Questions people ask
Where can I get free food in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina?
We have confirmed 2 places that can help in Mecklenburg County: The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte (Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM; Closed for lunch 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM; Saturday-Sunday: Closed), (704) 716-2769, call first; Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina (call to find a pantry near you), (704) 376-1785, call first. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I get housing help in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina?
We have confirmed one place that can help in Mecklenburg County: Inlivian in Charlotte, (704) 336-5183. Please call first to confirm. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I find a shelter or warming center in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina?
We have confirmed one place that can help in Mecklenburg County: The Salvation Army Charlotte NC Center of Hope, (704) 348-2560. Please call first to confirm. We could not confirm a year-round walk-in shelter in the county. For a place to stay tonight, call 2-1-1, or 911 in an emergency.
Where can I find a free or low-cost clinic in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina?
We have confirmed 18 places that can help in Mecklenburg County: AMG, N Tryon Rd in Charlotte, (704) 764-1387, call first; AMG, Randolph Rd in Charlotte, (704) 624-8477, call first; AMG1 Harris Blvd in Charlotte, (704) 208-4134, call first. 15 more are listed on this page. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I get help with addiction or mental health in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina?
We have confirmed 3 places that can help in Mecklenburg County: The Salvation Army Charlotte Adult Rehabilitation Center, (704) 332-1171, call first; 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (24 hours a day, 7 days a week), 988; SAMHSA National Helpline (Open 24 hours a day, every day), (800) 662-4357. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. If you are in crisis right now, call or text 988. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I get help with veterans benefits in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina?
We have confirmed 2 places that can help in Mecklenburg County: Veterans Crisis Line (Open 24 hours a day, every day), 988; VA national phone lines (Benefits line, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM Eastern), (800) 827-1000. A veteran in crisis can call 988 and press 1, or text 838255.
Where can I get free legal help in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina?
We have confirmed one place that can help in Mecklenburg County: Legal Aid of North Carolina, (866) 219-5262. Please call first to confirm. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Is HelpByState free to use?
Yes. There is nothing to sign up for and nothing to pay. Every listing is free, and so is adding or correcting one.
Why do some listings say call first?
Church and community pantries often change days, move, or close for a holiday. When the sources we checked disagree, or an organization does not publish its hours, we say so instead of guessing. A quick call saves a trip.
I run a pantry or a program. How do I get listed or fix our hours?
Use the Add a listing or Suggest an update form. We confirm it against your own page or contact you, then change the listing. It is free.
Is this the same as 2-1-1?
No. 2-1-1 is a statewide phone line and database run by the state network. HelpByState is an independent, county-by-county directory that shows the date each listing was checked. If you want to talk to a person, dial 2-1-1.
Where do the hours and phone numbers come from?
From each organization's own website or page, official sources such as housing authority and WIC clinic lists, and the public Find Food map of the local food bank. We list the source on every card.