Cape Fear Region

Visit Us

4280 US Highway 421 N. Suite 110
Wilmington, NC 28401

Directions

Call Us

910-251-8130

Office Hours

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Counties Served

Bladen
Brunswick
Columbus
New Hanover
Pender

Our Programs

Disaster Services

The Catholic Charities Disaster Services Program works to help individuals, families, and the community prepare for and recover from natural disasters. Catholic Charities focuses on the response, recovery, and preparedness phases of the disaster cycle.

While there is no controlling who is impacted by a disaster, economically vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected. When local resources are overwhelmed by a natural disaster, Catholic Charities is ready to respond to the needs of survivors.

**Important Announcement: Hurricane Florence Relief Program Update**

Since Hurricane Florence devastated our area in September 2018, Catholic Charities has been working tirelessly to help families rebuild their lives through the distribution of financial assistance, support through disaster case management, and completing home repairs. This was made possible due to the generosity and support of countless donors and foundations.

Over five years after the flooding has receded, we will begin to close-out our Hurricane Florence Recovery program as we utilize the last of the funds available. While we wish we could continue accepting referrals, we have reached our capacity to accommodate additional cases. As of March 1, 2024, we will no longer be accepting referrals for the Hurricane Florence Relief Program.

For those who have already submitted referrals or are currently receiving assistance, rest assured that our team remains dedicated to supporting you until your needs are met to the best of our ability.

Catholic Charities will continue to be active in preparing the community for the next storm and stands ready to respond again when needed.

Disaster Case Management

Disaster Case Management is available to assist eligible families recovering from Hurricane Florence. To receive assistance, please schedule an appointment by contacting the Cape Fear Regional Office at their mainline, 910-251-8130.

NC Catholics Volunteer

NC Catholics Volunteer provides the opportunity for volunteers to help repair homes damaged by Hurricane Florence.

Individuals looking for assistance in repairing their home should contact Vickie, Disaster Specialist, at Vickie.Sasser@ccharitiesdor.org or by phone at 910-251-8130 Ext. 2706.
Volunteers from across the Cape Fear Region are welcome to participate in single day trips and volunteers from across the country are welcome to participate in week-long trips. Catholic Charities has housing facilities for work teams staying overnight. All participants in overnight trips must be 18+. For single day opportunities, please visit the NC Catholics Volunteer page. To coordinate a week-long trip please contact Vickie, Disaster Specialist, at Vickie.Sasser@ccharitiesdor.org or by phone at 910-251-8130 Ext. 2706.

Whiteville United Methodist Church
902 Pinckney St
Whiteville, NC 28472

Directions

Looking for ways to support our office? Check out our Amazon Wishlist!

Disaster Supplies

Food Pantry

Food Pantry Services

Hunger in our communities is an issue that far too many families are experiencing. A lack of nutritious meals can have long lasting effects on the physical, mental, and social well-being of all members of a family.

Catholic Charities Food Pantry Services are dedicated to providing healthy meals, increasing access to food, and developing innovative solutions to address food insecurity in a collaborative way.

With dignity and respect at the forefront of all interactions, families are offered a hand up during their most challenging times. In addition to feeding our neighbors, Catholic Charities Food Pantry Services serve as a medium for volunteerism, community engagement, and collaboration.

Client Choice Food Pantry (Wilmington)

Tuesday and Friday only, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Located at the Wilmington office

Individuals or families in need may come to the food pantry once every 30 days to receive a 3 – 4 day supply of groceries.

The Cape Fear office has transitioned to a Client Choice Pantry, allowing clients to select their own food instead of receiving a pre-packed or standard bag of groceries. Our client choice food pantry resembles a small grocery stores, with products arrayed on shelves and in coolers/freezers, from which clients can fill boxes or bags.
The Client Choice model allows our clients to shop with a Personal Shopping Assistant to help them create meals that are nutritious and healthy, while being respectful of the needs of each individual family. As a healthy pantry partner with the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina we are proud to provide recipes, healthy eating flyers, and more! This service is available once every 30 calendar days.

Mobile Food Pantry

The Cape Fear office operates mobile food pantry events to bring groceries into the community to increase access for individuals who face barriers in traveling to the food pantry location. A calendar of distributions and locations can be found below.

Download the Monthly Calendar

Immigration Services

Immigration Legal Services

For over 25 years, the Catholic Charities Immigration Legal Services have assisted families in completing various immigration related processes.

Individuals and families who qualify meet with Catholic Charities immigration staff who are accredited by the Department of Justice. Through one-on-one meetings, staff provide education on the immigration process and assist in the completion and submission of applications with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Services

The services below are provided at a minimum cost. Services and appointments will be conducted by phone, email or virtually only with limited in person appointments.

