How We Help

Our Programs and Services

CareNet is a thriving and growing organization, serving approximately 400 families per month exclusively in Macon County. We offer an array of programs and services to meet the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of those we assist. We are always reassessing our current programs and service to identify new needs in the community.

BackPack Program
Client Choice Food Pantry
Soup Café
TEFAP
The CARE Closet
Financial Assistance

With 30.4% of children (1 in 3) lacking access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate food.

What if we could provide sustenance and the hope for a brighter day in the life of a hungry child?

We believe we can. And we believe we should. That's what CareNet is all about. We are a network of advocates with a vision for a community where no one should feel the hurt of hunger. Especially our community's children. We've worked hard to provide nutritionally dense food options, that not only fills a child's tummy but also provides healthy food choices and a well-balanced meal fit for a child.

Help Feed the Need and ensure no child goes hungry in our community, make a pledge today to provide our youth with food for their tummies, and hope for a brighter future. Click the Give Button To Make Your Pledge Today!
Operating weekly (M-F) from 10am-1pm, the CareNet Choice Food Pantry resembles that of a small grocery store with fresh produce displays. Products are displayed on shelving in the pantry, with aisles labeled for the product type and amount for which guests may choose from. Guests are then provided 2 complimentary reusable grocery totes for carrying their items home. All guests are asked to return with their totes and/or an approved alternative for receiving groceries at their next visit.

Client choice food pantries provide great benefits to not only the guests being served, but also the ministry! Choosing their own food gives guests a sense of control and decision making, rather than helplessness of being provided a "made-to-order" box of items. Since many guests tend to not take food they won't use, relatively little of what a client-choice food pantry distributes goes to waste. In conserving foods that typically would otherwise be disposed of, the ministry saves in overall food costs and can be sure that what goes out is of use to the families being served.

Food resource for low-income families. Operates Monday – Friday from 10AM – 1PM.
Food. Fellowship. Family.

These three words embody the service provided through the CareNet Soup Cafe. Lunch is served weekly (M-F) 10am-1pm for guests visiting CareNet for assistance. The Cafe serves those who are homeless, five days a week.
Federal program through the USDA that helps supplement the diets of low-income Americans, including elderly people, by providing them with emergency food and nutrition assistance at no cost. Must meet income eligibility requirements.
Gently used clothing, shoes, household items and educational resources provided based on availability of resources.
Financial assistance is 100% based on fund availability. This limited funding, when available, comes from grants awarded to CareNet which are designated for specific purposes. All requests for financial assistance are by appointment only (Mondays and Thursdays). If funds are available, assistance may be provided for utility disconnects, fuel, prescriptions and rent on an emergency basis. No money is distributed to clients; vendors are paid directly.

Intake Process

The brief intake/interview process is the initial meeting with the client during which our team of volunteers gather information to address the client’s immediate needs to encourage his/her engagement and retention in services.

This initial meeting may also be used to provide our volunteers and staff with an opportunity to screen clients to determine if there are any other needs outside of our immediate support services, for which we may be able to provide referrals to other agencies and services or develop in-house programs to better meet the needs of those we serve.

Brief Intake/Interview documentation includes, but is not limited to the following:

Immediate need for assistance
Contact and identifying information (name, address, phone, birth date, etc.) – proof of residence in Macon County required
Demographics
Spouse/Partner/Roommate information (if applicable)
Household members (dependents)
Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/Food Stamps) – Current Household Benefits

Brief overview of status and needs regarding CareNet programs/services

Food
Clothing/Shoes – CareNet Thrift Store voucher provided for households (once every 3 months)
Financial Appointments (Monday’s and Thursday’s) – Utility notice must be in disconnect status to be eligible for scheduling a financial appointment
Referrals to partner agencies and/or community programs and resources

Household is assessed for program eligibility based on the U.S. Federal Poverty Guidelines published by the Department of Health and Human Services

What to Expect?

When you arrive, our friendly and dedicated staff of volunteers will ask you to fill out a basic form that provides proof of residency in Macon County, as we are a locally funded resource serving residents of Macon County exclusively.

Please be prepared to provide a photo ID, as well as, proof of residence in Macon County (such as a utility bill)
Clients should expect confidentiality and one-on-one attention. The average visit time for food assistance is 30 minutes, which includes wait time to be interviewed (please note: times may vary based on the number of clients requesting assistance for the day, as well as, individual case requests that require further attention and support)
For food assistance, you are not required to show proof of income; however, for requests for Financial Appointments proof of income will be required

We believe your budget shouldn’t be a barrier to providing food for you and your family. Our friendly staff are here to give you FREE food help – whether it’s assistance in our CareNet Client Choice Pantry, referrals for applying for government programs (TEFAP, SNAP) or providing in-house nutrition/dietary cooking classes we are here to serve our neighbors in need by providing food and nurturing hope!

Hours of Support:

Monday – Friday: 10:00AM – 1:00PM

What to Bring:

Proof of Identity: Current NC Driver’s License or NC Photo ID or Passport.
Proof of Residency: Utility bill showing Macon County address.
Proof of Existence: Social Security cards for all members of household.
Proof Income: Paycheck stub, Unemployment Letter or Disability Statement for all adults in household.
Proof of Expenses: Mortgage Statement, Rental Agreement (Lease), Utility/Phone Bills.