Cary
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Local offices in Cary
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · City office
Housing & Community Partnerships
316 N. Academy Street, Cary, NC 27513
Help here
- Housing stability and home repair resourcesFind information about Cary housing programs and referrals for housing help.
- Oasis utility bill assistanceEligible Cary and Morrisville utility customers can apply for help paying a past-due Cary utility bill.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on housing.carync.gov
Local office · City office
Cary 311
316 N. Academy Street, Cary, NC 27513
Help here
- Town services and requestsCall 311 to ask questions or request help with non-emergency town services.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on carync.gov
Older adults · City office
Cary Senior Center
120 Maury O'Dell Place, Cary, NC 27513
Help here
- Senior programs and activitiesOlder adults can find classes, activities, and other services at the Senior Center.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on carync.gov
Jobs and training · State office
NCWorks Career Center, Cary
742-F East Chatham Street, Cary, NC 27511
Help here
- Job search and career servicesJob seekers can get help with finding work and other employment services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on commerce.nc.gov
State office
N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles, Cary Driver License Office
1387 SE Maynard Road, Cary, NC 27511
Help here
- Driver licenses and identificationVisit this state office for driver license and identification services.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ncdot.gov
Parks and recreation · City office
Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources
316 N. Academy Street, Cary, NC 27513
Help here
- Parks and recreation programsResidents can find and register for recreation, arts, sports, and outdoor programs.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on carync.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Cary first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Free grocery market
Hope Community Church Food Pantry
Hope Community Church
4.9 miles from the center of Cary821 Buck Jones Road, Raleigh, NC 27606
Hours
- Wed12 PM to 6 PM
Who can come: Anyone; the pantry is open to the public
What to bring: Register for a visit. Food pantry visits are available once every 30 days.
Listed on gethope.net, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Parktown Food Hub
9.2 miles from the center of Cary5123 Revere Rd, Durham, NC 27713
Hours
- Thu4:30 PM to 5:30 PM (2nd and 4th of the month)
Who can come: Anyone in need
Listed on foodfinder.foodbankcenc.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free grocery market
Life Harvest Food Pantry
Baptist Grove Church
9.3 miles from the center of Cary7109 Leesville Rd., Raleigh, NC 27613
Hours
- Sat10 AM to 11 AM (2nd and 4th of the month). January to October; 10 AM to 11 AM (1st and 3rd of the month). November to December
Who can come: Anyone
What to bring: No ID is required. Guests are asked to register with their name; first-time guests are asked for address, demographic, and household information.
Listed on baptistgrovechurch.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Faith Missionary Baptist Church
9.6 miles from the center of Cary908 Suffolk Boulevard, Raleigh, NC 27603
Hours
- Wed10:30 AM to 12 PM (1st and 3rd of the month)
Listed on foodfinder.foodbankcenc.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
A Place at the Table
10 miles from the center of Cary300 W. Hargett Street, Suite 50, Raleigh, NC 27601
Hours
- Tue8 AM to 2 PM
- Wed8 AM to 2 PM
- Thu8 AM to 2 PM
- Fri8 AM to 2 PM
- Sat8 AM to 2 PM
- Sun8 AM to 2 PM
Who can come: Anyone, regardless of means
Listed on tableraleigh.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Shepherd’s Table Soup Kitchen
10 miles from the center of Cary121 West Morgan St., Raleigh, NC 27603
Hours
- Mon11 AM to 12 PM
- Tue11 AM to 12 PM
- Wed11 AM to 12 PM
- Thu11 AM to 12 PM
- Fri11 AM to 12 PM
Listed on shepherds-table.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Cary
Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.
Food bank
Food banks supply the food pantries and meal sites near you. Call or check the website to find one close by.
Nonprofit
Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina
1924 Capital Boulevard, Raleigh, NC 27604
Listed on feedingamerica.org, checked on October 10, 2026
Nonprofit
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle
1001 Blair Drive, Raleigh, NC 27603
Listed on feedingamerica.org, checked on October 10, 2026
Free legal help
Free help with civil legal problems, like eviction, benefits and family law, for people with low incomes. Funded by the Legal Services Corporation.
Nonprofit
Legal Aid of North Carolina, Inc.
Listed on lsc.gov, checked on October 10, 2026
Community action
Local nonprofits that help people with low incomes. Many help with energy bills, rent, jobs and taxes. Call to ask what they offer now.
Nonprofit
Passage Home, Inc.
PO Box 28165, Raleigh, NC 27611
Listed on ncdhhs.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Job help near Cary
American Job Centers are free. They help you look for work, write a resume, find training and apply for unemployment benefits. You can ask for an interpreter.
CareerOneStop lists no American Job Center in Cary. These are the closest.
American Job Center
NCWorks Career Center- Capital Area (Raleigh)
Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison
11 miles away
1830-B Tillery Place, Raleigh, NC 27604
Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Fri 8:30am-2:00pm
Updated by CareerOneStop on April 13, 2026
American Job Center
NCWorks Career Center Durham County
Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison
12 miles away
1105 South Briggs Avenue, Durham, NC 27703
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:30 am until 4:30 pm; Friday 8:30 am -1:00 pm CLOSES TO PUBLIC AT 4:30
Updated by CareerOneStop on October 9, 2026
American Job Center · Affiliate center
NCWorks Career Center- Capital Area (Raleigh-Swinburne)
13 miles away
220 Swinburne St, Raleigh, NC 27610
Hours: Mon-Thurs 8:30am - 5:00pm Fri 8:30am-2:00pm
Updated by CareerOneStop on May 18, 2026
Unemployment benefits in North Carolina
If you lost your job or your hours were cut, you may be able to get unemployment insurance. You apply with the state, and the state decides who qualifies.
