Where to find local food pantries, hot meals

Jan. 23, 2023

 

food

In response to the end of extra Food and Nutrition Services benefits families who were enrolled in the program received due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Catawba County United Way worked with its community partners to create a list of local food resources.

Families enrolled in Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) have gotten extra benefits each month since March 2020. February 2023 is the last month families will get these extra benefits, called “emergency allotments” or “maximum supplements.” This is due to a federal change that will end emergency allotments for all states as of March 2023.

Learn more at - https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/information/human-services/changes-food-and-nutrition-services.

The Catawba County United Way will continue to updated this list throughout the year. If you would like to add or update a resource call 828-327-6851 or email jbailey@ccunitedway.com.

 

Food Pantries/Hot Meals 

HICKORY

The Salvation Army of Greater Hickory (750 3rd Ave Place SE, Hickory)

Offers two food services at the Crisis Help Center:

  1. Food Boxes: individuals can receive the food box assistance once every two months. Boxes include canned good items and frozen meats. Individuals need to complete a brief application and be at/or below poverty level.

Assistance on Monday afternoons 1 – 4 p.m. or Wednesday mornings 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

  1. Loaves and Fishes (produce distribution): This assistance is a drive thru service and is offered every Wednesday from 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. If they’ve never been here, they would need to complete an application.
  2. At The Shelter of Hope – Breakfast: 7days a week – 7 to 7:30 a.m.

Supper: 7 days a week – 5 p.m.

  1. 828-322-8061

Hickory Soup Kitchen (110 2nd Street Place SE, Hickory)

  1. Hot meal lunch service:         

Monday through Friday – 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

  1. Pop Up Grocery Food Pantry:

Monday through Wednesday – 8 a.m. to 11pm

Thursday and Friday – 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

  1. 828-327-4828

Catawba County Council on Aging (400 17th St SW, Hickory)

  1. West Hickory Senior Center Food Pantry
  2. Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Fridays 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. (Call for appointment)
  3. Non-perishable food 
  4. 828-328-2269

Centro Latino & St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, ELCA Community pantry (2259 12th Ave. NE, Hickory)

  1. Food Pantry with a variety of Latino specific non-perishable foods and snacks available.
  2. Pick up: Wednesdays: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 3 – 5 p.m.
  3. 828-330-0477

Hickory PORCH (2505 1st Ave SW, Hickory)

  1. Catawba County non-profit food assistance program for families with students in Hickory Public Schools.
  2. Child can get food vouchers from school counselor.
  3. Distribution: 3rd Tuesday of the month, 5 – 6:30 p.m.
  4. hickoryporch@gmail.com

West Hickory Baptist Church Food Ministry (40 12th ST NW, Hickory)

  1. Offers prayer, counseling and groceries (non-perishable items).
  2. Third Thursday/Month, 9 – 11 a.m.
  3. 828-327-4286

NEWTON

Eastern Catawba Cooperative Christian Ministry (245 E N Street, Newton)

  1. ECCCM Hunger Relief Programs require a personal interview with a case manager.

Programs provide food assistance for families experiencing food insecurity.

ALL hunger programs run for a six-month cycle, with a required renewal for the program to continue.

Programs provide sufficient quantities per household size. Open to all Catawba County residents.

  1. There is a Student Hunger Prevention Program available to Catawba County resident students and their families. 
  2. Pick up: Monday – Thursday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  3. 828-465-1702 or visit - https://ecccm.org/hunger-relief/

The Corner Table Soup Kitchen (112 N Main Ave, Newton)

  1. Community Kitchen: Hot meals Monday – Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Guests have the option to dine in or take their meal to go.
  2. Also have free food items available out back. They vary and can include breads, pastries, drinks, meat, produce etc.

Our Community Kitchen also sends guests home each Friday with a to-go-bag to cover for another meal.

Also delivers lunch to Strong Life Ministries Monday-Friday by 12 p.m.

  1. Frozen Meals: available to pick-up Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  2. Backpack Program: Any student in need in Catawba County can enroll in our Backpack Program. Application online, or they can go through their teacher or guidance counselor. A food bags are sent home each weekend of the school year. During the summer, food bags available at all seven County Library branches. Call: 828-464-0355
  3. Community Kitchen: 828-464-0355

In My Father’s House (108 East 1st Street, Newton)

  1. Community support services network providing a feeding program, food pantry.
  2. Hot meal served every Saturday, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  3. For those that can't make it to the facility, delivery available, this was designed with seniors in mind. Call for delivery.
  4. 704-418-9012

CONOVER

Highways and Hedges (3675 Herman Sipe Road, Conover)

  1. Offers a limited food pantry and clothing closet.
  2. 828-781-8095

St. John’s Lutheran Church (2126 St. Johns Church Road NE, Conover)

  1. Non-perishable foods available in Sharing Center at church.
  2. Tuesday: 4 – 6 p.m. and Thursday: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
  3. 828-464-4071

SHERRILLS FORD

Christian Food Pantry of Sherrills Ford – Hopewell UMC (2211 Hopewell Church Road, Sherrills Ford)

  1. Provides emergency food assistance in the Sherrills Ford area.
  2. 704-877-0404

OTHER LOCATIONS

New Hope Homeless & Poverty Ministry (Mobile Food Pantry)

  1. Offers a mobile food pantry with canned and dry goods.
  2. Also prepares hot meals for delivery to shut-ins and homeless.
  3. 828-781-3789 – newhopehpm@yahoo.com

The Catawba County Library Food Program

  1. Partnered with The Corner Table to distribute food at three library locations:

Main Library Newton (115 West C Street), Conover (403 Conover Station SE) and St Stephens (3225 Springs Road, Hickory).

  1. In each of these locations, there is a bin near the entrance containing bags of shelf stable food (mostly things ready to eat) that people can pick up, no questions asked during the library’s operating hours, which vary by location.
  2. Main Library Newton: 828-465-8664 – Conover: 828-466-5108 – St Stephens: 828-466-6821

 

Weekend Food Resources

Lunch on Saturday’s – starting at 12 p.m.

1st (Saturday) – New Hope Ministries, served at Hickory Soup Kitchen

2nd – Open Door Homeless Ministries, GHCCM Whole Life Center (206 1st Ave. SE, Hickory)

3rd – First United Methodist Church, 311 3rd Ave NE, Hickory – 12 – 1 p.m.

4th – Christ Lutheran, 324 2nd Ave SE, Hickory

5th – Morning Star Baptist, 126 4th Ave SE, Hickory

 

Lunch on Sunday’s – starting at 12:30 p.m.

1st (Sunday)–Discovery Church at Hickory Soup Kitchen, 110 2nd St. Pl.

2nd – First Presbyterian, 237 2nd St NW, Hickory

3rd – Served at Hickory Soup Kitchen

4th – Hickory Elks Lodge at Hickory Soup Kitchen – 356 Main Ave NW, Hickory

5th – First Baptist Church – 339 2nd Ave NW Hickory

 

Bowl of Plenty – Cornerstone Church (411 E Main St, Maiden)

First and Third Saturdays: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. All take out