Food Pantry

Types of Food & Supplies Available
We have all sorts of items that we receive through our donation and food networks, and the variety is always changing. We stock shelf-stable foods in bottles, bags, boxes & cans, as well as fresh and frozen items such as breads, meats, cheeses, milk and eggs. Fruits and vegetables can change from week to week, and season to season. Items like personal hygiene products, baby items, and other supplies are also available.
Call ahead!
We have limited parking so we ask that you call ahead at 828-682-7251 and reserve a time to come in so that we can get you in and out quickly and efficiently. We ask a few simple questions which takes about a minute, but helps us to better plan to serve you.
Pantry hours
Our food pantry hours are Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 9am until noon. During your time slot, please enter at our Avery Street entrance (with the 3 garage doors, shown in the photo here).
Three ways to get food
1. We offer a pre-packed box brought to your car,
2. Neighbor choice, where you come in and shop off the shelves,
3. Go to OrderAhead.org and select your items and they will be ready for you to pick up at your appointed time.
How often can I come for food?
You can come in and get food every two weeks or monthly.
Can someone pick up for me?
Yes! If you are unable to come during these hours, you can send a family member or neighbor to pick up for you. Just let us know when you call to reserve your time slot. We will ask you to fill out a short "Proxy Form" so that we know who can pick up for you.
Reconciliation House serves the community by providing our clients with food boxes as they work to make ends meet in other aspects of their lives due to employers reducing scheduled work hours, low wages, low fixed income, and cuts in the food stamp program, We are seeing an increasing need from families as they struggle to sustain themselves each month. In 2024 we provided 4,775 food boxes. In addition to clients' choice of packaged foods, we offer their choice of fresh produce, eggs, bread, and frozen meats. Our food ministry tackles community needs not being addressed by other agencies.
Families also struggle with food during the summer when children are home during the school break. Over 50% of the children in the Yancey school system are on "free" and "reduced" school meals. Each summer from 2016 to 2024, we have partnered with PATH, Dig In Yancey community garden, TRACTOR program of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Yancey County, and Yancey Transportation to help feed 100 families with children through a Summer Food program. We make 6 deliveries to the children's homes with boxes with nonperishable food items, fresh locally grown produce, a children's book, and a copy of Good and Cheap: Eat Well on $4/Day.
Our Impact
Since 1983 we have helped a large portion of the community that has fallen on hard times. Building on this experience, Reconciliation House continues to improve and increase its benefit to the community.
Reconciliation House works with local churches and other local organizations including: Dig In! Yancey Community Garden, TRACTOR food and farms, NC Cooperative Extension Yancey County, PATH (Partners Aligned Towards Heath), Thrive Appalachia, First Baptist Community Garden, local farmers, and individual gardeners to efficiently coordinate this hunger relief effort.
With over 70 rotating volunteers serving over 600 hours of service a month, we have the manpower to distribute food to those in need in the community. This is a great example of community helping community.
Testimonials
We recently had a client come to us for food. She had recently been hospitalized and unable to work for three days. She said:
"I make minimum wage, I already have a hard time making ends meet. I can’t afford to miss any days of work. If I don’t work, I don’t get paid."
Another client recently came to volunteer and help pack food boxes for the children’s summer food program. She said:
"You have helped me so often, it is great to be able to help back."
This summer we have had hundreds of pounds of produce donated by local farmers, community gardens, and home gardeners. There have been many happy faces when we hand them a grocery bag and tell them:
“take as much as your family can use”.