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
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. Staff can also answer any questions you may have.
Food Pantry in Near By City
Food Pantry in Near By County
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.