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Department of Psychiatry

Food Assistance Programs

Heat and Eat Mealstake out containers of food

Started in 2020 to alleviate the health and safety concerns caused by the pandemic, the CECMH created a series of community outreach services for mental and physical wellness. The Heat and Eat Meals program was one of these programs and it has continued to this day thanks to generous donations and community support.

The Heat and Eat Meals are pre-made, ready to heat and eat meals prepared by local restaurants. The meals are delivered weekly by Center team members to ensure the highest standard of food safety. Clients will receive nutritional meals for the next 10 weeks so that they can avoid crowded food pantries and soup kitchens. In addition, they will also receive fresh fruits and vegetables as available from the Farm at Penny Lane.

Criteria for participation

  • Must have at least 2 health risk factors
  • Live in Chatham, Orange, or Wake Counties
  • Be a client of the UNC Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health

Community Food Pantries

REACH Community Cabinet

The REACH Community Cabinet supports all visitors to the primary care clinic and co-located services with basic needs distribution. Launched by a DIVE-IN grant in January 2023, the Cabinet served over 170 individuals through more than 440 Cabinet visits and distributed over 2800 food, hygiene, and household items in its first year. The Community Cabinet is stocked with non-perishable items as well as seasonal distribution of fresh produce from UNC’s Farm at Penny Lane and other local farms.

UNC REACH is a Food Is Medicine healthcare partner agency of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. This partnership supports the long-term sustainability of the Community Cabinet as well as increases the volume and range of non-perishable, fresh, and frozen food items available for distribution. The clinic can also offer medically specialized meal boxes and commonly requested household items such as laundry detergent, thanks to a $5600 seed fund from the Food Bank’s bulk product purchase program.

Location: REACH Office: 401 E. Whitaker Mill Road, Raleigh, NC, 27608

Support the Community Cabinet

If you would like to make a direct contribution to the Community Cabinet, you can browse the Amazon wishlist to help fill gaps in product and meet special item requests. All donations are welcome!

CORA Food Pantry

Approximately 14% of the population in Chatham County live at or below the poverty level ($24,600/year for a family of 4). The CECMH’s Farm at Penny Lane has partnered with CORA (Chatham Outreach Alliance) to help meet food insecurity needs for families making $49,200/year for a family of four. CORA operates under USDA Food and Nutrition Services Eligibility Guidelines.

Criteria for participation

  • Participants are Chatham County residents, although temporary support is provided.
  • At each pantry visit families and individuals receive a week’s worth of food for every family member.
  • Each family or individual is eligible for 6 visits in 12 months.
  • The Pantry will help those who need more food get some basics.
  • CORA has easy long term store items, e.g. canned goods.
  • Frozen food, dairy, eggs and produce are sometimes available
  • CORA strives for Nutritionally balanced foods.
  • The Pantry is organized like a grocery store so visitors can shop with a volunteer.

Locations: UNC Farm at Penny Lane Campus: 263 Penny Lane, Pittsboro, NC, 27312 and  Wake ACT Team Office: 401 E. Whitaker Mill Road, Raleigh, NC, 27608

Support the Food Pantry

Product Donations

  • 50% of CORA’s food is donated
  • CORA accepts shelf stable donations— canned fruit/vegetables, boxed cereals, rice, pasta, baking mix and shelf-stable specialty items (drink mix, coffee, tea, pancake mix, condiments, herbs and spices, ethnic foods, other pantry staples), etc.
  • CORA accept paper products – especially bathroom tissue and paper towels – and some personal hygiene items like toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, soap, disposable razors, etc.

Monetary Donations