Free Food Pantries & Soup Kitchens in Lumberton and Robeson County, NC
Robeson County is consistently ranked among the most food-insecure counties in North Carolina. This page lists, by area below, free food pantries, soup kitchens, and emergency food programs in Lumberton and across Robeson County, North Carolina
The largest organization in the county is Robeson Together (600 W. 5th St., Lumberton), which operates a Free Choice Pantry open most weekdays and a mobile pantry that travels to rural communities throughout the county weekly. Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina, the Feeding America affiliate for the region, supplies groceries to more than 260 partner agencies across Robeson and neighboring counties.
- NOTE: Most programs require a photo ID and proof of address — call ahead to confirm what to bring. Also the hours of operation of most pantries, as they are limited in scope, are limited so it is best to call in advance.
County-Wide Food Resources
These organizations serve all of Robeson County or coordinate the broader food assistance network.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina
Address: 406 Deep Creek Rd., Fayetteville, NC 28302 (serves Robeson County through partner agencies) Phone: (910) 485-8809
The Feeding America-affiliated food bank for seven counties of southeastern North Carolina — Bladen, Cumberland, Duplin, Harnett, Hoke, Robeson, and Sampson. Second Harvest supplies groceries to more than 260 partner pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and community organizations across the region. The Mobile Food Pantry program brings fresh, nutritious food directly to underserved rural communities throughout Robeson County on a rotating schedule.
- Second Harvest also administers TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program), which provides USDA commodity food boxes to income-eligible households through more than 50 member agencies in Robeson County. Call the main line or visit https://hungercantwait.org/ for the mobile pantry schedule and partner pantry locations.
Robeson County Department of Social Services
Address: 120 Glen Rd., Lumberton, NC 28358. Phone: (910) 671-3500
County DSS processes SNAP food stamp applications, WIC nutrition benefits, and Medicaid for Robeson County residents. Staff can provide referrals to emergency food programs and connect families to other public assistance. SNAP applications can also be submitted online at https://epass.nc.gov/.
NC 2-1-1
Address: Dial 2-1-1 (24/7). Phone: 211
Free, confidential helpline connecting callers to the nearest food pantry, SNAP enrollment help, utility assistance, and other emergency services in Robeson County and across North Carolina. Available around the clock.
Lumberton
Lumberton is the county seat and home to the largest concentration of food programs in Robeson County.
Robeson Together (Robeson County Church & Community Center)
Address: 600 W. 5th St., Lumberton, NC 28358. Phone: (910) 738-5204
Founded in 1969, Robeson Together is the oldest and largest faith-based emergency assistance organization in Robeson County, and the county's most comprehensive food resource. The on-site Free Choice Food Pantry allows clients to select their own groceries — roughly a week's worth of food per visit — and can be used once a month on an emergency basis. Clients are scheduled by the last digit of their Social Security number across different weekday mornings.
- A separate emergency food box program is available for acute one-time needs. Robeson Together also operates a weekly Mobile Food Pantry that travels to rural communities around the county to reach residents who cannot make it to Lumberton — breaking down the transportation barriers that exist in the state's largest-area county. Additional services include TEFAP commodity food distribution, emergency rent and utility assistance, medicine assistance, a Home Store with clothing and furniture, a medical supply loan program, and case management. Bring photo ID and Social Security cards for all household adults, and Medicaid or birth certificates for children. Proof of address also required.
My Refuge
Address: 2020 W. 5th St., Lumberton, NC 28358. Phone: (910) 618-5600
My Refuge provides a combination of food, temporary housing, and clothing to those in acute need. The food pantry is open most days of the week based on available supply, and hot meals are generally served regularly on weekdays and Saturdays. This is one of the few organizations in the county offering both shelter and daily meals in the same location. Call to confirm current availability before visiting.
Lumberton Christian Care Center
Address: 220 E. 2nd St., Lumberton, NC 28358. Phone: (910) 739-1204
One of Lumberton's primary emergency service organizations, the Christian Care Center operates a soup kitchen with daily hot meals on weekdays, as well as a transitional and emergency shelter. The organization also assists with food distribution and refers clients to other social services, including public benefits enrollment. Volunteers may deliver meals to homebound elderly residents. Call ahead for the current meal schedule and shelter availability.
Antioch Baptist Church Food Pantry
Address: 5089 Old Whiteville Rd., Lumberton, NC 28358. Phone: (910) 739-9425
Church-based food pantry operating on a limited weekly schedule. Families are limited to one visit per month. Call ahead to confirm availability and what documentation to bring.
BART Food Pantry
Address: 415 Country Club Dr., Lumberton, NC 28360. Phone: (910) 739-6167
Community food pantry open most weeks on weekday mornings. Call ahead to confirm the current schedule and any intake requirements.
Community Comes First, Inc.
Address: 3463 Oakgrove Church Rd., Lumberton, NC 28360. Phone: (910) 785-3679
Food bank serving the Lumberton area. Hours and policies vary — contact the organization directly before visiting.
Gospel Deliverance Family Worship Center
Address: 2450 Hwy. 211 W., Lumberton, NC 28360. Phone: (910) 739-4477
Church-based food assistance program. Call for current schedule and eligibility.
Branch Street United Methodist Food Bank
Address: 1708 Case St., Lumberton, NC 28358. Phone: (910) 738-6027
Church food bank serving the Lumberton community. Call for current distribution schedule.
The Rock Church of God Food Pantry
Address: 2208 W. Carthage Rd., Lumberton, NC 28360. Phone: (910) 738-6274
Church-based food pantry. Call for availability and eligibility.
