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Assistance Programs in Fayetteville and Cumberland County, NC — Food, Rent, Utilities, and Emergency Help
Cumberland County, including the city of, has a wide network of nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and government programs that help residents in financial crisis. They may provide food, emergency help with bills or housing costs and more. Option range from Action Pathways — the county’s federally funded community action agency — to small church-based ministries that operate food pantries and help with emergency expenses. This page lists verified organizations across the county, with phone numbers and addresses, so you know exactly who to call and where to go.
Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg) also means that many programs here are experienced with military families, veterans, and the communities that form around a major military installation. Some of the leading organizations include the following.
Action Pathways (the former Cumberland Community Action Program) is often the right first call for utility help, weatherization, and food bank referrals. Catholic Charities covers food, baby items, and immigration assistance from its Ramsey Street office. Fayetteville Urban Ministry — serving the county since 1974 — provides home repairs, adult literacy, emergency food and clothing, and youth mentoring, all at no cost. The Salvation Army’s Sandhills Corps handles emergency financial requests, a year-round shelter, and seasonal programs for families and children.
Quick Reference — Start Here
- Action Pathways (utilities, food, weatherization): (910) 485-6131
- Catholic Charities Fayetteville (food, immigration, counseling): (910) 424-2020 ext. 2601
- Fayetteville Urban Ministry (emergency assistance, home repairs): (910) 483-5944
- Salvation Army Sandhills (emergency aid, shelter): (910) 483-8119
- Cumberland County DSS (SNAP, Medicaid, cash assistance): (910) 323-1540
- Legal Aid of NC — Fayetteville (free legal help): (910) 483-0400
- CARE Clinic (free medical care for uninsured adults): (910) 485-0555
- Connections of Cumberland County (women’s day resource center): (910) 630-0106
- Housing crisis / coordinated entry: (910) 483-6869
- 2-1-1: Dial 2-1-1 for live referrals to local programs and services in Cumberland County — free, confidential, and available around the clock.
For additional local resources beyond this page:
- More food options: The Fayetteville food pantries and free meals page lists churches, pantries, soup kitchens, and commodity distribution programs throughout the county.
- More rent help: The Fayetteville rent assistance page covers additional eviction prevention, security deposit help, and emergency rental programs.
- Holiday assistance: The Cumberland County holiday assistance page lists Christmas, Thanksgiving, and other seasonal programs for families and children.
- Public assistance programs: The Cumberland County DSS public assistance page covers SNAP, Medicaid, Work First, and other government benefit programs in detail.
Community Action & Government Programs
Start here if you are not sure where to turn. These are the two largest gateways to assistance in Cumberland County — one government, one nonprofit. Between them, they cover the broadest range of services.
Action Pathways - Est. 1964
Action Pathways is Cumberland County’s federally designated Community Action Agency, founded in 1964. It has operated under the name Action Pathways since rebranding from CCAP, but the mission and programs remain the same. It is the county’s primary gateway to federally funded low-income assistance and runs several distinct programs from its Campground Road campus:
- ASPIRE self-sufficiency program: Case management, job training, and financial coaching for low-income individuals and families working toward independence. Call (910) 223-0116.
- Weatherization Assistance Program: Free home energy efficiency improvements for eligible low-income homeowners and renters. This can include insulation, heating system upgrades, and air sealing. Call (910) 223-0116.
- Head Start: Free early childhood education and family support for income-qualifying families with young children. Call (910) 487-9800 for enrollment information.
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast NC: The county’s regional food distribution hub, operated by Action Pathways. Located separately at 406 Deep Creek Road, Fayetteville, NC 28312. Call (910) 485-6923. The food bank supplies partner agencies and pantries throughout the county; it does not generally distribute food directly to households, but staff can point you to the nearest participating pantry.
- Consumer Credit Counseling Services (CCCS): Free and low-cost financial counseling, debt management help, and housing counseling, including foreclosure prevention advice. Part of Action Pathways and reached through the main number.
Contact: (910) 485-6131 | 4525 Campground Road, Fayetteville, NC 28314. https://actionpathways.ngo/. As noted, they also operate Second Harvest Food Bank: (910) 485-6923 | 406 Deep Creek Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28312 | https://hungercantwait.org/.
Cumberland County Department of Social Services (DSS)
Cumberland County DSS is the local office for state and federal benefit programs. If you need food stamps, Medicaid, or cash assistance, this is where you start. Staff can take applications, explain eligibility, and connect you to other county resources. Programs administered through DSS include:
- Food and Nutrition Services (SNAP / food stamps)
- Medicaid and NC Health Choice for low-income adults and children
- Work First cash assistance for families in crisis
- Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) for emergency utility help
- Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services
- Energy assistance referrals and LIHEAP coordination
A second service point is located at the Spring Lake Family Resource Center, 103 Laketree Boulevard, Spring Lake, NC 28390, for residents in the northern part of the county. Contact: (910) 323-1540 | 1225 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301. Website https://www.cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/dss-group/department-of-social-services.
