Diakonos, Inc. was organized in Burnsville, NC in September 1988. The intention was to provide for the basic needs of homeless and impoverished persons. Gary and Patti West, founders of the organization, agreed that the basic necessities of life including nourishing food, safe shelter, freedom from abuse, and an opportunity to move towards self-reliance. In 1990, the organization moved to Statesville, NC to operate an emergency shelter, a winter shelter and a domestic violence shelter. Over the years, the programs have developed, expanded and changed to incorporate and address the needs of those individuals seeking assistance. The Open Door Clinic was born in 1993 and operated as a free medical/dental clinic until 2007. The Molly McKay Children's Program developed in 1998 and ran until 2008 when it was incorporated into the Boys and Girls Club. The Soup Kitchen came under the auspices of Diakonos in 1992 and today serves three meals per day, seven days per week. Today, a night shelter, emergency shelter/transitional housing, soup kitchen outreach program for the homeless mentally ill, nurse clinic, educational programs, therapeutic opportunities, services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault including safe shelter, victim advocacy with in the judicial system, hospital accompaniment, group and individual counseling are the primary services offered. The needs are great and the solutions are often difficult. We continue to work through a variety of avenues to creatively address the multitude of needs and walk with our residents to a more stable, productive place in their lives. Soup kitchen: Our kitchen is open twice daily to all in need. Additionally, we provide a breakfast for everybody in transitional housing and night shelters. The nutritious food provided is vital to the health of homeless children and adults and especially to persons who abuse alcohol and/or drugs who likely would not get adequate nutrition from any other source.
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) 872-4045 to book your appointment.
Address :
1421 Fifth St,
Statesville, NC 28677.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Statesville
Help Residents of Counties:
- Iredell
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) 872-4045 to book your appointment. Staff can also answer any questions you may have.
Food Pantry in Near By City
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.