Need help right now?911 Emergency988 Crisis line2-1-1 Local help800-799-7233 Domestic violence
HelpByState

Carter County, Tennessee

Free help in Carter County, Tennessee

Find a food pantry open this week
Free help from local charities, food banks, and state and federal programs. Free to use, no sign-up. Every listing shows the day we checked it.

Always freeFree to use. No sign-up, no fees, nothing to buy.
Real help, from real placesFood banks, charities, churches, and state and federal programs near you.
Checked for youEach listing shows the day we checked it, so you do not drive to a closed door.

Start here

What do you need today?

Open now
Checking what is open today
39confirmed listings
6towns covered
28food pantries and meal programs
October 9last checked

This week

Food this week in Carter County

Pick a day to see which pantries are open and when. Times come from each pantry's confirmed schedule. Tap Call to reach them.

Loading this week's schedule.

On the map

What is close to you

Tap a numbered circle to zoom in. Pins are for orientation only: trust the address on each card.

AVERYMITCHELLJOHNSONSULLIVANUNICOIWASHINGTON CARTER COUNTY South Holston Lake ElizabethtonWatauga
Tennessee
39 places

    Some safety programs do not share an address, so they are not on the map. They are listed under Safety below.

    Food pantries and meals28

    Elizabethton

    Assistance and Resource Ministries

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee partner. Serves East Tennessee residents , Open to Residences of East Tennessee, Open to Residents of East Tennessee.

    Hours
    Food pantry: Tuesday and Wednesday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
    Address
    714 W C St, Elizabethton, TN 37643

    Call first. Hours come from the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee map. Please call to confirm before you go.

    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.Suggest an update
    Elizabethton

    Carter Christian Church

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee partner.

    Hours
    Tuesday, 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM (last week of the month only)
    Address
    1763 Tn-91, Elizabethton, TN 37643

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. Dial 2-1-1 for help reaching it.

    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.Suggest an update
    Elizabethton

    Courtyard Apts

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee partner.

    Hours
    Tuesday, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (last week of the month only)
    Address
    710 E 2nd St, Elizabethton, TN 37643

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. Dial 2-1-1 for help reaching it.

    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.Suggest an update
    Elizabethton

    Eastside Freewill Bapt, Eliz

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee partner.

    Hours
    Tuesday, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
    Address
    704 Siam Rd, Elizabethton, TN 37643

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. Dial 2-1-1 for help reaching it.

    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.Suggest an update
    Elizabethton

    First Baptist Church

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee partner.

    Hours
    Thursday, 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM (last week of the month only)
    Address
    212 E F St, Elizabethton, TN 37643

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. Dial 2-1-1 for help reaching it.

    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.Suggest an update
    Elizabethton

    First Christian Church ELIZ

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee partner.

    Hours
    Friday, 9:00 AM to 9:45 AM
    Address
    513 Hattie Ave, Elizabethton, TN 37643

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. Dial 2-1-1 for help reaching it.

    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.Suggest an update
    Elizabethton

    Franklin Place Apts

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee partner.

    Hours
    Friday, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM (last week of the month only)
    Address
    1490 State Line Rd, Elizabethton, TN 37643

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. Dial 2-1-1 for help reaching it.

    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.Suggest an update
    Elizabethton

    Hale Community Ministries/ELIZ

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee partner.

    Hours
    Tuesday and Thursday, 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
    Address
    3871 US-19e, Elizabethton, TN 37643

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. Dial 2-1-1 for help reaching it.

    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.Suggest an update
    Elizabethton

    Philippi Missionary Baptist

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee partner.

    Hours
    Wednesday, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 11:45 AM to 12:30 PM
    Address
    200 Horace Leftwich Ln, Elizabethton, TN 37643

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. Dial 2-1-1 for help reaching it.

    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.Suggest an update
    Elizabethton

    Range Community Christian Church

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee partner.

    Hours
    Sunday, 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
    Address
    175 Hart Rd, Elizabethton, TN 37643

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. Dial 2-1-1 for help reaching it.

    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.Suggest an update
    Elizabethton

    Rivers Edge Fellowship--Loaves and Fishes

    Food pantry, Free meals, a Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee partner.

