Between the winter weather, holiday shopping and the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the holiday season continues to be a difficult time for many families in the Charlotte area.
According to 211 services data, in North Carolina from Nov. 17 to Dec. 17 of this year, 211 received more than 16,000 requests for assistance. Of those requests, 43% were for housing and shelter assistance, with most being for rental assistance and nearby shelters.
To help our neighbors in need, we have compiled this list of North Carolina and South Carolina organizations that offer housing, food, Christmas gift, medical, rent or utilities, and additional services.
If you need assistance or help regarding referrals, you can call 211 or 1-888-892-1162 for more information. When you call 211, a community resource specialist will be able to help you. A few of the resources listed below require a 211 referral.
Some of the organizations in this guide also can use community support. Those are listed with "needs" below their information.
If you’d like your organization to be added to this list, fill out the Charlotte Area Services and Support Guide form.
North Carolina Counties
The Anson Crisis Ministry operates a food bank on a daily basis for residents of Anson Country as well as a rotating mobile food bank every month. In addition, clothing vouchers are available for families in crisis situations.
Phone: 704-694-2445
Address: 117 N. Rutherford St., Wadesboro, N.C. 28170
Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)
People who live in households that are in danger of losing their water services can apply at epass.nc.gov. You can also download a paper application and drop it off at the LIHWAP Human Services Office 1303 S. Cannon Blvd.
Starting Jan. 1, 2022, all households that are not in danger of having their water services cut off also can apply for assistance if they meet the eligibility requirements. To be eligible for LIHWAP program, a household must have:
- Have income equal to less than 150% of the federal poverty level.
- Have household services that are disconnected, in jeopardy of disconnection or have current outstanding billing,
- Be responsible for the water bill.
Phone: 704-920-1400
Fax: 704-920-1401
The Salvation Army of Cabarrus/Stanly Counties & Emergency Shelter
This Salvation Army serves residents of Cabarrus and Stanly counties. They provide shelter, transitional housing, money for paying rent, youth and senior assistance, free food, clothing and blankets. For financial assistance, no referrals are needed, just call 704-7816-7816 on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Other assistance will need a 211 referral.
Address: 216 Patterson Ave. SE, Concord, N.C. 28025
Phone: 704-782-7822
Needs: Money to help house more families
New Life Baptist Church has a food pantry and donates to people of Cabarrus County on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Referrals are not needed. If you need assistance, bring identification or a bill to prove you’re a resident of Cabarrus County.
Address: 1281 Biscayne Drive, Concord, N.C. 28027
Phone: 704-782-6215
Needs: Meat
Cooperative Christian Ministry
This ministry serves Cabarrus County and all residents of Kannapolis.
They provide food and financial housing assistance. Residents will need to apply for housing and financial assistance. To see their holiday hours, visit their schedule on their website.
Address: 246 Country Club Drive NE, Concord, N.C. 28025
Phone: 704-786-4709
Needs: Volunteer and pantry needs are listed on their website.
Harrisburg Crisis Assistance Ministry Food Pantry
Harrisburg Crisis Assistance Ministry Food Pantry is a full-service food pantry and is an agency of Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina located at the Rocky River Presbyterian Church. The food pantry is open on Mondays from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
People can come back for more groceries every four weeks. They serve the following zip codes: 28075, 28025, 28026, 28027, 28213, 28262.
Address: 7940 Rocky River Rd, Concord, NC 28025
Phone: (704) 376-1785
Need: Peanut butter, spaghetti sauce, and personal care items (detergents, laundry soap, feminine hygiene products, and soap.)
Cherryville Area Ministries and Thrift Shop
Cherryville Area Ministries and Thrift Shop offers help for people who live in the Cherryville area. Families that are eligible can receive free clothing, housing assistance such as rent and utilities payments. They also provide medicine and food.
Phone: 704-435-3816
Address: 212 N Mountain St., Cherryville, N.C. 28021
Dallas Christian Ministry offers free food and groceries to everyone who’s eligible and free utilities assistance and medicine to people who live in the Dallas, High Shoals and Stanley areas. Call their phone number to see if you’re eligible for assistance.
Phone: 704-922-1236
Address: 305 E. Trade St., Dallas, N.C. 28034
Needs: Food
The Salvation Army Center of Hope in Gastonia provides financial assistance with rent, food and energy bills. They also provide medicine and clothing for residents of Gaston County. Additionally, they provide emergency shelters for families, men and women. However, at this time, shelter space is limited. Visit the center to see if you’re eligible for assistance. Food and clothing are provided twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Lines begin no earlier than 8:30 a.m., and food begins to be passed out at 9:30 a.m. while supplies last.
