You Don't Have to Go Hungry

Not having enough food can happen to anyone. You may have lost your job, experienced an unexpected expense, become homeless, had your SNAP benefits interrupted, or simply reached a point where there is more month left than money.

Whatever the reason, there are food resources available throughout Alamance County.

If you are hungry today, don't wait until the situation becomes worse. Start making calls and connecting with local food resources.



🥫 1. Call 211 First

If you aren't sure where to find food, dial 2-1-1.

NC 211 can help connect you with local food pantries, meal programs, emergency assistance, and other community resources.

Tell the representative:

“I am in Alamance County and I need food assistance. I don't have enough food to eat today.”

Ask specifically for:

• Food pantries near you
• Free meal programs
• Emergency food assistance
• Food distributions
• Programs serving children
• Programs serving seniors
• Transportation to food resources

The Alamance County Food Resource Guide also recommends calling 211 to locate nearby food assistance.

🍎 2. Apply for SNAP/Food and Nutrition Services

If you regularly struggle to afford groceries, you may qualify for Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), North Carolina's SNAP program.

Contact:

Alamance County Department of Social Services

Phone: (336) 570-6532
Address: 319 N. Graham-Hopedale Road, Burlington, NC 27217
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Alamance County DSS accepts applications for Food and Nutrition Services and other assistance programs. Applications can also be completed through NC ePASS.

You can also ask DSS about other benefits you may qualify for, including Medicaid and Work First assistance.

Don't assume you make too much to qualify.

Eligibility depends on household circumstances and income. If you're unsure, apply or call and ask.

🥖 3. Visit a Local Food Pantry

Food pantries can provide groceries that you can take home and prepare.

The Alamance County Food Resource Guide maintained by N.C. Cooperative Extension lists numerous food pantries throughout Burlington, Graham, Mebane, and surrounding communities.

Some listed resources include:

ARCAP Community Action Agency

Address: 142 S. Lexington Avenue, Burlington
Phone: (336) 229-7031

AMOS of Alamance

Address: 617 Rauhut Street, Burlington
Phone: (336) 227-2542

Blessed Sacrament — Little Portion

Address: 328 W. Davis Street, Burlington
Phone: (336) 226-8796

Breakthrough Community Church Food Pantry

Address: 703 S. Third Street, Mebane
Phone: (919) 810-2137

Salvation Army of Alamance County

Phone: (336) 227-5529

Food pantry schedules and eligibility requirements can change, and some programs operate only on specific days. Call before going whenever possible.

🍲 4. Look for Free Meals — Not Just Food Boxes

If you are hungry right now and don't have a way to prepare food, ask about served meals rather than only food pantries.

United Way of Alamance County maintains information about local served-meal programs and food pantries, and local resource guides include organizations providing meals throughout the county.

When calling an organization, ask:

“Do you provide a hot meal today?”

You can also ask:

“If you don't serve meals today, do you know somewhere nearby that does?”

One organization may be able to direct you to another resource even if they cannot help you themselves.

🏠 5. If You Are Homeless AND Hungry

If you are experiencing homelessness, don't try to solve the housing and food problems separately.

Contact Allied Churches of Alamance County.

Phone: (336) 229-0881

Allied Churches is a major local resource for individuals experiencing homelessness and also connects people with meals and other supportive resources.

When you call, explain both problems:

“I am currently homeless and I don't have food. I need to know what emergency food and shelter resources are available.”

You can also contact DSS at (336) 570-6532 for assistance connecting with available public benefits and community resources.

👶 6. If You Are Pregnant or Have Young Children

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have young children, ask about WIC — Women, Infants, and Children.

Alamance County WIC

Phone: (336) 570-6745

The Alamance County Health Department's WIC program provides nutrition assistance and support for eligible women, infants, and children. Appointments are required for enrollment.

You may also want to ask about:

• WIC benefits
• Infant formula assistance
• Breastfeeding support
• Nutrition education
• Children's food assistance
• SNAP/FNS

👵 7. If You Are a Senior

Older adults may have additional food resources available to them.

Ask about:

• Meals on Wheels
• Congregate senior meals
• Senior food boxes
• Local food pantries
• SNAP/FNS
• Community meal programs

The Alamance County food resource information includes Meals on Wheels and senior-focused meal resources.

If transportation is a problem, tell the organization that when you call.

Don't simply say, “I need food.”

Say:

“I need food, but I don't have transportation to pick it up.”

That may change which resources are appropriate for you.

🚗 8. Don't Have Transportation?

Transportation can become a major barrier to receiving food.

When you contact 211, DSS, a food pantry, church, or community organization, explain that you cannot get to the food distribution location.

Ask whether they have:

• Delivery
• Mobile food distributions
• Transportation assistance
• A pantry closer to you
• A meal program within walking distance

The Alamance County Food Resource Guide specifically directs residents to 211 for help locating resources nearby.

📋 9. What Should You Bring to a Food Pantry?

Requirements vary by organization.

If you have them, bring:

• Photo ID
• Proof of address
• Documentation for household members
• Benefit information
• Proof of income, if requested
• Reusable bags or boxes

But don't assume you cannot receive help because you don't have everything.

Call first and ask what the pantry requires.

Some organizations may have different rules for emergency assistance.

📞 Important Numbers to Save

Resource & Phone

Emergency...911

NC 211...211

Alamance County DSS...(336) 570-6532

Allied Churches...(336) 229-0881

ARCAP Community Action Agency...(336) 229-7031

AMOS of Alamance...336) 227-2542

Blessed Sacrament/Little Portion...(336) 226-8796

Salvation Army...(336) 227-5529

Alamance County WIC...(336) 570-6745

Serenity Path Network...(336) 649-4300

The county and community resource guides confirm these local food-assistance contacts.

📝 What to Say When You Call

If you're nervous about asking for help, you can simply say:

“Hi, I'm currently struggling to get enough food. I live in Alamance County and I need food assistance. Can you tell me what resources are available today?”

If you're homeless:

“I'm currently homeless and I don't have food. I need help finding a meal or food pantry and I also need help with housing.”

If you have children:

“I'm responsible for children and we don't have enough food. I'm looking for emergency food assistance and any programs we may qualify for.”

You don't have to tell your entire life story.

Just explain what you need right now.

❤️ Asking for Food Assistance Is Not Something to Be Ashamed Of

Hunger doesn't mean that you have failed.

People can find themselves without enough food because of job loss, medical expenses, housing costs, reduced hours, unexpected bills, family emergencies, or many other circumstances.

The important thing is to ask for help before the situation becomes a crisis.

Start with 211.

Contact DSS if you need ongoing food assistance.

Contact a local food pantry or meal program if you need food immediately.

And if you're also experiencing homelessness, tell the agency that you need both food and housing assistance.

Serenity Path Network

Serenity Path Network believes that access to food, safe housing, and community resources are important parts of building a stable future.

Our mission is:

Providing Housing & Pathways To Independence.

If you are experiencing housing instability, homelessness, or need information about our transitional housing programs, contact us.

Serenity Path Network LLC
📞 (336) 649-4300
📧 contact@serenitypathnetwork.com
🌐 SerenityPathNetwork.com

A new path. A better future.

Important Reminder

Food pantry hours, eligibility requirements, distribution schedules, and available supplies can change. Call before traveling to a location whenever possible.

For the most current countywide food information, use 211 and the Alamance County Food Resource Guide.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency or someone is in immediate danger, call 911.