    Hours
    Food pantry: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Free meals: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Food pantry: Thursday, 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
    Address
    1200 US-19e, Elizabethton, TN 37643

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. Dial 2-1-1 for help reaching it.

    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.Suggest an update
    Elizabethton

    Unaka Baptist Church

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee partner.

    Hours
    Saturday, 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
    Address
    1598 Tn-91, Elizabethton, TN 37643

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. Dial 2-1-1 for help reaching it.

    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.Suggest an update
    Elizabethton

    VFW 2166 Elizabethton

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee partner.

    Hours
    Friday, 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM (last week of the month only)
    Address
    2001 W Elk Ave, Elizabethton, TN 37643

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. Dial 2-1-1 for help reaching it.

    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.Suggest an update
    Roan Mountain

    Adventist Community Services

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee partner.

    Hours
    Tuesday, 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM. Thursday, 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM
    Address
    265 Heaton Creek Rd, Roan Mountain, TN 37687

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. Dial 2-1-1 for help reaching it.

    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.Suggest an update
    Roan Mountain

    Lower Shell Creek Christian Church

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee partner.

    Hours
    Friday, 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM (last week of the month only)
    Address
    8726 US-19e, Roan Mountain, TN 37687

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. Dial 2-1-1 for help reaching it.

    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.Suggest an update
    Roan Mountain

    Roan Mtn Good Samaritan

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee partner.

    Hours
    Food pantry: Tuesday, 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM. Food pantry: Tuesday, 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
    Address
    8491 US-19e, Roan Mountain, TN 37687

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. Dial 2-1-1 for help reaching it.

    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.Suggest an update
    Roan Mountain

    Sunset FWB Church

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee partner.

    Hours
    Thursday, 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM (last week of the month only)
    Address
    6676 US-19e, Roan Mountain, TN 37687

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. Dial 2-1-1 for help reaching it.

    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.Suggest an update
    Johnson City

    Buffalo Valley Christian Church

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee partner.

    Hours
    Monday, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM (last week of the month only)
    Address
    111 Buffalo Valley Church Rd, Johnson City, TN 37601

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. Dial 2-1-1 for help reaching it.

    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.Suggest an update
    Johnson City

    Food Assist (Berea FWB Church)

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee partner.

    Hours
    Friday, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
    Address
    2415 Sinking Creek Rd, Johnson City, TN 37604

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. Dial 2-1-1 for help reaching it.

    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.Suggest an update
    Johnson City

    Mekkah's Meadow Apartments

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee partner.

    Hours
    Friday, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (last week of the month only)
    Address
    180 Bishop Rd, Johnson City, TN 37601

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. Dial 2-1-1 for help reaching it.

    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.Suggest an update
    Watauga

    Brick Christian Church

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee partner.

    Hours
    Wednesday, 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM (last week of the month only)
    Address
    815 Watauga Rd, Watauga, TN 37694

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. Dial 2-1-1 for help reaching it.

    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.Suggest an update
    Watauga

    Community Fellowship

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee partner.

    Hours
    Monday, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM (last week of the month only)
    Address
    430 E 4th Ave, Watauga, TN 37694

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. Dial 2-1-1 for help reaching it.

    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.Suggest an update
    Watauga

    Sunflower Lane Community

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee partner.

    Hours
    Monday, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (last week of the month only)
    Address
    Persinger Rd, Watauga, TN 37694

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. Dial 2-1-1 for help reaching it.

    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.Suggest an update
    Butler

    Little Milligan Care & Share

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee partner.

    Hours
    Thursday, 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
    Address
    4226 US-321, Butler, TN 37640

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. Dial 2-1-1 for help reaching it.

    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.Suggest an update

    See all 28 food listings in Carter County →

    Utility bills and rent help1

    Countywide

    Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency

    Community action agency: help paying light and gas bills (LIHEAP), and, when funds allow, emergency rent help and other family programs. Call to ask what help is open now.

    Hours
    Please call for hours

    Call first. Hours are not listed. Call first to ask what help is open now and what to bring.