Phone: 704-867-6145
Address: 107 South Broad St., Gastonia, N.C. 28052
Needs: Paper products (plates, tissues, paper towels and napkins)
Belmont Community Organization
The Belmont Community Organization helps individuals and families in Belmont. They provide free food, clothing, groceries, furniture, houseware and limited financial assistance. To see if you are eligible for assistance, visit the center with proof of household income.
Phone: 704-825-4526
Address: 91 Catawba St., Belmont, N.C. 28012
Needs: Financial donations
Gaston Baptist Social Ministries
Gaston Baptist Social Ministries provides emergency financial assistance for clothing, food, utilities, prescription medication, appliances and household items. They also have partnered with the Gateway Gaston, a website that allows people to type in their ZIP Code and need, and within 90 minutes a resource is provided. If you require assistance, visit the ministry or use Gateway Gaston.
Address: 1607 Rankin Lake Road, Gastonia, N.C. 28052
Phone: 704-867-7257
Needs: Food
Greater Charlotte Salvation Army
The Greater Charlotte Salvation Army serves both Mecklenburg and Union County. They serve these communities by providing homeless services, such as shelter. They also provide toy donations for families in need. If you are in need of assistance, you will need to be referred by 211.
Address: 4015 Stuart Andrew Blvd., Suite 120, Charlotte, N.C. 28217
Phone number: 704-334-4731
Needs: Toy donations, financial donations, feminine hygiene products, sheets and towels.
The last day to sign up for the Christmas Day Toy Sponsorship is Dec. 19 at 11 a.m. Parents need to bring their children's social security number and IDs to sign up for the sponsorship. People will receive their toys on Christmas day.
Address: 3900 Gossett Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28208
Phone: 704-398-1777
Needs: Toys that are for children 12+
The Camino Health Center is a bilingual (Spanish and English) nonprofit that provides assistance for food, medical assistance and clothing. People are encouraged to apply to their food pantry by completing this application. Additionally, the Camino Community Center has a thrift store with low-priced clothes. On Dec. 19, they are having their 12th annual “Christmas at Camino,” where 1,000 toys will be given to children ranging from infancy to 12 years old. This event is from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Address: 201 Stetson Drive, Charlotte, N.C. 28262
Phone: 704-596-5606
Needs: Clothing and food
Operation Reach-Out is a nonprofit that serves residents of Union County. In order to receive assistance, you must be referred by 211.
Operation Reach-Out runs a food pantry and clothing closet. They also operate a thrift store that provides clothing and household items for a reduced price.
Address: 1308 Miller St., Monroe, N.C. 28110
Phone: 704-289-4237
Needs: Clothing, toothbrushes, toothpaste, blankets, pens and sleeping bags
Fifth Street Ministries Of North Carolina - Food Distribution Center
Fifth Street Ministries offers various assistance programs such as free meals, transitional housing, housing goods, and night shelters. Additionally they provide Rehousing using PATH and loans for rentals assistance and dispositions. If you’re in need of toys for Christmas, call their phone number and tell them the number of children you have. They serve Iredell County, Davie County, Yadkin County and Stokes County.
Address: 421 5th St., Statesville, N.C. 28677
Phone: 704-872-4045
Needs: Hygiene products, shoes, clothes and bed linens
The Salvation Army of Iredell County
The Iredell Salvation Army offers programs for rental assistance, grant funds and community-building fellowships. They accept walk-ins and self referrals. They only serve Iredell county residents.
Address: 1361 Caldwell St., Statesville, N.C. 28677
Phone: 704-872-5623
Needs: Financial contributions
After filling out their applications, and meeting the income and geographic requirements, people are able to access FeedNC food pantry. Feed NC serves parts of Mecklenburg County, Iredell and Rowan counties.
Address: 275 South Broad St., Mooresville, N.C. 28115
Phone: 704-660-9010
Needs: Financial assistance and food
This ministry gives assistance to clients with emergency needs such as food, utilities, medications, housing and clothing. People who are in need can fill out their online application for assistance. They have three locations:
Ralph W. Ketner Crisis Assistance Center, 226 N. Long St., Salisbury, N.C., Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call 704-637-6838, ext. 122, to make an appointment.
West Rowan: Mount Ulla at 785 Grampian Road on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
East Rowan: St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 2570 St. Peters Church Road, Salisbury, N.C. 28146, second and third Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. For appointments, call 704-279-5054.