Community Educational Presentations and Workshops
Citizenship
Family Petitions
Adjustment of Status
Temporarily Protected Status (TPS)
Consular Processing
U-Visas (For Victims of serious crimes)
VAWA (For victims of domestic violence)
Work Permits
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Renewals
- USCIS strongly encourages you to submit your DACA Renewal request between 150 days and 120 days before the expiration date located on your current Form I-797 (Work Authorization Card).

Consultation Payment & Online Intake

Catholic Charities offers the ability for potential immigration clients to complete their intake online. Steps to complete the online intake:

Use the link below to pay the $50 consultation fee.
Following payment, you will be directed to the online intake which you will complete and submit.
Once your information is entered, one of our Immigration Accredited Representatives will contact you to evaluate your case and make an appointment with you.

Before you continue, please review the following questions:

Are you seeking Political Asylum?
Do you have a court date pending, and need representation?
Do you reside outside the state of North Carolina?
Do you have a criminal record, felony, significant misdemeanors or three or more non-significant misdemeanors?

If you answer "Yes" to one or more of these questions, DO NOT proceed, Catholic Charities will not be able to assist you in your case.

Click Here to Start Your Intake

Online Payment

Individuals who are established clients have the ability to pay their Catholic Charities related fees online. Use the link below to access the payment page.

Click Here to Complete Your Immigration Payment

Catholic Charities recognizes the imbalances in access, opportunities, and resources that exist within our immigrant community. Immigration Legal Services are structured to attract all immigrants regardless of place of origin, culture, religion, or economic status. The goal is to provide help and create hope for immigrants as they establish their lives in the United States

Harrelson Center
20 N. 4th Street Suite 450 – E
Wilmington, NC 28401

Directions

Emergency Utility

Emergency Utility Assistance

Assistance is available to low and moderate income families. Funds are used to help families pay their utility bills as a means to prevent homelessness.

To access this service, call 910-251-8130 Ext. 2702 to make an appointment with a case manager.
Due to limited resources, all individuals and families are screened and must go through an intake process.
Please bring photo ID, copy of your bill, and proof of emergency at your time of appointment.

For Pender County Residents:

Residents of Pender County can access our services from our Wilmington office or at the Safe Haven Outreach Center once a week by appointment. Call 910-251-8130 Ext. 2702 to make an appointment.

Hours

Tuesdays and Fridays, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Household Items

Baby, Hygiene & Household Items

Diapers

Catholic Charities is a partner distribution site for the Diaper Bank of NC- Lower Cape Fear Branch.

Pick Up Hours: Tuesdays and Fridays 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Families can access 30-50 diapers once every 30 calendar days

We also carry infant and toddler diapering needs.

Clothes

Baby clothing sizes newborn to 24 months.
Families can shop in the baby room once every 60 days.

Other Baby Items

Availability based on donations.
Frequently in stock items include: formula, baby food, blankets, bouncy seats, toys, etc.

Adult Incontinence Supplies

Adult Diapers
Bed Pads
Incontinence Pads

Hygiene & Household Cleaning Items

Individuals and families can access these items once every 30 calendar days during emergency assistance hours.
Frequently in stock items include:
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Detergent
- Body Wash
- Hand Soap
- Toothbrushes
- Dishwasher Soap
- Toilet Paper
- Paper Towels
- Lotion
Call before you come to ensure we have what you need.

Looking for ways to support our office? Check out our Amazon Wishlist!

Healthy Opportunities (HOP)

Healthy Opportunities

IF YOU HAVE MEDICAID and...

Have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes, or another chronic issue?
Struggle with having enough food, or living in safe and affordable housing?
Or have problems driving or finding a ride, or feeling safe?

You may qualify for “HOP”

The Healthy Opportunities Program (HOP) – a free program using your Medicaid health plan for families who live in Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, Onslow, or Pender Counties.

Catholic Charities can help you learn more!

Online Screening

or call 910-251–8120

Clinical Counseling

Catholic Charities of the diocese of Raleigh provides professionally-trained clinical counseling services to individuals, couples, and families who:

Are experiencing emotional distress
Want to grow toward their full potential
Are experiencing difficulty dealing with stress, depression or anxiety
Desire increased skills to deal with life’s struggles
Desire healing from grief, loss or strained relationships
Behavioral dysregulation for children ages 3+

Counseling Services are provided from a perspective which recognizes the emotional, behavioral, cognitive, spiritual and physical aspects of an individuals’ healing or growth.

Services are $35 for uninsured or low income individuals/families. Services are available online or in person.

To schedule an appointment, contact Ruth DeVito at 984-238-2351 or by email at Ruth.DeVito@ccharitiesdor.org

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Volunteer & Donate

Catholic Charities relies on our community to give their time and talents to support our work throughout the year. Each year, over 3,000 individuals contribute over 50,000 volunteer hours across the Diocese of Raleigh and we would love to have you join this incredible team.

Interested in Volunteering? Our organization would not be possible without the support of our volunteers and we are so grateful for the impact they make in our community! