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Find Free Food In University CityLemontree makes it easy to find the best food pantries near you. Browse our directory, or sign up for personalized assistance & helpful tools. Our team of specialists can answer any question!
  1. Street view

    Food pantry (groceries)

    39 reviews

    Unclaimed

    1 minute

    average wait time

    0.52 mi


    • Requirements

      • Form needs to be filled out with household size
    • Offerings

      • Free Groceries
      • Diapers and Clothes upon availability

    Schedule

    • Tomorrow

      10:00 am–11:00 am

    • Next Wednesday

      3:00 pm–5:00 pm

    • Sat, August 16th (next week)

      10:00 am–11:00 am

    • 3:00 pm–5:00 pm

      every week on Wednesday

    • 10:00 am–11:00 am

      every week on Saturday

    Contact

    (704) 491-7460

    http://upliftmin.org/

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  3. Street view

    Soup kitchen (ready-to-eat meals)

    0 reviews

    Unclaimed

    no ratings yet

    1.39 mi


    Info

    This summer from 06-16-2025 to 08-08-2025. The supervisor is Elizabeth Kirkland (tel: (980) 206-3385). All kids and teens ages 18 and under can eat for free. Some meal sites may ask for registration to receive meals Families can receive $120 in SUN Bucks grocery-buying benefits per eligible school-aged child on a debit-like card to buy nutritious food during the summer at grocery stores, farmers markets and some online retailers. Learn more and find out if your child is eligible at ncdhhs.gov/SUNBucks.

    • Requirements

      • All children under 18 are eligible
    • Offerings

      • Prepared Meals

    Schedule

    • Today

      11:30 am–12:00 pm

    • Next Monday

      8:30 am–9:00 am

    • Next Monday

      11:30 am–12:00 pm

    • 8:30 am–9:00 am

      every week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

    • 11:30 am–12:00 pm

      every week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

    Contact

    (980) 206-3385

    https://summermeals4nckids.org/

  4. Street view

    Food pantry (groceries)

    35 reviews

    Claimed

    5 minutes

    average wait time

    2.05 mi


    Info

    Labor Day Holiday Closure! ALL OPERATIONS INCLUDING PANTRIES, MOBILE PANTRIES AND FOOD PHARMACIES, HOME DELIVERIES, FOOD SHARES, MEALS ON WHEELS DELIVERY, MAIN OFFICE AND WAREHOUSE WILL BE CLOSED Saturday, August 30 through Monday, September 1, 2025 in observance of Labor Day. This is an emergency food pantry that requires a referral.

    How To Get A Referral: To get a referral please have the following information ready for each person in the household: ▪ First and Last Name ▪ Date of Birth ▪ Phone Number (if available) ▪ Current Address ▪ Gender ▪ Ethnicity ▪ Veteran Status ▪ Receiving Food Stamps/SNAP** ▪ Household Income** ▪ Disability (Y or N) ▪ Email Address (if available) ▪ Date of Pick Up ▪ Preferred Pantry Location and secondary location in case the primary location is at capacity.

    To access pop-up food shares for excess fresh items, no referral, ID or financial documents are required. Pre-registration is required to ensure there is enough food. Follow this link to see locations and register: https://nourishup.org/foodshare/

    Visit our website at https://nourishup.org/pantries/ under the food pantries tab for all of our location and hours.

    • Requirements

      • Referral Required. Lemontree can provide this referral. Please see the requirements in notes.
    • Offerings

      • Free Groceries

    Schedule

    • Today

      3:00 pm–5:00 pm

    • Next Tuesday

      3:00 pm–5:00 pm

    • Next Wednesday

      3:00 pm–5:00 pm

    • 3:00 pm–5:00 pm

      every week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

  5. How do I get food?

    You can receive food by visiting the food pantry or soup kitchen when it’s open. Make sure to check each resource page to see details like address, full schedule, and requirements.

  6. Can someone deliver the food to my house?

    Delivery services are very limited and are reserved for senior citizens or those with serious medical problems. If you believe you fall into either category, let us know and we may be able to help you find options in University City.

  7. What do I have to bring?

    Every location is different! Please review the details included on each resource to see whether you need to bring any documentation like ID or proof of address, or supplies like bags to carry the food. If you don’t see any information on the resource, you don’t have to bring anything!

