It’s Giving Tuesday. Here’s where you can donate + volunteer in Charlotte
Giving Tuesday is here, marking the global day of generosity that encourages people to support their communities in meaningful ways.
The annual event, held on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, highlights charitable giving of all kinds, from donating money to volunteering time or sharing goods with neighbors in need.
In the Charlotte area, one of the most impactful ways to give back is by supporting local food banks and pantries that help families facing food insecurity. Whether you want to drop off canned goods, make an online donation or lend a hand sorting supplies, there are plenty of ways to get involved.
Below is a list of food banks and community organizations in Charlotte that welcome support this Giving Tuesday and throughout the year.
Care Ring Food Pantry
- Where: 1514 N. Graham Street, Charlotte, NC 28206
- Hours: Mondays 10 a.m.-noon
- What they accept: Non-perishable healthy staples like brown rice, quinoa, canned beans, nuts, seeds, whole grain cereals, canned fish, low-sodium canned vegetables, canned fruits, olive oil and cooking spray.
- How to volunteer: Volunteer opportunities include assisting with unloading food pantry deliveries, sorting, inspecting, and stocking nonperishable items and fresh produce. Register online.
Hearts and Hands Food Pantry
- Where: 4040 Chesapeake Dr., Charlotte, NC 28216
- Hours: Tuesdays 2-5:30 p.m., Wednesday through Friday noon-3 p.m.
- What they accept: Needs include baby wipes, body wash, canned fruit, canned soup, cereal, coffee, dry beans, diapers, dog food, lotion, oatmeal, toothpaste and deodorant.
- How to volunteer: Volunteer opportunities include assisting with food distribution, pantry operations and home deliveries. Those interested in volunteering can apply here.
Hope Street Food Pantry
- Where: 4100 Johnston Oehler Road, Charlotte, NC 28269
- Hours: Tuesdays 10:30-11:30 a.m and Thursdays 4-7 p.m.
- What they accept: Non-perishable food items such as canned beans, tuna, fruit, mac and cheese, oatmeal, rice, pasta, canned vegetables, pasta sauce and soup.
- How to volunteer: Volunteer opportunities include sorting and distributing food to clients. Register online.
Jamil Niner Student Pantry – UNC Charlotte
- Where: 1224 John Kirk Dr., Charlotte, NC 28262
- Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Wednesdays 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
- What they accept: Non-perishable food items such as canned goods, pasta, rice and snacks.
- How to volunteer: Volunteer opportunities include assisting with pantry operations and supporting students in need. UNC Charlotte students can sign up for volunteer shifts on the Niner Engage events page. Non-students can email ninerpantry@charlotte.edu for volunteer opportunities.
Reeder Memorial Baptist Church Food Pantry
- Where: 3725 Beatties Ford Rd., Charlotte, NC 28216
- Hours: Tuesdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Thursdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3-5:30 p.m.
- What they accept: Non-perishable food items and personal hygiene products.
- How to volunteer: Volunteer opportunities include assisting with pantry operations and supporting families in need. Those interested in volunteering can fill out an application here.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina
- Where: 500-B Spratt St., Charlotte, NC 28206
- Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
- What they accept: Donations of non-perishable food items, fresh produce and monetary contributions.
- How to volunteer: Volunteer opportunities include sorting and distributing food to clients. Register online.
Other ways to give back in Charlotte
Here are a few local places participating in Giving Tuesday:
- At Old Town Kitchen and Cocktails, 10 percent of sales go to Children’s Attention Home.
- If you donate $25 or more to Levine Museum’s Giving Tuesday Campaign, you’ll be entered to win a prize pack
- The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation is matching all gifts to The Humane Society of Charlotte, up to $156,000.
- The Light The World Giving Machine has returned and will be here until Dec. 7. This year, the “vending machine for good” is inside Carolina Place Mall.
Should I donate money or food?
While food donations are helpful, donating money to food banks can often make a bigger impact, because:
- Financial contributions let food banks leverage their buying power. According to Feeding America, they can purchase large volumes of food at wholesale prices and cover essential costs like transportation, storage, staffing and other things individual food donations can’t always help with.
- Money offers flexibility. In North Carolina, for example, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina reports that every dollar donated translates into “about 7 pounds of food.”
- Cash helps fill gaps that food drives often miss, such as fresh produce, proteins, and seasonal items, while avoiding the extra costs and logistics food banks face when sorting and storing donated goods. According to the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, only 3.4% of surplus food in the state is donated, underscoring how vital financial support is.
Evan Moore
The Charlotte Observer