A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Lenoir, 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 Lenoir, 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 0 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in Lenoir, North Carolina which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around Lenoir, 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 6 Church Food Pantry locations in Lenoir, North Carolina which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Fairview Presbyterian Church
The Pay It Forward Food Pantry of Fairview Presbyterian Church 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 that needs food.
There are no documents required upon visiting our pantry, all that we ask is that you fill out a government form stating that you are receiving our assistance.
We are open the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of every 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 (828) 572-4441 to book your appointment.
Address :
2058 Harper Ave NW,
Lenoir, NC 28645.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: Closed
- Wed: Closed
- Thurs: 11:00 AM - 01:30 PM
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Cities:
- Lenoir
Oak Hill Methodist Church
Oak Hill Methodist Church's Food Pantry provides 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.
If your family is in need of food, please call our church secretary on Tuesday or Thursday. She will ask for your name and how many people are in your family. She will tell you when to come by and pick up your food.
Families are allowed to come once per month to get food.
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 (828) 433-5308 to book your appointment.
Address :
2239 NC Highway 181,
Morganton, NC 28655.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: 08:00 AM - 01:00 PM
- Wed: 08:00 AM - 01:00 PM
- Thurs: 08:00 AM - 01:00 PM
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Cities:
- Morganton
FaithBridge United Methodist Church
Casting Bread Food Pantry and soup kitchen is a local mission supported by Faithbridge United Methodist Church. We offer food for clients every Wednesday and Thursday and provide referrals for additional support as needed. We also have a soup kitchen on these days to provide a hot meal and conversation for those who need it. Our clients may visit our pantry to pick up a client choice box of food once per month, but are free to visit our soup kitchen twice a week, every week if they wish. Our soup kitchen is open to all, not just our clients.
Casting Bread Food Pantry - Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 to 3:00 pm.
Soup Kitchen on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.
If you or someone you know needs assistance, we would love to help in any way we are able or refer you to those who are better equipped to assist with your need. We exist to serve our community, so please contact us.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- navigating the system
- spiritual support
- meals
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (828) 295-8333 to book your appointment.
Address :
194 Aho Rd,
Blowing Rock, NC 28605.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: Closed
- Wed: 10:30 AM - 03:00 PM
- Thurs: 10:30 AM - 03:00 PM
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Caldwell
- Watauga
First United Methodist Church - Shepherd's Table
Come enjoy a free meal each Wednesday night from 5:30-7:00 pm. This a time to enjoy fellowship and food with friends and neighbors from our community. Please come and dine with us as we try to share the love of Jesus by helping our community. There is no "needs" test, no registration to be filled out, and you will not be required to participate in anything. We ask that you just come and let us serve you. If you are not able to dine with us we offer to go boxes beginning at 6 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 (828) 396-1011 to book your appointment.
Address :
9 Lakeside Ave,
Granite Falls, NC 28630.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Granite Falls
Help Residents of Counties:
- Caldwell
Mountain Grove Church - Bags of Blessing Food Pantry
The Bags of Blessings Food Pantry distributes food on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month. This ministry is located in the bottom of Mountain Grove Church’s worship facility. The food pantry is a vital ministry for Mountain Grove Church. Last Year (2011) the Bags of Blessings distributed over 91,000 lbs of food. Each week this ministry touches the lives of over 200 individual families.
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 (828) 728-9557 to book your appointment.
Address :
2485 Connelly Springs Rd,
Granite Falls, NC 28630.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
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- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Granite Falls
Help Residents of Counties:
- Caldwell
Dulatown Presbyterian Church Food Pantry
The Dulatown Presbyterian Church Food Pantry remains motivated to be proactive in the fight against hunger and the mission to treat every client with respect and compassion. The reality is that hunger is a problem that has affected more people in the past few years than ever before. The number of people seeking assistance for food has increased substantially. This alarming trend is illustrated by the ever increasing number of clients who are requesting assistance for food. Based on the statistical documentation of staff volunteers of the Food Pantry, they have seen a 200% increase in need. Dulatown Presbyterian Church Food Pantry is an advocate for the poor and those who are in need in the community of Caldwell County. Neediness arouses compassion of God - and action from us. We welcome volunteers to this ministry! Open the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 3 p.m. to 5 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 (828) 758-5826 to book your appointment.
Address :
1537 Miller Hill Rd,
Lenoir, NC 28645.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Lenoir
Help Residents of Counties:
- Caldwell
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 Lenoir, 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 Lenoir, 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 Lenoir, 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 Lenoir, 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 Lenoir, 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 Lenoir, 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 Lenoir, 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 Lenoir, 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 Lenoir, 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 7 Food Pantry locations in Lenoir, North Carolina which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Yokefellow of Caldwell County
Yokefellow of Caldwell County provides food to meet basic nutritional needs for individuals and families in need. Our clients are children, adults or senior citizens with limited or no income, who simply have fallen on hard times or recently unemployed and simply need assistance to make ends meet.
If already enrolled in Food Stamp program, individuals and families automatically qualify for Yokefellow food assistance every 30 days. If not receiving Food Stamps, we use USDA income guidelines to qualify individuals and families.
Documents Required:
• Photo ID
• Last four digits of SS number
• Proof of residence (piece of mail, bill, or anything that has your address)
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 (828) 754-7088 to book your appointment.