Greater Restoration Ministries
Address: 708 E. 1st St., Lumberton, NC 28358. Phone: (910) 316-2120
Faith-based ministry providing food and other support to low-income, elderly, sick, and vulnerable residents of Lumberton and Robeson County. Call for current program availability.
New Vision Church of God Food Pantry
Address: Hwy. 74 & Biggs Rd., Lumberton, NC 28360. Phone: (910) 734-4027
Church-based food pantry serving unemployed, working poor, single parents, and other Robeson County families in need. Call for distribution schedule.
Heaven Bound New Vision
Address: 218 Harrill Rd., Lumberton, NC 28358. Phone: (910) 739-4702
Faith-based food assistance program. Call for current details.
Pembroke and University Area
Pembroke is the heart of the Lumbee Tribe's historic territory and home to UNC Pembroke.
Union Chapel Harvest Ministries
Address: 3546 Evergreen Church Rd., Pembroke, NC 28372
Phone: (910) 521-9084
A soup kitchen and multi-service ministry in Pembroke providing hot meals, baby supplies and formula for new parents, and referrals to other programs. The organization serves the Pembroke community and surrounding Lumbee communities. Call for current meal schedule.
Sacred Pathways, Inc.
Address: 303 W. College St., Pembroke, NC 28372. Phone: (910) 521-2685
Faith-based social services organization in Pembroke offering a soup kitchen and emergency food assistance. Has also opened as a temporary warming shelter during cold weather emergencies in partnership with the Robeson Together network. Call for current services and schedule.
Caring Touch Outreach Services
Address: 799 James Lynn Rd., Pembroke, NC 28372. Phone: (910) 521-9175
Provides information and enrollment assistance for federal nutrition programs including WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children), SNAP food stamps, TEFAP commodity food boxes, and Section 8 housing. A good first stop for families navigating public benefits in the Pembroke area.
Pembroke Church of God Food Pantry
Address: 518 Breece St., Pembroke, NC 28372. Phone: (910) 521-3233
Church food pantry serving Robeson County residents living near Pembroke. Emergency boxes of food — typically canned vegetables and fruits, rice, pasta, and shelf-stable staples — are distributed a few times per month. Call ahead to confirm the distribution schedule.
CARE Resource Center – UNC Pembroke
Address: 902 Dogwood Lane, Pembroke, NC 28372. Phone: (910) 775-4367
On-campus food pantry at the University of North Carolina Pembroke. Open to UNCP students, faculty, and staff, as well as community members who attend monthly educational workshops. One of the few campus-based food resources in the county, with a focus on reducing food insecurity among college students.
RCC Food Pantry – Robeson Community College
Address: 62 Union Chapel Rd. (A.S. Thomas Center), Pembroke, NC 28372
Phone: (910) 272-3611
On-campus food pantry at Robeson Community College, available to all RCC students, faculty, and staff. Call or visit the A.S. Thomas Center for current pantry schedule.
Red Springs and Southeast Robeson County
Broken Pieces, Inc.
Address: 258 E. 5th Ave., Red Springs, NC 28377. Phone: (910) 316-4524
Community outreach organization providing food and other emergency assistance in the Red Springs area of southeast Robeson County. Call for current program details.
Throne Room Ministries Food Bank
Address: 185 Pearlie Lane, Red Springs, NC 28377. Phone: (910) 843-2858
Church-based food bank serving the Red Springs community. Call for current availability.
Children's Hope Center
Address: 980 Dixie Dr., Red Springs, NC 28377. Phone: (910) 674-9665
Programs focused primarily on children and families, including USDA free school meal enrollment assistance, day care support, and commodity food distribution. Connects families to USDA benefit programs. Call for details on current food distribution.
Fairmont and Southwest Robeson County
Straightway Outreach Center
Address: 716 N. Walnut St., Fairmont, NC 28340. Phone: (910) 628-6037
Outreach organization serving low-income families in the Fairmont area with food assistance, public benefits counseling, and referrals to housing and hunger-prevention programs including SNAP food stamps and WIC. Call for current food distribution availability.
Cedar Grove Baptist Church Food Pantry
Address: 410 S. Morro St., Fairmont, NC 28340. Phone: (910) 740-7178
Faith-based food pantry serving the Fairmont community. Call for current distribution schedule and eligibility.
Rowland, Maxton, and Western Robeson County
Rainbow Assembly of God Church Food Pantry
Address: Hwy. 710 & Kitchen St., Rowland, NC 28383. Phone: (910) 422-8989
Emergency food pantry in Rowland with household supplies, hygiene items, and boxed groceries. Seasonal programs include Christmas food boxes and toys for children. Call for distribution schedule.
Faith Baptist Church Food Pantry
Address: 1667 Hwy. 710, Maxton, NC 28383. Phone: (910) 521-8125
Church-based food pantry serving the Maxton and western Robeson County area. Call for current schedule.
Lumber Bridge, Shannon, and North Robeson County
Collins Chapel United Methodist Church Food Pantry
Address: 1449 Lombardy Village Rd., Lumber Bridge, NC 28357. Phone: (910) 843-2545
Faith-based food assistance serving the Lumber Bridge community in the northern part of the county. In addition to groceries, the congregation has distributed blankets and seasonal items to keep households warm in colder months. Holiday meals are offered seasonally. Call ahead.
The Friendly Temple Church Pantry
Address: 203 Lyndsey Lane, Shannon, NC 28386. Phone: (910) 843-2202
Church food pantry serving the Shannon community in northern Robeson County. Call for current distribution schedule.
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