What is a Choice Pantry?
CORA’s food pantries provide free, nutritious groceries to anyone in need of food.
Families receive a week’s worth of groceries (about 21 meals per family member) at each visit to the pantry. Families may visit a CORA food pantry two times per month.
CORA’s food pantries look similar to a grocery store. You will get a shopping cart and be able to select the foods your family needs. We offer fresh produce, canned foods, rice, pasta, cereal, bread, frozen and refrigerated foods, proteins, and more.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Check In
You do not need a referral to visit CORA. The information that you share is confidential. You do not need to bring documentation.
When you check in at your first visit, we will ask for:
- Name and contact information
- Date of birth
- Basic demographic information (race/ethnicity and gender)
- Food allergies and dietary needs
- Number of household members and their names, birth dates, and relationship to you
- Household income and SNAP/EBT use
We only ask for household income and SNAP/EBT use to help you enroll in federal food assistance programs. There is no income level requirement for CORA’s food pantry.
After your first visit, you will receive a CORA card to bring with you each time.
Waiting Area and Children's Area
CORA has a lobby where you can sit until your number is called to go into the pantry.
We have a children’s play area in the lobby. Children may each choose a free book from the shelf to take home at each visit, thanks to our partnership with Chatham Reads. When it is your turn to go into the pantry, you must bring your children with you.
The Pantry
When your number is called, a volunteer will welcome you into the pantry, give you a shopping cart, and guide you through the pantry as you select the items you need.
Loading Groceries into your Car
After you select your groceries, you will pull your car around to the side of the building. Volunteers will bring your cart of groceries and help load them into your car.
About Drive-Thru on Fridays at the Pittsboro Pantry
From 10 am – 12 pm on Fridays, CORA’s Pittsboro pantry offers drive-through service. Instead of coming inside, you will stay in line in your car and we will bring a variety of groceries out to your car.
Grocery Delivery
CORA offers home delivery for some Chatham County residents who face barriers such as medical conditions, disabilities, or lack of transportation. Availability for this program is limited.
To learn more, contact Program Manager, Daisey Samayoa, at 919-299-0037 or [email protected].
