Food insecurity has become a common challenge for families in Wake County reaching its highest level in more than 15 years. (Food Bank CENC). (As of May 2024) Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study found that food insecurity is on the rise in North Carolina. 11.1% of the population face food insecurity and 51% of those food insecure individuals do not qualify for SNAP benefits. North Raleigh Ministries understands that families and individuals experiencing food insecurity are also experiencing life challenges and we are here to support them holistically.

We approach food insecurity in our community through a person-centered approach that is tailored to meet the individual needs of those we serve. We focus on providing a variety of fresh and nutritious foods while offering each individual the opportunity to engage in additional support.

Food Pantry

Crisis Food Assistance
Provides assistance to those with immediate food needs once per month. Participants will receive several days worth of perishable and non-perishable groceries for their household and are given the opportunity to engage in additional support, including food support, as needed.

Tailored Food Assistance
Offers up to weekly tailored grocery assistance to those engaged in supportive programming while overcoming a transitional life challenge.

Self-Shop Assistance
Available to individuals engaged in our Coaching programs. The self-shop market provides a grocery store-like atmosphere intended to give clients autonomy in their shopping experience. Self-shop assistance allows clients to invest in their efforts of developing a plan towards financial and personal stability by eliminating the costs of weekly groceries during their time enrolled in the programs.

Grocery Support
Grocery Support engages individuals and families experiencing a first time crisis with individualized support and encouragement. This program offers up to 8 weeks of one on one conversation and grocery support to both address individuals and families current food needs and create a plan to meet their future food needs.

Mindful Meals
Mindful Meals addresses the unmet needs of older adults in our community experiencing food insecurity, social isolation, and diet-related health risks. Each of the seven weekly sessions include group discussion of well-being including nourishment, sleep and rest, physical activity, environment, mental and emotional well-being, fulfillment and purpose, and community. In addition, participants prepare and cook healthy meals together in our kitchen to take home for the week.

Food Pantry
In 2024, North Raleigh Ministries distributed 188,560 pounds of food to the community. Families were assisted 1,655 times through Curbside Crisis Assistance and 880 times to our program engaged families. Since opening in May of 2024, our Self-Shop Market was utilized 615 times by families enrolled in our Coaching programs. 

Grocery Support
Seventy five percent of those completing the Grocery Support program left with a plan to meet their future food needs and the remaining left with a desire to get engaged in more in depth programming to work toward identified life goals.

Client Feedback

“Thanks to the help you’ve given my family and I, it has helped us a lot to never miss a meal.”

“I feel like I am ready to try to get to work again…Diana has been extremely kind, understanding and generous.”

Mindful Meals
Seventy five percent of participants who successfully completed the Mindful Meals program showed significant improvement in scores across surveys which measure changes in flourishing and human well-being, as well as diet and lifestyle related behavioral changes. All participants shared that they would recommend the program to a friend or family member. 

Client Feedback

“(Mindful Meals) had a great impact as far as thinking about not only food but life’s purpose; it is a great way to meet people, build relationships, and learn about overall well-being.”

“I understand that I need to spend more thought being more purposeful in my life because it keeps me more at peace with myself.”