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 :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Efland
Help Residents of Counties:
- Orange
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. Staff can also answer any questions you may have.
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.