Homebound: Through a partnership with Meals on Wheels pantry, food boxes are delivered to individuals who are not able to travel to the organization. Contact their food appointment desk if you are homebound and need boxes delivered: 704-637-6838, ext. 122.
Needs: Non-perishable food items, small-sized toiletries
Greater Cleveland County Baptist Association
Greater Cleveland County Baptist Association provides assistance with clothing, food, medicine, utilities, rent or mortgage. People are seen by appointment only.
Address: 1175 Wyke Road, Shelby, N.C. 28150
Phone: 704-482-3472
Needs: Finances for utilities
The Salvation Army of Shelby, North Carolina
This Salvation Army serves Cleveland and Rutherford counties. They provide assistance with clothing, food, rent utilities and medicine.
Address: 305 N. Lafayette St., Shelby, N.C. 28150
Phone: 704-482-0375
Needs: Financial assistance
South Carolina Counties
Cherokee County Meals On Wheels
This agency provides daily lunch to homebound residents of Cherokee County, Monday through Friday.
Phone: 864-487-2730
Address: 403 W. Montgomery St., Gaffney, S.C. 29341
PEACHCenter operates a food pantry, along with a financial and bill assistance program for residents of Cherokee County.
Phone: 864-489-2549
Address: 518 N. Limestone St., Gaffney, S.C. 29340
This church runs a food pantry called The Bread Box every second and fourth Tuesday of the month.
Address: 108 W. Church St., Cowpens, S.C. 29330
Phone: 864-463-4080
This agency provides free food, clothes and housing items as well as rent and utility assistance to Cherokee County residents.
Address: 109 W. Cherokee St., Blacksburg, S.C. 29702
Phone: 864-839-9783
Carolina Community Actions Inc.
This agency operates a Low Income Heating Emergency Assistance Program for low-income households in Lancaster, Chester, Fairfield, Union and York counties.
Phone: 803-385-5205
Address: 138 S. Oakland Ave., Rock Hill, S.C. 29730
The Fort Lawn Community center hosts HOPE in Lancaster Inc. twice a month to assist clients with short-term financial emergencies by appointment only. In addition, there is a Senior Meal Program on certain Fridays of each month and free community meals once a month.
Phone: 803-872-4491
Address: 554 Main St., Fort Lawn, S.C. 29714
GRASP (Great Falls Referral & Assistance Service Project)
This agency operates a food pantry for residents of the Great Falls area in addition to providing assistance for covering the cost of utilities or prescriptions.
Phone: 803-482-4407
Address: 802 Dearborn St., Great Falls, S.C. 29055
The Turning Point of Chester Inc.
This nonprofit operates a daily food pantry for senior citizens, those who are unemployed or those who cannot otherwise receive financial assistance. They also assist senior citizens in emergency situations.
Phone: 803-581-0219
Address: 105 Cotton St., Chester, S.C. 29706
HOPE operates both a community food pantry and a separate pantry for senior citizens, as well as food boxes that you can donate to households in need. Their services are for residents of Lancaster and Fort Lawn in short-term emergency situations.
Phone: 803-286-4673
Address: 2008 Pageland Highway, Lancaster, S.C. 29720
Carolina Community Actions Inc. - Lancaster
The Lancaster branch of Carolina Community Actions provides clothing, prescription assistance, rent assistance and utilities assistance to residents of Lancaster County.
Phone: 803-285-2034
Address: 101 S. Wylie St., Lancaster, S.C. 29720
KARE (Kershaw Area Resource Exchange)
This agency provides services for residents of Kershaw County in non-permanent situations including assistance with food, clothing, household items, non-emergency medical transportation, mortgage assistance, rent assistance and utility assistance.
Phone: 803-475-5360 (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.)
Address: 206 SE Marion St., Kershaw, S.C. 29067
York
Carolina Community Actions Inc.
This agency operates a Low Income Heating Emergency Assistance Program for low-income households in Lancaster, Chester, Fairfield, Union and York counties.
Phone: 803-385-5205
Address: 138 S. Oakland Ave., Rock Hill, S.C. 29730
Pilgrim's Inn provides rental assistance, utility assistance and a food pantry for residents of York County.
Phone: 803-327-3430
Address: 236 W. Main St., Rock Hill, S.C. 29730
Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen
803-366-4142
902 Crawford Road, Rock Hill, S.C. 29730
Provides hot lunches Monday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
This agency operates a food pantry, as well as provides assistance with medication and utilities, including kerosene.
Phone: 803-328-8000
Address: 504 Oakland Ave., Rock Hill, S.C. 29730
