SNAP benefits could stop in November. Here’s where Charlotte area families can find food help

CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Families across North Carolina who rely on SNAP benefits could soon face a tough month ahead. If the federal government shutdown continues into November, funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, will be paused starting Nov. 1, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The shutdown began on Oct. 1, 2025, after Congress failed to pass a new budget.

For now, benefits are still being distributed, but the USDA has told North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services to pause all November SNAP payments until funding resumes.

SNAP helps more than 1.3 million North Carolinians, including over 500,000 children, buy groceries each month. Without that assistance, many families will be looking for other ways to put food on the table.

If you live in the Charlotte or Mecklenburg County area, here are some local organizations offering assistance:

Where to find food assistance

Camino Health Center – Food Farmacy
www.caminosalud.com
Provides a week’s worth of groceries tailored to dietary needs. English and Spanish available.

Senior Nutrition Program (Ages 60+)
cfas.mecknc.gov/programs/senior-citizen-nutrition-program
Offers free congregate meals, home-delivered meals, and a mobile market for older adults.

Food Help Line
www.foodhelpline.org/regions/charlotte
Finds nearby food pantries and free meal options in Charlotte.

Heart & Hands Food Pantry
www.heartsandhandsfoodpantry.com
Pick-up and delivery available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Call or text 980-292-0357.

Hope Street Food Pantry
hopestreetfoodpantry.com/get-help
No ID or referral needed. Mobile food pantry stops at library parking lots most Tuesdays.

Nourish Up
nourishup.org
Large network of pantries and home grocery deliveries. Call 704-523-4333 for immediate help.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina
Search for local pantries and soup kitchens here:
secondharvestmetrolina.org/need-food/get-food-assistance

NC 211 (United Way of North Carolina)
Dial 2-1-1 or 1-888-892-1162, or visit nc211.org for free, confidential help finding food, housing, and other resources.

Food insecurity in Mecklenburg County

Roughly 12% of households in Mecklenburg County experience food insecurity, according to county data. Officials said that number could rise sharply if SNAP funding is delayed.

For more local data and reports, visit the Mecklenburg County Food Security Dashboard.

If your family depends on SNAP and you’re worried about running out of groceries, reach out to one of these organizations; many have bilingual staff and can connect you with emergency food.

Local food pantries and soup kitchens across North Carolina

This list below is provided by the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina.

– Charlotte Pantry List (English)
– Charlotte Pantry List (Spanish)
– Hickory Pantry List (English)
– Hickory Pantry List (Spanish)
– Spartanburg Pantry List (English)
– Spartanburg Pantry List (Spanish)
– Anderson Pantry List (English)
– Anderson Pantry List (Spanish)
– Rowan Pantry List (English)
– Rowan Pantry List (Spanish)
– Lancaster Pantry List (English)
– Lancaster Pantry List (Spanish)
– Gaston Pantry List (English)
– York Pantry List (English)
– Union, NC Pantry List (English)
– Anson Pantry List (English)
– Stanly Pantry List (English)
– Oconee Pantry List (English)
– Pickens Pantry List (English)
– Rutherford Pantry List (English)
– Montgomery Pantry List (English)
– Cabarrus Pantry List (English)
– Abbeville Pantry List (English)
– Iredell Pantry List (English)
– Greenwood Pantry List (English)
– Cleveland Pantry List (English)

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