.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Chapel Hill
Help Residents of Counties:
- Orange
Take and Eat Food Pantry
The mission of the Take and Eat Food Pantry is to provide supplemental, nourishing food at no cost to economically disadvantaged residents of eastern Chatham County in a loving and compassionate manner that recognizes the dignity and equality of each individual. The pantry, located at Evergreen United Methodist Church, provides food-assistance to our hungry neighbors in eastern Chatham County, specifically the Northwood High School attendance area. Take and Eat Food Pantry is an ecumenical endeavor which involves support from Evergreen United Methodist Church, Chatham Community Church, Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church, Lystra Baptist Church, Holy Trinity - Chatham, and Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Individuals and families receive enough groceries to prepare meals for approximately one week and may visit the pantry twelve times during the calendar year. The pantry distributes groceries: 1st Tuesday of every month from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm; 2nd Tuesday of every month from 10:00 am to 11:00 am; 3rd Tuesday of every month from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm; 4th Tuesday of every month from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
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 (919) 533-9330 to book your appointment.
Address :
11098 Us 15-501 N,
Chapel Hill, NC 27517.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Chapel Hill
Help Residents of Counties:
- Orange
Christian Assembly Emergency Food Pantry
Christian Assembly's Emergency Food Pantry ministers to those in need within our community both physically and spiritually. Located in the church Annex Building, the Food Pantry is open the 2nd and 4th Thursday afternoons of each month from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. The CA Food Pantry also serves the Durham area as an official emergency relief distribution location in times of disaster. We provided assistance to Hurricane Katrina victims that relocated to the Triangle. But the ongoing work of the Food Pantry is in providing food assistance to those presently in need in our community. Part of the Feeding America Network, the CA Food Pantry is a partner with the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina. Since food availability varies seasonally we also rely on donations. A dedicated group of volunteers work together to serve in this ministry.
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 (919) 471-0220 to book your appointment.
Address :
5516 N Roxboro Rd,
Durham, NC 27712.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Durham
Help Residents of Counties:
- Durham
Feed My Sheep of Durham Inc.
We are primarily concerned with meeting the need of hunger in our community. We also help our local church to practice and live into its vision of providing hope, healing and hospitality to North East Central Durham and beyond. Three years ago, Feed My Sheep had begun serving hot meals and bagged groceries to approximately 20 households once a month. Today, we serve nearly 100 households twice monthly. All of this is done on a shoestring budget and 100% volunteer help. It has been a vital bridge into our immediately surrounding community. It also has opened up a very good working relationship between Asbury Temple and two major area universities: North Carolina Central and Duke Divinity School. Students from both institutions continue to play a vital role.
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 (919) 399-5159 to book your appointment.
Address :
107 N Driver St,
Durham, NC 27703.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Durham
Help Residents of Counties:
- Durham
Healing With CAARE Inc. - Food Pantry
The food pantry is open to the public after completion of a eligibility form, and provides emergency food assistance, food issued by appointments, and is a source of referrals. Distribution hours are Monday – Friday, 1-3 pm, 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 (919) 683-5300 to book your appointment.
Address :
214 Broadway St,
Durham, NC 27701.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Durham
Help Residents of Counties:
- Durham
Immanuel Temple Community Service Department and Soup Kitchen
Immanuel Temple’s Community Service Department and Soup Kitchen assist in the area of humanitarian aid, which includes food, clothing, and self-improvement needs. We operate Immanuel Temple’s Community Service Center at 2104 S Alston Ave Durham, NC (close to the church entrance). We offer assistance to anyone in need. Our Soup Kitchen provides healthy and nutritious meals every Sunday from 12 pm – 1:30 pm.
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 (919) 957-0032 to book your appointment.
Address :
2104 S Alston Ave,
Durham, NC 27707.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Durham
Help Residents of Counties:
- Durham
Mercy House Food Pantry
Life Community Services, in partnership with the Durham Parks and Recreation Department, launches the Mercy House Food Pantry. The Food Pantry is located at the Holton Career and Resource Center and is open on the first and third Fridays monthly from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina is a critical resource to more than 800 emergency food and social service programs in 34 counties of central and eastern North Carolina. A Food Pantry is a community-based program that collects and stores food to distribute free of charge to low–income families and individuals. The Mercy House Food Pantry introduced by Life Community Services- a division of Life International’s Outreach Ministry, will provide temporary food assistance to those in need once a week or twice a month. The Food Bank’s partner agencies have access to fresh produce, canned meals, baby food, frozen products, beverages, and essential non-food items such as personal hygiene items and paper products. A barrel is located in the rear of the Church for those who want to donate non-perishable food items. Monetary gifts are also welcome for discounted food purchases from the North Carolina Food Bank. As a partner of the Food Bank, Life International invites you to help meet the needs of the community and become part of the hunger solution.
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 :
401 N Driver St,
Durham, NC 27703.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Durham
Help Residents of Counties:
- Durham
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 Chapel Hill, 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.