Community Food Resources
General Information
This page will be updated with important information regarding food and nutitrion resources for Durham County residents impacted by the federal government shutdown.
Durham Food Resources – updated 10.31.2025
Need Food Now?
- Searchable list (and printable versions in English/Spanish) of Durham food pantries
- https://www.endhungerdurham.org/food-resources/
- Interactive map to find food resources close to your address
- https://durham-area-food-resources-durhamnc.hub.arcgis.com/
Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC
- Find free food and services in your community by entering your zip code
- Fridges stocked with free foods and prepared meals, open 24/7
- https://www.durhamcommunityfridges.com/
Urban Ministries Community Cafe
- Meals served to anyone in need.
- Monday-Friday: Breakfast and bag lunch pickup 8-9 a.m; Dinner 6-7 p.m
- Saturday-Sunday: - Breakfast 9:30-10:30 a.m; Hot lunch in the cafe 12:30-1:30 p.m.; Dinner 6-7 p.m.
- Arrive slightly before mealtime to get in line
- https://umdurham.org/cafe/
Other Important Food Resources
- FREE school meals (breakfast and lunch) for ALL students. No application required
- Some schools have food pantries (ask your child’s teacher or social worker)
- https://www.dpsnc.net/page/menus
- Food program at local farmers’ markets
- Matches SNAP and cash/debit for any SNAP, WIC, or public housing residents
- Ex. spend $40, get $40 matched for free, no registration needed
- https://triangledoublebucks.com/
GoDurham Senior Shuttle (rides to the grocery store)
- Free weekly grocery trips (to Walmart or Food Lion) for select senior communities
- Information and referral service for food, housing, health care, and more
- https://nc211.org/ or dial 2-1-1
Ways to Help
Looking for ways to help our community? Thank you! Below are some ideas.
Things to know before you donate
- Financial donations are always needed and generally preferred
- Food donations are also helpful!
- Tips for donating food -
- Please call organizations before donating food to ensure they have capacity
- All foods should be non-perishable
- Canned fruit or canned meat with ring/pop-top lids (many lack can openers)
- Ready to eat items and snacks
- This list from Second Harvest Food Bank lists specific nutritious, wholesome foods that are great to donate
- https://www.secondharvestnwnc.org/_files/ugd/d8ff13_d1b2ab422ccf4d5b970de0804b341945.pdf
Support Durham Food Banks
The Food Bank of Eastern & Central NC
- The Food Bank supports many Durham food pantries and offers other community resources
- https://foodbankcenc.org/give
- Interfaith Food Shuttle supports many Durham pantries and schools
Support your Local Food Pantries
- Reach out to your local food pantries, Durham Community Fridges, Meals on Wheels of Durham, and other organizations/mutual aid groups to ask how you can help.
Support our Schools
- Find out if your child’s school or your neighborhood school has a school food pantry. Reach out to them to get involved and donate.
- Participate in school meals! Every meal served (to any student) helps to strengthen the DPS school meal program so they can best support our community.
- Support PORCH Durham and Bagging it 4 Kids. They provide food to many school pantries and other pantries too.
Resource Flyers
Download these flyers in English and Spanish to share with Durham County Residents