Workforce board for this area
The workforce board plans the job and training programs here and funds the job centers. Go to a job center for help; call the board with questions about its programs.
Workforce board
Capital Area Workforce Development Board
5942 Six Forks Rd., Raleigh, NC 27609
Workforce board
NCWorks Commission
4348 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-4348
Job center and program listings from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Checked on October 10, 2026.
Offices for all of Wake County
Cary is in Wake County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Wake County Division of Social Services
220 Swinburne Street, Raleigh, NC 27620
Help here
- Economic and family assistanceApply for food, Medicaid, child care, energy, and family assistance programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ncdhhs.gov
Public health · County office
Wake County WIC
200 Swinburne Street, Raleigh, NC 27610
Help here
- WIC nutrition supportApply for food and nutrition support for eligible pregnant people, new parents, infants, and children.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on wake.gov
Housing help · County office
Wake County Housing Authority
100 Shannon Drive, Zebulon, NC 27597
Help here
- Housing assistanceGet information about housing assistance and housing programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on wakecountyha.org
Public health · County office
Wake County Public Health
10 Sunnybrook Road, Raleigh, NC 27610
Help here
- Public health clinic servicesGet health clinic services, including testing, treatment, and vaccines.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on wake.gov
Courts and legal help · State office
Wake County Courts
316 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Help here
- Court and legal informationFind court contacts and information about cases, hearings, and court services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nccourts.gov
Older adults · Regional office
Triangle J Area Agency on Aging
4307 Emperor Boulevard, Suite 110, Durham, NC 27703
Help here
- Aging and caregiver resourcesFind information and referrals for older adults and family caregivers.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on tjaaa.org
North Carolina programs by kind of help
These are run by North Carolina and work the same everywhere in the state. Each page lists the programs and how to apply.
- FoodFood benefits, WIC, school meals and food banks.
- HousingRent help, shelter, and help with heat and power bills.
- HealthHealth coverage, Medicare, mental health care and help with drug costs.
- MoneyCash help, disability, retirement and veterans payments, and tax help.
- CareChild care, help for older adults and disability support.
- EducationHelp paying for college and training, and free preschool.
- WorkJobs, unemployment, and the IDs and papers you need for work.
- Legal helpFree legal help with eviction, family law, benefits and more.
- SafetyHelp with abuse at home, a safe place to stay, and crisis lines.
Checked on October 8, 2026
Federal help anyone can use
These come from the federal government, so they work the same in every state.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people with little income and few resources who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability, including children.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes and now cannot work because of a disability that will last a long time.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security retirement benefits
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes, starting as early as 62. Spouses and widows may also get benefits.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Medicare
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Health insurance for people 65 or older and for some younger people with a disability or kidney failure.
Call 1-800-633-4227 - Extra Help with Medicare drug costs
Social Security Administration. Help paying for Medicare prescription drug plans for people with limited income and resources.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - VA health care
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Health care at VA clinics and hospitals for veterans who served in the active military and did not get a dishonorable discharge.
Call 1-877-222-8387 - VA disability compensation and benefits
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Monthly payments for veterans with an illness or injury caused or made worse by military service, plus education, home loan and other benefits.
Call 1-800-827-1000 - FAFSA, the federal student aid form
U.S. Department of Education. One free form that opens federal grants, work-study and loans for college or trade school. Many states and schools use it for their own aid too.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - Federal Pell Grant
U.S. Department of Education. Money for college or trade school that usually does not have to be paid back, for students with financial need.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - HealthCare.gov
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The federal marketplace for health insurance plans. Many people can get lower monthly costs based on their income.
Call 1-800-318-2596 - Lifeline phone and internet discount
Federal Communications Commission. A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.
Call 1-800-234-9473 - Head Start and Early Head Start
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Free preschool, child care and family support for young children from birth to age 5 in families with low income, run by local programs.
Call 1-866-763-6481 - IRS Free File
Internal Revenue Service. File your federal tax return online for free with tax software offered through the IRS, if your income is under the year's limit.
- VITA and TCE free tax help
Internal Revenue Service. IRS-certified volunteers prepare and file your taxes for free, in person, for people with low or moderate income, older adults and people with disabilities.
Call 1-800-906-9887 - Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Internal Revenue Service. A federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can mean a bigger refund, even if you owe no tax.
Call 1-800-829-1040 - Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Help paying rent in a home you choose, for families with very low income, older adults and people with disabilities. Local housing authorities run it, and many have waiting lists.
- Replace a Social Security card
Social Security Administration. Get a free replacement Social Security card if yours was lost, stolen or damaged. Many people can ask online.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - FEMA disaster assistance
Federal Emergency Management Agency. Help with a place to stay, repairs and other needs after a disaster the President has declared in your area.
Call 1-800-621-3362
Checked on October 9, 2026
Talk to a person
- NC 211
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 211 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988