Samaritan Kitchen of Wilkes Inc. of Wilkesboro, North Carolina

Samaritan Kitchen of Wilkes opened in March 1998. Since then we've grown considerably. What started out as one program, the Saturday Delivery program, which fed 60 families every Saturday, now has two large feeding programs the Client Choice Pantry and Project: BackPack. The Client Choice Pantry provides food to families in need. Along with a volunteer, clients walk through a grocery style setting selecting the items that their family prefers to eat; i.e., Cheerios or Shredded Wheat, Chicken Noodle Soup or Vegetable Soup. Clients select items based on how many members are in their family. Local grocery stores donate short-dated breads and meats. In 2014, the program was open a total of 168 days; number of families served totaled 3,427; total number of individuals within those families totaled 8,673; total pounds of food and other product (toilet paper, diapers, cleaners, health & beauty items, etc.) distributed for year totaled 200,490 pounds; and the number of new families added was 186. Project: BackPack. At the beginning of each school year parents are informed of our program to assist families with children in danger of going hungry over the weekend. Those interested may apply through their school counselor to have a backpack sent home with their child at the end of each week containing two breakfasts (packs of oatmeal), two lunches (beans and franks, cup a soup, etc.), two dinners (ravioli, tuna, etc.), a sleeve of crackers and snacks. Approximately every six weeks they also take home a pound jar of peanut butter. Periodically, as funds and donations allow, we also send home soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste and other health and beauty items. At the end of the school year the last bag sent home is a “summer survival” bag with extra food, activities, health & beauty items, and any other items we have received that a child may enjoy. Last year, the program was open 32 weeks; distributing 21,058 bags of food (126,348 meals) which equated to a total of 93,499 pounds for the calendar year with an average of 623 children being served each week. Approximately one-half of the food for Project: Backpack is donated; the rest is purchased through funds from grants and other donors. Currently Samaritan Kitchen is serving approximately 650 children weekly. This program costs $7.80 per child, per week. This school year we will be providing for students for 35 weeks so the annual cost, per student, is $273.00.

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 (336) 838-5331 to book your appointment.

Address :

4187 Us Hwy 421,
Wilkesboro, NC 28697.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

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Help Residents of Cities:

  • Wilkesboro

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Wilkes

Appointments

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7.

For the full set of services, you can call (336) 838-5331 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.