Mecklenburg County
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Local offices in Mecklenburg County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · County office
Valerie C. Woodard Community Resource Center
3205 Freedom Drive, Charlotte, NC 28208
Help here
- Food and Nutrition ServicesGet help applying for food benefits and other support for your household.Apply onlineRead more
- Child Support ServicesGet help with child support services for your family.Read more
- Women, Infants and Children (WIC)Eligible pregnant or postpartum women, infants, and young children can get nutrition services.Read more
- Housing and financial supportFind county programs and referrals for housing and financial support.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dcr.mecknc.gov
Local office · Regional office
NC 211
Help here
- Community service referralsCall or search online to find local help with needs such as food, housing, health care, and utilities.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on nc211.org
Public health · County office
Mecklenburg County Public Health
249 Billingsley Road, Charlotte, NC 28211
Help here
- Public health clinic servicesGet information about county health clinics, testing, immunizations, and family planning.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on health.mecknc.gov
Courts and legal help · State office
Mecklenburg County Courthouse
832 East Fourth Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
Help here
- Court information and public recordsVisit the courthouse for court information and help accessing court records.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nccourts.gov
Older adults · Regional office
Centralina Area Agency on Aging
Help here
- Aging and caregiver resourcesConnect with services and resources for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers in Gaston County.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on centralinaaging.org
Veterans · County office
Mecklenburg County Veterans Services
3205 Freedom Drive, Charlotte, NC 28208
Help here
- Veterans benefits helpGet help understanding and filing claims for veterans benefits.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on css.mecknc.gov
Jobs and training · Regional office
NCWorks Career Center Mecklenburg County
8601 McAlpine Park Drive, Suite 110, Charlotte, NC 28211
Help here
- Job search and career helpGet help finding jobs, preparing a resume, and connecting with training programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on charlotteworks.com
State office
East Charlotte Driver License Office
5525 Albemarle Road, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC
Help here
- Driver licenses and identificationApply for or renew a North Carolina driver license or identification card.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ncdot.gov
Library · Regional office
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Help here
- Library servicesFind books, learning resources, and library services across the county library system.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cmlibrary.org
Mecklenburg County Government website
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals in Mecklenburg County, closest to the center of Charlotte first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
HUG Food Pantry
Hearts United for Good (HUGCLT)
1.1 miles from the center of Charlotte1124 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204
Hours
- Tue12 PM to 3 PM; 4 PM to 7 PM
- Wed12 PM to 3 PM
- Thu12 PM to 3 PM; 4 PM to 7 PM
Who can come: Anyone in need of food assistance
What to bring: Make an appointment, complete a short application, and get a pantry membership card. No ID or proof of income required.
Listed on hugclt.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Saint Paul Emergency Food Pantry
St. Paul Baptist Church
1.6 miles from the center of Charlotte1401 Allen St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Hours
- Wed8 AM to 12 PM (2nd of the month)
Who can come: People in need who meet the pantry's financial criteria
What to bring: Meet the pantry's financial criteria and provide identification or a utility bill.
Listed on stpaulbaptist.church, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Roof Above Day Services Center
Roof Above
1.7 miles from the center of Charlotte945 North College Street, Charlotte, NC 28206
Hours
- Mon11:15 AM to 12:15 PM
- Tue11:15 AM to 12:15 PM
- Wed11:15 AM to 12:15 PM
- Thu11:15 AM to 12:15 PM
- Fri11:15 AM to 12:15 PM
- Sat11:15 AM to 12:15 PM
- Sun11:15 AM to 12:15 PM
Who can come: Anyone, including people experiencing homelessness or unstable housing
Listed on roofabove.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Care Ring's Client Choice Food Pantry
Care Ring
2.3 miles from the center of Charlotte1514 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.
Listed on careringnc.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Mobile pantry
The Bulb at Care Ring
The Bulb
2.3 miles from the center of Charlotte1514 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.
Listed on careringnc.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free grocery market
Freedom Fridge & Pantry
QC Family Tree
3.5 miles from the center of Charlotte2916 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.
Listed on qcfamilytree.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Mecklenburg County
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
Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina
500 B Spratt St., Charlotte, NC 28206
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
Charlotte Area Fund, Inc.
901 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28206
Listed on ncdhhs.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Job help near Mecklenburg County
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.
American Job Center
NCWorks Career Center- Charlotte
Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison
6 miles away
8601 McAlpine Park Drive, Suite 110, Charlotte, NC 28211
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm; Closed the 3rd Friday each month
Updated by CareerOneStop on April 13, 2026
Youth program
Central Piedmont Community College
0 miles away
PO Box 35009, Charlotte, NC 28235-5009
Youth and reentry program
Suit Up Charlotte
For young people
3.7 miles away
2801 Crisman St., #103, Charlotte, NC 28208
Youth program
Community Partnership Inc. - Charlotte
4.9 miles away
5700 Executive Center Drive, Suite 210, Charlotte, NC 28212
Youth and reentry program
The Center for Community Transitions - Life Works!
For young people
5.7 miles away
5301 Wilkinson Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28208
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
CharlotteWorks Workforce Development Board
8601 McAlpine Park Drive, Suite 130, Charlotte, NC 28211
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.
Cities and towns in Mecklenburg 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
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