  8. Street view

    Soup kitchen (ready-to-eat meals)

    1 review

    Unclaimed

    average user rating

    2.9 mi


    Info

    This summer from 06-17-2025 to 08-08-2025. The supervisor is Janette Kinard (tel: (704) 746-8081). All kids and teens ages 18 and under can eat for free. Some meal sites may ask for registration to receive meals Families can receive $120 in SUN Bucks grocery-buying benefits per eligible school-aged child on a debit-like card to buy nutritious food during the summer at grocery stores, farmers markets and some online retailers. Learn more and find out if your child is eligible at ncdhhs.gov/SUNBucks.

    • Requirements

      • All children under 18 are eligible
    • Offerings

      • Prepared Meals

    Schedule

    • Open now!

      7:30 am–8:15 pm

    • Today

      12:00 pm–1:00 pm

    • Next Monday

      7:30 am–8:15 pm

    • 7:30 am–8:15 pm

      every week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

    • 12:00 pm–1:00 pm

      every week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

    Contact

    (704) 746-8081

    https://summermeals4nckids.org/

  9. Street view

    Soup kitchen (ready-to-eat meals)

    0 reviews

    Unclaimed

    no ratings yet

    2.68 mi


    Info

    This summer from 06-16-2025 to 08-22-2025. The supervisor is Veronica Washington (tel: (704) 302-3699). All kids and teens ages 18 and under can eat for free. Some meal sites may ask for registration to receive meals Families can receive $120 in SUN Bucks grocery-buying benefits per eligible school-aged child on a debit-like card to buy nutritious food during the summer at grocery stores, farmers markets and some online retailers. Learn more and find out if your child is eligible at ncdhhs.gov/SUNBucks.

    • Requirements

      • All children under 18 are eligible
    • Offerings

      • Prepared Meals

    Schedule

    • Open now!

      8:30 am–10:00 am

    • Today

      11:30 am–1:30 pm

    • Next Monday

      8:30 am–10:00 am

    • 8:30 am–10:00 am

      every week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

    • 11:30 am–1:30 pm

      every week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

    Contact

    (704) 302-3699

    https://summermeals4nckids.org/

  10. Street view

    Food pantry (groceries)

    10 reviews

    Claimed

    46 minutes

    average wait time

    3.57 mi


    Info

    Hope Street Food Pantry is a community food pantry open to anyone in need. You can receive food from Hope Street once a week. You do not need a referral, appointment, ID or financial documents to receive food.

    Go to hopestreetfoodpantry.com for a list of all the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library branches we serve at every Tuesday 10am-noon. We're also open every Thursday 4-7pm at 4100 Johnston Oehler Road.

    • Requirements

      • ID required
      • Must have telephone number
      • Registration required on site
    • Offerings

      • Free Groceries

    Schedule

    • Next Thursday

      4:00 pm–7:00 pm

    • Thu, August 21st (in 2 weeks)

      4:00 pm–7:00 pm

    • Thu, August 28th (in 3 weeks)

      4:00 pm–7:00 pm

    • 4:00 pm–7:00 pm

      every week on Thursday

  11. Street view

    Food pantry (groceries)

    32 reviews

    Unclaimed

    10 minutes

    average wait time

    3.83 mi


    Info

    The pantry dont operate during the holiday week

    • Requirements

      • ID required
      • Appointments required
    • Offerings

      • Free Groceries

    Schedule

    • Today

      2:00 pm–4:00 pm

    • Fri, August 15th (next week)

      2:00 pm–4:00 pm

    • Fri, August 22nd (in 2 weeks)

      2:00 pm–4:00 pm

    • 2:00 pm–4:00 pm

      every week on Friday

  12. Street view

    Food pantry (groceries)

    16 reviews

    Claimed

    10 minutes

    average wait time

    4.09 mi


    Info

    Previously "Loaves & Fishes/Friendship Trays". New name. Same mission.

    This is an emergency food pantry that requires a referral.