Emergency Financial & Crisis Assistance
These organizations help when something unexpected hits — an overdue utility bill, a threat of eviction, a week without groceries. Most require that you call ahead and meet basic eligibility criteria, and funds are limited. Call early in the month when possible, as many programs exhaust funding before month’s end.
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh — Fayetteville Est. 1981
The Fayetteville office of Catholic Charities has served Cumberland County and surrounding areas since 1981. It helps everyone regardless of religion or immigration status. Services offered at the Ramsey Street location include:
- Food Pantry: Curbside food pickup for residents facing hunger. Available on a regular weekday schedule; call to confirm current days and schedule.
- Marie’s Baby Closet: Free diapers, baby clothing (newborn through 5T), formula, baby food, blankets, and infant supplies for families with young children.
- Immigration Legal Services: DOJ-accredited representatives help with citizenship applications, family petitions, DACA renewals, VAWA cases, work permits, and other immigration processes. A consultation fee applies; call for details
- Clinical Counseling: Sliding-scale mental health counseling for individuals, couples, and families dealing with stress, depression, grief, or relationship difficulties. Available in person and by phone/video.
The Fayetteville office also covers Hoke, Harnett, Lee, Moore, Robeson, Sampson, and Scotland counties for immigration and counseling services. Contact (910) 424-2020 ext. 2601 | 726 Ramsey St., Suites 10 & 11, Fayetteville, NC 28301. https://www.catholiccharitiesraleigh.org/
The Salvation Army — Fayetteville Sandhills Region
The Salvation Army operates a full social services corps in Fayetteville that has served the Sandhills region for decades. This is one of the busier Salvation Army locations in eastern North Carolina, partly due to the volume of military and veteran families in the area. Services include:
- Emergency assistance: Limited help with rent, utilities, and other immediate needs. Availability depends on current funding; call before visiting.
- Emergency homeless shelter: Located at 245 Alexander Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301. The shelter accepts residents as space opens up. Meals are served daily; call ahead to check current availability and intake process.
- Food assistance: A food pantry and soup kitchen serve individuals and families. Call the corps for current distribution days.
- Holiday programs: Angel Tree, Project People Who Care (utility assistance during hot and cold weather), and Adopt-a-Family programs serve low-income families and seniors. Military families and those serving overseas are included.
- Thrift store: Located at 433 Robeson St., Fayetteville, NC 28301. Call (910) 764-1041 for hours.
Contact: (910) 483-8119 | 220 E Russell Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301. https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/nc/fayetteville/.
Fayetteville Urban Ministry (FUM) Est. 1974
Fayetteville Urban Ministry has operated continuously since 1974, starting in a basement and growing into one of the county’s most versatile nonprofits. Everything FUM offers is free of charge. Its four core programs address different types of hardship:
- Emergency Assistance: A food pantry, clothing closet, and limited financial help for families in crisis. This is not a loan program. Call ext. 206 or 207 to apply.
- Nehemiah Project: Free home repairs and improvements for low-to-moderate income homeowners. This includes structural and safety repairs done by vetted contractors. Homeowners apply; renters do not qualify.
- Adult Literacy & Education Center (ALEC): Free tutoring to help adults improve reading, writing, and basic skills that can open doors to employment and better wages.
- Find-A-Friend: A youth mentoring program that pairs young people with volunteer mentors. A summer achievement camp runs during school breaks.
- FUM does not have a shelter on site. It provides emergency assistance, not cash loans.
Contact: (910) 483-5944 | 701 Whitfield Street, Fayetteville, NC 28306. https://www.fayurbmin.org/
Operation Blessing of Fayetteville Est. 1982
Operation Blessing of Fayetteville is a local, independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit — not affiliated with Operation Blessing International — that has served Cumberland County since 1982. Through community donations, the organization maintains a food pantry, clothing closet, and household goods distribution. It also offers limited emergency financial assistance for qualified applicants facing genuine crises. A pregnancy resource center is on site as well, offering free pregnancy tests, counseling, and baby supplies.
Call ahead before visiting to confirm availability and current intake hours. Contact: (910) 483-1119 | 1337 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301. https://operationblessingfayetteville.com/
ALMS House Inc. — Hope Mills Est. 1984
The ALMS House (Associated Local Ministries in Service) has been rooted in the Hope Mills community since 1984, founded by local congregations that joined together to meet the needs of their neighbors. Though based in Hope Mills, it serves residents throughout Cumberland County. The ALMS House is also an access point for the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Continuum of Care, meaning staff can help connect clients to broader housing and shelter resources. Programs include a food pantry, clothing closet, household goods distribution, daily meals (Love Lunches), limited utility and financial assistance, and the Kids Assistance Program, which provides weekend food bags to children through school social workers. A thrift store operates separately at 5536 Patterson Street, Hope Mills. Contact: (910) 425-0902 | 3909 Ellison Street, Hope Mills, NC 28348. https://almshousehopemills.com/
Housing Assistance & Shelter
If you are facing eviction or homelessness, or are already without a stable place to live, start with the Coordinated Entry line at (910) 483-6869. This single number connects you with multiple housing agencies through the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Continuum of Care, which coordinates shelter access, rapid rehousing funds, and housing case management across the county.
