Food Banks & Food Resources

INFORMATION FOR DONORS AND VOLUNTEERS 

(see further below for information on obtaining food support)

There are many ways to provide food support for area residents, including donations of food and other needed items, monetary donations, and volunteering at food banks. All such support is needed and welcomed. Regarding donations, it is often commented that monetary donations are the most effective way to provide food support, as cash in hand enables food banks to purchase food in quantity and lower prices.

This information is taken from the News and Observer newspaper, supplemented with information on some additional organizations.

• Durham Community Fridges

  • Where: St. Joseph's Episcopal Church, 1902 W. Main St., Durham, NC; Omie's Coffee Shop and Roastery, 3200 Roxboro Road, Durham, NC,

  • What they accept: Fresh produce, beverages (water bottles, juice boxes, milk, coffee/tea), Grab & go foods, Bread, Eggs, Dry & canned goods, Pet food, to-go ware (utensils, containers), personal care items (shampoo, menstrual products, toothpaste). Check the web site for what they do not accept. They also accept monetary donations: https://www.durhamcommunityfridges.com/about-dcf.html

  • How to volunteer: Use the form on their web site: https://www.durhamcommunityfridges.com/join-us.html

• Durham Community Food Pantry (run by Catholic Charities)

  • Where: 2020 Chapel Hill Rd., Suite 30, Durham, NC 27707 (in the same location as The Scrap Exchange).

  • What they accept. Call for information on food donation (there is no information on the web page). They accept monetary donations.

  • How to volunteer: Call 919-286-1964.

• Emanuel Food Pantry

  • Where: 25014 N Roxboro St., Durham, NC 27704 Hours: Monday through Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sundays 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

  • What they accept: Shelf-stable food (canned chicken/tuna, rice and beans), plus hygiene items. They also accept monetary donations.

  • How to volunteer: Volunteers can help pack and distribute food boxes during two-hour shifts Monday through Wednesday. Register online.

• Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC

  • Where: 1924 Capital Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27604 and 2700 Angier Ave., Suite A, Durham, NC 27703 Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

  • What they accept: Non-perishable foods, refrigerated or frozen items, produce, hygiene items, cleaning items, paper products and monetary gifts.

  • How to volunteer: Volunteers can sort food in the warehouse for shifts; groups and individuals are welcome. Register online.

• Holly Springs Food Cupboard

  • Where: 621 W Holly Springs Rd., Holly Springs, NC 27540 Hours: Mondays 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m

  • What they accept: Current needs include dry beans, canned beans, canned vegetables, dry pasta, canned soup, cereal, jelly, crackers, canned fruit, sides, broth, canned meats and pasta sauce. They also accept monetary donations .

  • How to volunteer: Volunteers can help in the garden (Thurs/Sat 9–11:30 a.m.), sort and pack food items, and deliver to clients. Register online.

• PORCH Chapel Hill/Carrboro

  • Where: 202 S Greensboro St, Carrboro, NC 27510 Hours: If you live in a PORCH neighborhood, you should check with your Neighborhood Coordinator about when to leave donated bags of food on your porch.

  • What they accept: Current needs include cereal, oatmeal, pasta sauce, peanut butter and jelly, canned fruit, canned soup, canned tuna and chicken, pasta, dried beans and mac and cheese.

  • How to volunteer: Volunteers can help pack and organize food boxes. Register online .

• Raleigh Dream Center - Mobile Food Pantry

  • Where: 4301 Louisburg Rd., Raleigh, NC 27604 Hours: Weekdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

  • What they accept: Non-perishable foods, baby supplies, hygiene products; beanies, blankets, holiday food and toys from October-December.

  • How to volunteer: Volunteers help distribute food, drive trucks and help with pick-ups. Register online .

• Triangle Family Services Food Pantry

  • Where: 3937 Western Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27606 Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 1-3 p.m. or Fridays 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

  • What they accept: Non-perishable foods, hygiene products, home essentials (such as laundry detergent and bed linens) and gently used books.

  • How to volunteer: Volunteers can help organize donations and maintain facilities. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, email volunteers@tfsnc.org and include “volunteer” in the subject line.

• Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry

  • Where: 149 E Holding Ave, Wake Forest, NC 27587 Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, plus the second and third Saturday of each month, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

  • What they accept: Current needs include peanut butter, canned soup, canned vegetables, canned meat, canned fruit, cereal, oatmeal, grits, mac and cheese, ramen noodles, rice, dried beans, tomato sauce, pasta, crackers, feminine hygiene products, diapers and pet food. They also accept monetary donations.

  • How to volunteer: Volunteer opportunities include sorting and distributing food to clients. Register online.

• Urban Ministries of Wake County

  • Where: 1390 Capital Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27603 Hours: Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. until the pantry reaches capacity.

  • What they accept: You can purchase items through the food pantry’s wishlist with Walmart and have your order directly shipped to them.

  • How to volunteer: Volunteers can help pack boxes with groceries, organize shelves, breakdown boxes and help clean the pantry area. To learn more, email volunteer@urbanmin.org.

• Fort Bragg Armed Services YMCA

  • Where: 2-2411 Rodney Trail, Fort Bragg, NC 28307. They gratefully accept monetary donations.

RESOURCES FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY

• Feeding America and local community food pantries often step in to fill gaps when federal benefits are delayed. You can find nearby pantries at feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank .

• Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina (919-875-0707): a large nonprofit network serving central and eastern NC (including the Triangle), working with many partner agencies.

• Inter‑Faith Food Shuttle (919-250-0043): they feed neighbors, teach self-sufficiency and grow healthy food.

• Carolina Cares Inc.: volunteer-operated, providing no-cost food, clothes and connections for households facing food insecurity.

• Tri‑Area Ministry Food Pantry (919-556-7144): located in Wake Forest, this pantry is nonprofit, non-denominational, volunteer-run and serves families in need.

• Wake Network of Care: Organized into different maps depending on the type of service needed. Services for Wake County only. Wake Network of Care

• Durham County Area Food Resources Locator: Locate food resources in Durham County. Available in English and Spanish. Phone friendly maps. Durham County Area Food Resources Locator