Address :
1602 Harper Ave,
Lenoir, NC 28645.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 09:00 AM - 03:30 PM
- Tues: 09:00 AM - 03:00 PM
- Wed: Closed
- Thurs: 09:00 AM - 03:00 PM
- Fri: 09:00 AM - 03:00 PM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Cities:
- Lenoir
ALFA AIDS Leadership Foothills Area Alliance
ALFA's mission is to improve the lives and health of those affected by HIV/AIDS while preventing transmission through education and testing. We provide client services to anyone diagnosed with HIV/AIDS including resource and referral, case management, emergency financial assistance,transportation, food pantry, and client empowerment activities. ALFA Client Services staff members work together to answer questions and help people infected or affected by HIV to connect with community resources and services
ALFA case managers are available Monday through Friday to provide support, information, and referrals to persons living with HIV in the foothills area of North Carolina. We can assist with things like locating an HIV-friendly dentist, filling out a form for ADAP or Medicare coverage, providing information about grants for home repair, or finding support to combat discrimination based on HIV status. Often we can answer questions quickly and confidentially with just a phone call or brief office visit.
ALFA provides free & confidential HIV testing daily at our office- 9- 4:30.
All services are free and confidential, and available in English, Spanish and American Sign Language.
If you are living with HIV and believe you may need case management services, please contact us by calling 828-322-1447.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- transportation
- health education
- disease management
- sex education
- disease screening
- financial assistance
- navigating the system
- help fill out forms
- support network
- 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 (828) 322-1447 to book your appointment.
Address :
1120 Fairgrove Church Rd SE, SUITE 28,
Hickory, NC 28602.
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:
- Alexander
- Alleghany
- Ashe
- Burke
- Caldwell
- Catawba
- Lincoln
- Watauga
- Wilkes
The Outreach Center
Food Distribution program gives free groceries to anyone who has a need. Food Distribution is held the last Tuesday of each month with the exception of November, when it's held the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, and December, when it's held the Tuesday before Christmas. The Food Distribution is held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
You do need to register but you can do that when you arrive the day of the distribution. Please bring a photo ID. Also, be prepared to wait in line. If you can't physically stand in line someone else may pick up your groceries for you. You will need to come by and register and designate someone to pick up for you which you can do at our location any time between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. That person will need a picture ID.
Our food selection and amount varies from month to month, but we almost always have canned items like vegetables, bread, and other staples. We also offer baby and adult diapers when we have those in stock. To receive baby diapers you need to bring proof of a child in your home, like their birth certificate or insurance card.
Required Documents:
- Photo ID
- Proof of a child in the home such as a birth certificate or insurance card if you'd like to receive diapers
Services provided :
- food pantry
- diapers & formula
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (828) 439-8300 to book your appointment.
Address :
510 E Fleming Dr,
Morganton, NC 28655.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
- Wed: Closed
- Thurs: Closed
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Cities:
- Morganton
YMCA of Western North Carolina
The Healthy Living Pantry (HLP) is a resource to families in Asheville and surrounding communities who need temporary food assistance. The goal of our pantry is to provide food assistance and create lifelong healthy eating habits by providing fresh produce, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean protein. Cooking demonstrations include ingredients offered in the pantry that week so participants learn how best to cook the food they receive. Nutrition and cooking demonstrations start at 4:35pm on scheduled nights and distribution is 5pm–6:30pm.
For more information please contact Lisa Riggsbee, healthy living manager-nutrition programs, at lriggsbee@ymcawnc.org or 828 775 7081.
Services provided :
- emergency food
- food pantry
- nutrition education
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (828) 775-7081 to book your appointment.
Address :
201 Beaverdam Rd,
Asheville, NC 28804.
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:
- Alexander
- Alleghany
- Ashe
- Avery
- Buncombe
- Burke
- Caldwell
- Catawba
- Cherokee
- Clay
- Cleveland
- Graham
- Haywood
- Henderson
- Jackson
- Macon
- Madison
- Mcdowell
- Mitchell
- Polk
- Rutherford
- Stokes
- Surry
- Swain
- Transylvania
- Watauga
- Wilkes
- Yancey
Burke United Christian Ministries
Burke United Christian Ministries offers food from our food pantry to Burke County residents. Please bring required documents when visiting and our staff will help to determine your eligibility for these services.
Burke County residents may receive food from our food pantry every four weeks.
Documentation Required:
• Photo ID
• Proof of address
Services provided :
- food pantry
- english as a second language (esl)
- ged/high-school equivalency
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (828) 433-8075 to book your appointment.
Address :
305 W Union St,
Morganton, NC 28655.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 09:00 AM - 03:30 PM
- Tues: 09:00 AM - 03:30 PM
- Wed: 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Thurs: 09:00 AM - 03:30 PM
- Fri: 09:00 AM - 03:30 PM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Burke
Love Walk Ministry
Love Walk Ministry provides food pantry to families in need and give dinette set, living room furniture, beds and more to families who cannot afford. Individuals who have a need for the items are required to fill out an application stating why they need the item(s) in addition to providing three references.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- home goods
- furniture
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (828) 754-3336 to book your appointment.
Address :
602 Main St NW,
Lenoir, NC 28645.
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:
- Caldwell
Lenoir Soup Kitchen
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 (828) 758-1411 to book your appointment.
Address :
1113 College Ave Sw,
Lenoir, NC 28645.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Lenoir
Help Residents of Counties:
- Caldwell
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 Lenoir, 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.