Hickory

Local offices in Hickory

We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.

• State office

  Catawba County Department of Social Services

  3030 11th Avenue Drive SE, Hickory, NC 28602

  Help here

  • Public benefitsApply for or ask about state and county assistance programs at the local Social Services office.
  Call 828-695-5600DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ncdhhs.gov

• Housing help · Regional office

  Western Piedmont Council of Governments Regional Housing Authority

  1880 2nd Avenue NW, Hickory, NC 28601

  Help here

  • Section 8 Rental AssistanceApply for rental assistance if you meet the program requirements.
  Call 828-322-9191DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on wpcog.org

• Utilities · City office

  City of Hickory Billing and Collections

  76 N Center St, Hickory, NC 28601

  Help here

  • Water and sewer bills and serviceGet help paying a water or sewer bill, starting or stopping service, and asking about your account.Apply online
  Call 828-323-7424DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hickorync.gov

• Utilities · City office

  City of Hickory Public Utilities

  1441 9th Ave NE, Hickory, NC 28601

  Help here

  • Water and sewer serviceContact the city about water and sewer service, leaks, meters, or utility system problems.
  Call 828-323-7427DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hickorync.gov

• Local office · Nonprofit

  NC 211

  Help here

  • Community resource referralsCall 211 to find local help with basic needs such as housing, food, utilities, and health care.Read more
  Call 211Website

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on nc211.org

• Local office · City office

  City of Hickory Action Center

  76 N Center St, Hickory, NC 28601

  Help here

  • City questions and service requestsCall or report an issue to get help with a city service or find the right city office.
  Call 828-323-7400DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hickorync.gov

• Library · City office

  Hickory Public Library

  375 3rd St NE, Hickory, NC 28601

  Help here

  • Library cards, books, computers, and programsUse library materials, computers, learning resources, and programs for people of all ages.
  Call 828-304-0500DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hickorync.gov

• Parks and recreation · City office

  Hickory Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism

  1451 8th St Dr NE, Hickory, NC 28601

  Help here

  • Parks and recreation programsFind city parks, recreation centers, classes, and activities for residents.Read more
  • Senior center activitiesVisit the Westmont Senior Center for activities and recreation for older adults.Read more
  Call 828-322-7046DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hickorync.gov

City of Hickory website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Food near you

Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Hickory first. Hours change, so call first when you can.

• Free meals

  Angels & Sparrows Community Table

  Angels & Sparrows

  35 miles from the center of Hickory

  15016 N Old Statesville Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078

  Hours

  • Mon11 AM to 1 PM
  • Tue11 AM to 1 PM
  • Wed11 AM to 1 PM
  • Thu11 AM to 1 PM
  • Fri11 AM to 1 PM

  Who can come: Anyone who needs help

  Call 704-918-0122DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on angelsandsparrows.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  Hearts and Hands Food Pantry

  Hearts and Hands Foundation Inc.

  41 miles from the center of Hickory

  4040 Chesapeake Drive, Charlotte, NC 28216

  Hours

  • Tue2 PM to 5:30 PM
  • Wed11 AM to 1 PM. Spanish only
  • Thu12 PM to 3 PM

  Who can come: Anyone who needs emergency food assistance

  Languages: Spanish

  Call 980-292-0357DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on heartsandhandsfoodpantry.com, checked on October 9, 2026

• Free grocery market

  Freedom Fridge & Pantry

  QC Family Tree

  42 miles from the center of Hickory

  2916 Parkway Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28208

  Hours

  • Mon12 AM to 11:59 PM. Open 24 hours
  • Tue12 AM to 11:59 PM. Open 24 hours
  • Wed12 AM to 11:59 PM. Open 24 hours
  • Thu12 AM to 11:59 PM. Open 24 hours
  • Fri12 AM to 11:59 PM. Open 24 hours
  • Sat12 AM to 11:59 PM. Open 24 hours
  • Sun12 AM to 11:59 PM. Open 24 hours

  Who can come: Anyone in need

  What to bring: No sign-up or other requirements.