    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: THDA LIHEAP agency contacts (2026).Suggest an update

    Housing1

    Elizabethton

    Elizabethton Housing and Development Agency

    Public housing apartments and Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) for low-income families, older adults and people with disabilities.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    910 Pine Ridge Cir, Elizabethton, TN 37643

    Call first. Office hours are not published. Call to ask about openings and the waiting list.

    Health and dental1

    Roan Mountain

    Roan Mountain Medical Center

    Community health center run by Rural Health Services Consortium, INC. It sees patients with or without insurance and, as a federally funded health center, must offer discounts based on income.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    152 Highway 143, Roan Mountain, TN 37687

    Call first. Hours are not published on an official page we could check. Call first.

    Recovery and mental health help2

    Statewide

    988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

    Call or text 988 to reach a trained crisis counselor any time, for a mental health crisis, thoughts of suicide or a substance use crisis. It is free and confidential. Veterans can press 1.

    Hours
    24 hours a day, 7 days a week

    Veterans services2

    Statewide

    Veterans Crisis Line

    Dial 988, then press 1. Or text 838255, or chat at veteranscrisisline.net. Free and confidential. You do not need to be enrolled in VA health care.

    Hours
    Open 24 hours a day, every day
    Statewide

    VA national phone lines

    VA benefits: 800-827-1000. VA health benefits: 877-222-8387. Homeless veterans, open 24 hours: 877-424-3838. MyVA411, the main VA line, open 24 hours: 800-698-2411.

    Hours
    Benefits line, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM Eastern

    Safety and crisis help1

    Statewide

    National Domestic Violence Hotline

    Free, confidential help for anyone hurt or threatened by a partner or family member: safety planning, shelter referrals and someone to talk to. Call 1-800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or chat at TheHotline.org. In an emergency, call 911.

    Hours
    24 hours a day, 7 days a week

    Government offices2

    How HelpByState works

    Checked, dated and corrected by neighbors

    1. 1

      Matched to the source

      A listing goes up only after its phone and its address or hours match the organization's own page, or an official list.

    2. 2

      Dated on every card

      Each card shows the day we checked it. If sources disagree, we say call first instead of guessing.

    3. 3

      Fixed by the community

      See something wrong, or know a place we missed? Send it in. Nothing changes until we have checked it.

    Neighbors helping neighbors

    Help is closer than you think in Carter County

    A volunteer hands a bag of fresh groceries to a mother holding her daughter's hand
    Free groceriesFood banks and pantries give food to anyone who needs it.
    A helper smiles as she helps an older man fill out a form
    Someone to help you applyState offices and local programs help with food stamps, bills and more.
    Kids laughing together over a free meal with a grandmother at a community center
    Meals and care for kidsFree meals, clinics and family programs, close to home.

    Questions people ask

    Where can I get free food in Carter County, Tennessee?

    We have confirmed 28 places that can help in Carter County: Assistance and Resource Ministries in Elizabethton (Food pantry: Tuesday and Wednesday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM), (423) 542-0919, call first; Carter Christian Church in Elizabethton (Tuesday, 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM last week of the month only), call first; Courtyard Apts in Elizabethton (Tuesday, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM last week of the month only), call first. 25 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 paying rent or a utility bill in Carter County, Tennessee?

    We have confirmed one place that can help in Carter County: Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency, (423) 246-6180. Please call first to confirm. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.

    Where can I get housing help in Carter County, Tennessee?

    We have confirmed one place that can help in Carter County: Elizabethton Housing and Development Agency, (423) 543-3571. Please call first to confirm. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.

    Where can I find a free or low-cost clinic in Carter County, Tennessee?

    We have confirmed one place that can help in Carter County: Roan Mountain Medical Center, (423) 772-3276. Please call first to confirm. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.

    Where can I get help with addiction or mental health in Carter County, Tennessee?

    We have confirmed 2 places that can help in Carter County: 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. 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 Carter County, Tennessee?

    We have confirmed 2 places that can help in Carter 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 Carter County, Tennessee?

    We have confirmed one place that can help in Carter County: Legal Aid of East Tennessee, (865) 637-0484. 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 Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee. We list the source on every card.

    Something missing, or out of date?

    If you run a pantry or program, or you saw a listing that is wrong, tell us. We check every message against the organization's own page before anything changes.