Need help feeding your family? Here are some resources in North Carolina’s Border Belt

By Ivey Schofield and Sarah Nagem 

iveyschofield@borderbelt.org

With inflation reaching the highest levels in more than four decades, some families are struggling to afford food while also keeping up with rising rents and higher gas prices. 

Here, the Border Belt Independent compiled a list of resources for people in Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland counties in southeastern North Carolina. The list includes information about local food pantries and also the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps. 

Bladen County

Department of Social Services: 208 E. McKay St., Elizabethtown; 910-862-6800 

Bladen Crisis Assistance: 208 Morehead St., Elizabethtown; 910-879-1032. The organization provides food and housing help in association with social services. 

Food pantries:

Men and Women United for Youth and Families: 1795 Woodyard Road, Riegelwood; 910-655-3811. The food pantry is open from noon to 2 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month. 

First Baptist Church of Bladenboro: 500 S. Main St., Bladenboro; 910-863-3618. The food pantry is open from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. the second Saturday of each month. 

Related: Roadside food pantry helps fill a need in Columbus County

Columbus County

Department of Social Services: 40 Government Complex Road, Whiteville; 910-642-2800

Food pantries:

Believers Home Fellowship: 212 Faith Circle, Tabor City; 910-653-7299. The food pantry is open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month for residents who are elderly or disabled. 

Harvest Table: 213 E. Columbus St., Whiteville; 910-642-6654. The food pantry is open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday and on Wednesday and Sunday evenings. A Hispanic outreach event is at 7 p.m. Thursdays. Emergency food boxes are available by appointment. 

Lake Waccamaw First Baptist Church: 300 Sam Potts Hwy., Lake Waccamaw; 910-646-3727. Food is distributed from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. the second Wednesday and fourth Saturday of each month. 

Men and Women United for Youth and Families: 1795 Woodyard Road, Riegelwood; 910-655-3811. The food pantry is open from noon to 2 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month.

Robeson County

Department of Social Services: 120 Glen Road, Lumberton; 910-671-3500

Food pantries: 

Robeson County Church and Community Center: 600 W. 5th St., Lumberton; 910-738-5204. The food pantry operates from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday each week. Residents can get one week of food once a month. RCCC also offers assistance with rent and utility bills and provides access to medical equipment. 

My Refuge: 2020 W. 5th St., Lumberton; 910-618-5600. The organization serves lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday each week and serves bagged lunches from 1:30 to 2 p.m. Sundays. 

Lumberton Christian Care Center: 220 E. Second St., Lumberton; 910-739-1204. Free meals are provided. 

CARE Resource Center at UNC Pembroke: 902 Dogwood Lane, Pembroke; 910-775-4367. The food pantry is open to UNCP students, faculty/staff and community members; community members must attend monthly educational workshops. Summer hours for the food pantry are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  

BART: 415 Country Club Drive, Lumberton. The food pantry operates from 11 a.m. to noon Mondays and Thursdays. 

Scotland County

Department of Social Services: 1405 W. Boulevard, Laurinburg; 910-277-2500

Food pantries:

Partners in Ministry: 12 Third St., East Laurinburg; 910-277-3355; The food pantry is open from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. every Friday. 

Church Community Services: 108 S. Gill St., Laurinburg; 910-276-8330. The food bank is open from 8:30 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and other times by appointment. The organization also has a clothing closet. 

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How to apply for SNAP benefits in NC

Individuals and families who meet certain income requirements may qualify for SNAP benefits, in which money for groceries is available on an EBT card. 

A family of four, for example, could currently receive up to $835 a month in SNAP benefits. 

There are three ways to apply: 

Apply online at epass.nc.gov

Apply at your local department of social services. (Addresses are listed above for Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland counties.) 

Fill out a paper application, which is available online here and can be printed out, and mail it to your local DSS office or drop it off there. 

L.C. McKenzie, an employee at the Robeson County Church and Community Center, loads frozen chicken into carts
for the organization’s food pantry.
Photo by Sarah Nagem