Connections of Cumberland County
Connections of Cumberland County operates the only walk-in day resource center in Fayetteville that specifically serves single women and women with children who are homeless or at risk of losing housing. The center brings together case managers and community partner services in one accessible location. If you are a woman without stable housing, this is a critical first stop.
New clients are assessed on a walk-in basis on select weekday mornings — no appointment needed, but space is first-come, first-served. Current clients can use the computer lab, hygiene closet, mail service, and luggage storage on a broader schedule. Call before visiting to confirm current intake hours. Contact (910) 630-0106 | 119 N. Cool Spring Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301. https://www.connectionsofcc.org/
Food Assistance
See also: Catholic Charities, Fayetteville Urban Ministry, Operation Blessing, Salvation Army, and ALMS House, all listed above, which operate food pantries and meal programs in addition to other services. The organizations below focus primarily on food distribution.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast NC
The Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast NC is the regional food distribution hub for Cumberland and surrounding counties, operated by Action Pathways. It sources and distributes food to partner pantries, soup kitchens, and nonprofit agencies throughout the area. It does not generally distribute food directly to individuals, but it is the organization that keeps most of the county’s pantries stocked. If you are looking for a nearby pantry, staff can provide referrals. The food bank also administers USDA commodity programs and the Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP). Contact: (910) 485-6923 | 406 Deep Creek Road, Fayetteville, NC 28312. https://hungercantwait.org/
Senior Services
Cumberland County Council on Older Adults Est. 1968
The Cumberland County Council on Older Adults has served county seniors since 1968. All services are free to residents aged 60 and older, as well as their caregivers. The Council is the county’s designated Area Agency on Aging, which means it is the starting point for most senior support programs in Cumberland County.
If you are an older adult struggling with transportation, isolation, hunger, or the cost of daily living, this organization can help connect you to what you need. Programs include Meals on Wheels (home-delivered meals), congregate lunch sites at senior centers across the county, caregiver support, Medicare and health insurance counseling (SHIIP), transportation assistance, and information and referral to other county resources. Services are free; some programs have income guidelines. Contact: (910) 484-0111 | 339 Devers Street, Fayetteville, NC 28303. https://www.ccccooa.org/
Health Care for Low-Income and Uninsured Residents
If you have health insurance through Medicaid or NC Health Choice, Cumberland County DSS (listed above) is where you apply. The organizations below serve residents who are uninsured or who lack the means to afford regular care.
Better Health of Cumberland County Est. 1958
Better Health has filled gaps in Cumberland County health care since 1958, when a local nurse noticed that patients who couldn’t afford prescriptions kept returning to the hospital with the same untreated conditions. The organization still exists to address what insurance and government programs leave behind. It serves Cumberland County residents only, and eligibility is based on income. Services include:
- Emergency prescription assistance for critical medications
- Dental referral assistance and dental extraction help
- Vision aid, including help toward the cost of eyeglasses
- Medical equipment loans (wheelchairs, canes, shower chairs, and similar items lent at no cost for a period of time)
Diabetes education and self-management clinics, open to all Cumberland County residents
Contact: (910) 483-7534 | 1422 Bragg Boulevard, Fayetteville, NC 28301. https://www.betterhealthcc.org/
The CARE Clinic Est. 1993
The CARE Clinic has provided free medical and dental care to uninsured, low-income adults in Cumberland County since 1993. It is run almost entirely by volunteer doctors, dentists, nurses, and pharmacists who donate their time. This is not a sliding-scale clinic — services are genuinely free to eligible patients. To receive care, you must be an adult (18 or older), live in Cumberland or a surrounding county, and be uninsured or unable to afford private care.
Clinics run on select evenings and weekend mornings during the week. The schedule varies; call ahead to learn when the next available clinic is and how to get an appointment. Services include basic medical care, dental extractions, laboratory tests, prescription medications ordered during a clinic visit, and referrals to specialists when needed. Chronic care (including diabetes management) and some specialty services are also available. Contact: (910) 485-0555 | 239 Robeson Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301. https://www.thecareclinic.org/
Free Legal Assistance
Legal Aid of North Carolina — Fayetteville Office
Legal Aid of North Carolina provides free civil legal help to low-income residents who cannot afford an attorney. The Fayetteville office serves Cumberland, Hoke, Robeson, Sampson, and Scotland counties. If you are facing an eviction you believe is wrongful, a landlord who won’t make repairs, a denial of public benefits you think you are entitled to, domestic violence, or discrimination, Legal Aid may be able to take your case or give you legal guidance.
To apply, call the statewide helpline or the local office number. Staff conduct phone intake and will tell you whether you qualify. You can also apply online through their website. Legal Aid does not handle criminal cases — only civil matters.
Contact: (910) 483-0400 (local) | (866) 219-5262 (statewide helpline). 327 Dick Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301. https://legalaidnc.org/
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