    How To Get A Referral: To get a referral please have the following information ready for each person in the household: ▪ First and Last Name ▪ Date of Birth ▪ Phone Number (if available) ▪ Current Address ▪ Gender ▪ Ethnicity ▪ Veteran Status (Y or N) ▪ Receiving Food Stamps/SNAP (Y or N) ▪ Household Income** ▪ Disability (Y or N) ▪ Email Address (if available) ▪ Date of Pick Up ▪ Preferred Pantry Location and secondary location in case the primary location is at capacity.

    To access pop-up food shares for excess fresh items, no referral, ID or financial documents are required. Pre-registration is required to ensure there is enough food. Follow this link to see locations and register: https://nourishup.org/foodshare/

    Visit our website at https://nourishup.org/pantries/ under the food pantries tab for all of our location and hours.

    • Requirements

      • Referral Required. Lemontree can provide this referral. Please see the requirements in notes.
    • Offerings

      • Free Groceries

    Schedule

    • Next Tuesday

      11:00 am–12:00 pm

    • Tue, August 26th (in 3 weeks)

      11:00 am–12:00 pm

    • Tue, September 9th (next month)

      11:00 am–12:00 pm

    • 11:00 am–12:00 pm

      every 2 weeks on Tuesday

  13. Street view

    Soup kitchen (ready-to-eat meals)

    1 review

    Unclaimed

    no ratings yet

    4.03 mi


    Info

    This summer from 06-16-2025 to 08-08-2025. The supervisor is Deborah Redmond (tel: (704) 779-1653). All kids and teens ages 18 and under can eat for free. Some meal sites may ask for registration to receive meals Families can receive $120 in SUN Bucks grocery-buying benefits per eligible school-aged child on a debit-like card to buy nutritious food during the summer at grocery stores, farmers markets and some online retailers. Learn more and find out if your child is eligible at ncdhhs.gov/SUNBucks.

    • Requirements

      • All children under 18 are eligible
    • Offerings

      • Prepared Meals

    Schedule

    • Today

      12:00 pm–12:30 pm

    • Next Monday

      8:15 am–8:45 am

    • Next Monday

      12:00 pm–12:30 pm

    • 8:15 am–8:45 am

      every week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

    • 12:00 pm–12:30 pm

      every week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

    Contact

    (704) 779-1653

    https://summermeals4nckids.org/

  14. Street view

    Food pantry (groceries)

    19 reviews

    Unclaimed

    10 minutes

    average wait time

    4.1 mi


    • Requirements

      • Drive-Thru Only
      • Food pantry: Needs to fill out a form
    • Offerings

      • Free Groceries

    Schedule

    • Next Wednesday

      5:00 pm–6:00 pm

    • Wed, August 20th (in 2 weeks)

      5:00 pm–6:00 pm

    • Wed, August 27th (in 3 weeks)

      5:00 pm–6:00 pm

    • 5:00 pm–6:00 pm

      every week on Wednesday

    Contact

    (704) 597-8249

  15. Do I need an appointment?

    Every location is different! Some places in University City accept appointments, some require it, and others allow walk-ins. Please review all details on the resource page to understand how you should prepare for your visit.

  16. What kind of food do they have?

    Food pantries offer grocery-style items such as canned food, fresh produce, and dry goods like pasta or rice that you can cook yourself. Soup kitchens offer ready-to-eat items like hot meals or sandwiches. All of these locations may have different options on different days, so it is hard to tell what each one of them will offer any given day.

  17. Do they have vegetables?

    Pantries may have different options at different times, so it is hard to tell what each one of them will offer any given day. Most pantries in University City do give out some form of vegetables, but they may be canned items.

  18. Do they have meat?

    Pantries may have different options on different days, so it’s hard to tell what each one of them will offer any given day.

  19. Any pantries open today?

    If you’ve signed up for personalized assistance through our text message helpline, please take a look at the links we’ve sent you! If none of the resources we’ve sent are open today, let us know and we can search for additional options. Here’s a list of everything in University City that’s open today: Breathe of Life, Inc, Camino Health Center Pantry - Nourish Up - Referral Required, Derita Presbyterian Church, Northside Charlotte, Harbor Baptist, Assurance Community Bible Ministries

  20. Where are you located?

    Because our work is mostly virtual, the Lemontree team works remotely, and we don’t have an office in University City for in-person visits. You can always reach us by texting 90847 between 10am-6pm, every day of the week.