CORA’s pantry is set up like a grocery store for choice shopping, and community members choose the food that matches their preferences and needs. Our community members have assorted options when selecting their groceries, from local fresh produce, meats, dairy, bakery items, and shelf-stable staples, to personal hygiene items. Choice food pantries are essential because they address food insecurity, promote dignity and empowerment, offer nutritional variety, engage the community, and provide educational opportunities. By adopting a choice-based approach, CORA contributes to a more inclusive and equitable food system while supporting the well-being of individuals and families in need.
Hours:
Hours:
Operations will be drive-thru only for the first 4-6 weeks due to renovations. Choice shopping in the pantry will be open once renovations are complete. Check website for updates.
CORA provides free, nutritious food to individuals and families in need through our choice food pantry, open Monday through Thursday. Our pantry is set up like a grocery store, allowing you to choose items that best fit your needs and preferences.
On Fridays, we offer drive-through service, distributing pre-packed bags with shelf-stable items (such as canned goods, rice, pasta, and cereal), along with fresh produce, bakery items, milk, eggs, and meat when available.
Families may visit the pantry twice per month. If additional support is needed, please reach out—we’re here to help.
CORA offers limited home delivery for Chatham County residents who face barriers such as medical conditions, disabilities, or lack of transportation.
To learn more, contact Mackie Hunter at mackie@corafoodpantry.org.
No referral is needed. We keep the process simple, respectful, and confidential. All information is self-reported—no documentation required.
We’ll ask for:
Name and basic contact info
Date of birth
Gender and race/ethnicity
Food allergies or dietary needs
Household income and SNAP/EBT use (for federal program eligibility)
We’ll also collect the names, birthdates, and relationships of household members.
After your first visit, you’ll receive a CORA card to bring with you each time. Your information stays private and helps us improve services and meet reporting requirements.
CORA has created a space that empowers community members to adopt healthy eating strategies. We utilize the SWAP (Supporting Wellness at Pantries) system, which is a stoplight nutrition ranking tool designed to promote healthy food choices. This system categorizes foods based on their levels of saturated fat, sodium, and sugar, ranking them into three groups: green (choose frequently), yellow (choose sometimes), and red (choose rarely). Additionally, our volunteers are trained to educate community members on making informed choices through ersonal conversations.
CORA does not turn away usable donations. Most things that we cannot or do not distribute to the public are passed forward to other organizations that need them. When food is not safe for humans, most times we donate it to animal rescue groups.
Our partnership with Chatham Reads provides free books to children. When families come through our pantry, they can take one book home for each child at each visit.
