A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Polk, 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 Polk, 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 Polk, North Carolina which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Salvation Army Hendersonville
We have two food pantries to serve people in Henderson, Polk and Transylvania counties. They are located at the following locations:
239 3rd Avenue East, Hendersonville, NC 28792, open Monday-Friday from 9 AM - 12 PM
93 North Broad Street, Brevard, NC 28712, open Monday-Friday from 9 AM - 1 PM
Call your local office for more information.
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) 693-4181 to book your appointment.
Address :
239 3rd Ave E,
Hendersonville, NC 28792.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Tues: 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Wed: 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Thurs: 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Fri: 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Henderson
- Polk
- Transylvania
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around Polk, 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 4 Church Food Pantry locations in Polk, North Carolina which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Biltmore Church of God
The Biltmore Church of God (BCG) wants you to know that you are very welcome in this place. There is a special place here just for you—a place for friendship, a place for learning, a place for enrichment, a place for service, and a place for worship.
BCG offers a Food Pantry every week on Wednesdays from 4:30 - 6:00 pm in the Family Life Center. Please check the gym door for dates we are closed. We will also close due to inclement weather if Buncombe County Schools are closed.
Please visit us to receive services.
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) 274-7351 to book your appointment.
Address :
1390 Sweeten Creek Rd,
Asheville, NC 28803.
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:
- Buncombe
- Haywood
- Henderson
- Madison
- Mcdowell
- Polk
- Rutherford
- Transylvania
- Yancey
Calvary Episcopal Church Food Pantry, Inc.
Calvary Episcopal Church Food Pantry, Inc. offers a food pantry to anyone in need of food. Food is provided according to household size and selected by the clients themselves with the help of a volunteer shopping assistant. Clients use shopping carts, and volunteers escort them to their vehicles and help load their items. In addition to packaged foods, we also provide fresh produce, eggs, milk, and bread, as well as frozen meat. We provide roughly 11 pounds of food per person per week. On select Saturdays, the Health Ministry Team from the church offers blood pressure checks and nutrition counseling.
The Pantry is open every Saturday morning from 8:30-11:00 (except the Saturday between Christmas and New Year's Day).
Please visit the pantry to receive services.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- nutrition education
- checkup & test
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) 684-6266 to book your appointment.
Address :
2840 Hendersonville Rd,
Fletcher, NC 28732.
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:
- Buncombe
- Haywood
- Henderson
- Mcdowell
- Polk
- Rutherford
- Transylvania
Etowah United Methodist Church
Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry is sponsored by the church with a simple mission: “We are here to provide food to people who are hungry.” Each Client's Family may receive food from the pantry two times per month. Clients may choose any two Saturdays each month the pantry is open.
Please visit the Food Pantry to receive services or contact the church office for additional information at 828-891-4360.
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) 891-4360 to book your appointment.
Address :
110 Brickyard Rd,
Etowah, NC 28729.
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:
- Buncombe
- Haywood
- Henderson
- Mcdowell
- Polk
- Rutherford
- Transylvania
Tryon SDA Church - Share Thy Bread
Share Thy Bread is a ministry to help people whose other resources do not make it possible to keep nutritional food on their table.
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) 894-5072 to book your appointment.
Address :
2820 Lynn Rd,
Tryon, NC 28782.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Tryon
Help Residents of Counties:
- Polk
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 Polk, 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 Polk, 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 Polk, 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 Polk, 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 Polk, 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 Polk, 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 Polk, 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 Polk, 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 Polk, 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 4 Food Pantry locations in Polk, North Carolina which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Loving Food Resources
Loving Food Resources provides food, health and personal care items to people in 18 counties of Western North Carolina who are living with HIV/AIDS or who are in home hospice care with any diagnosis.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- personal care items
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) 255-9282 to book your appointment.
Address :
,
San Diego, CA 92109.
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:
- Avery
- Buncombe
- Burke
- Cherokee
- Clay
- Graham
- Haywood
- Henderson
- Jackson
- Macon
- Madison
- Mcdowell
- Mitchell
- Polk
- Rutherford
- Swain
- Transylvania
- Watauga
- Yancey
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
Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach, Inc.
Through the Food Pantry, Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach provides a 3-5 day emergency food supply to local families and individuals. We also provide family food assistance on a weekly basis.
The “Food For Kids” program provides nutritious food for school age children over the weekend during the school year. Each child receives food for two breakfasts, two lunches, and snacks.
Please visit the food pantry on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm or call (828) 625-4683 for more information.
Outreach serves residents in need in the Hickory Nut Gorge Community, extending into four counties (serving some but not all of Rutherford, Polk, Buncombe and Henderson counties). Our service area extends to Gerton, Mill Spring, Green Hill and Cove Road. You can see a map of our service area on our website.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- 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) 625-4683 to book your appointment.
Address :
2570 Memorial Hwy,
Lake Lure, NC 28746.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM EST
- Tues: Closed
- Wed: Closed
- Thurs: 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM EST
- Fri: 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM EST
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Buncombe
- Henderson
- Polk
- Rutherford
Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry
Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry ("Outreach") is nestled within the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina in the town of Columbus, just east of Tryon, NC. Outreach serves Polk County families and individuals that need assistance with day-to-day necessities such as food, heat and housing. The Food Pantry is a year-round program that provides a "shopping experience" for our clients that are in a food crisis situation. Each month, hundreds of families and individuals in need come to Outreach for food and commodities. In addition, the Food Pantry Program supports the Feed-A-Kid Program by providing food bags that are then distributed to children identified as being nutritionally at-risk. None of this would be possible without the generosity of churches, foundations, friends, partners, donors and the community who give of their time and resources by serving as volunteers within the Food Pantry, donating needed food items and commodities.
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) 894-2988 to book your appointment.
Address :
134 White Dr,
Columbus, NC 28722.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Columbus
Help Residents of Counties:
- Polk
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 Polk, 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.