  Call 980-505-7147DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on qcfamilytree.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  Champion House of Care Project One

  43 miles from the center of Hickory

  2230 West Sugar Creek Rd, Charlotte, NC 28262

  Hours

  • Mon9 AM to 11 AM. Food box; 1 PM to 3 PM. Produce pickup
  • Tue11:30 AM to 2 PM
  • Wed1 PM to 3 PM. Produce pickup
  • Thu1:30 PM to 2:30 PM. Seniors only
  • Fri2 PM to 3 PM

  What to bring: Registration is required for each distribution.

  Call 980-415-8113DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on championhouseofcareprojectone.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  Care Ring's Client Choice Food Pantry

  Care Ring

  44 miles from the center of Hickory

  1514 N Graham Street, Charlotte, NC 28206

  Hours

  Hours not listed. Call first.

  Operates two to three times weekly

  Who can come: Care Ring patients and clients, and other community members facing food insecurity

  What to bring: Community members need a referral and appointment through Nourish Up. Care Ring patients and clients should ask their provider or coordinator for a referral.

  Call 704-375-0172DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on careringnc.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Mobile pantry

  The Bulb at Care Ring

  The Bulb

  44 miles from the center of Hickory

  1514 N Graham Street, Charlotte, NC 28206

  Hours

  • Thu11 AM to 12 PM

  Who can come: Charlotte neighbors

  What to bring: No referral or appointment needed.

  Call 704-375-0172DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on careringnc.org, checked on October 9, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Hickory

Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.

Job help near Hickory

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.

• Youth and reentry program

  Exodus Homes

  For young people

  1.7 miles away

  610 4th St. SW, Hickory, NC 28602

  Call 828-324-4870DirectionsWebsite

These are the closest to Hickory.

• American Job Center

  NCWorks Career Center- Catawba County

  Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison

  6.3 miles away

  403 Conover Station SE, Suite C, Conover, NC 28613

  Hours: Monday-Thursday 8am-5:30pm;(Closes for lunch 12:30pm-1:30pm)

  Call 828-468-6947DirectionsWebsite

  Updated by CareerOneStop on September 11, 2026

• American Job Center

  NCWorks Career Center- Caldwell County

  Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison

  15 miles away

  1909 Hickory Blvd SE, Lenoir, NC 28645

  Hours: Mon, Tues, & Thurs 8:00am-5:30pm Closes for lunch 12:30pm-1:30pm, Wed 8am-12:30pm at Caldwell Library 1:30-4:30pm & Friday Closed to the public

  Call 828-759-4680DirectionsWebsite

  Updated by CareerOneStop on April 29, 2026

• American Job Center

  NCWorks Career Center- Lincoln County

  Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison

  19 miles away

  529 North Aspen Street, Lincolnton, NC 28092

  Hours: Friday 8am-4:30pm; Closes the 2nd Friday of each month at 12 noon.

  Call 704-735-8035DirectionsWebsite

  Updated by CareerOneStop on April 13, 2026

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 Catawba County

Hickory is in Catawba County. These county and state offices serve people there too.

• Older adults · Regional office

  Western Piedmont Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging

  1880 2nd Avenue NW, Hickory, NC 28601

  Help here

  • Aging ServicesFind information and referrals for older adults, people with disabilities, and their families.
  Call 828-322-9191DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on wpcog.org

• Jobs and training · Regional office

  NCWorks Career Center - Catawba County

  403 Conover Station SE, Suite C, Conover, NC 28613

  Help here

  • Job search and career helpGet help searching for jobs, preparing a resume, planning a career, or finding job training.Apply online
  Call 828-466-5535DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on wpcog.org

• State office

  NCDMV License Plate Agency - Conover

  803 Conover Boulevard W, Conover, NC

  Help here

  • Vehicle registration and platesHandle vehicle registration, title transactions, plate renewals, and replacement tags.
  DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ncdot.gov

Everything in Catawba County

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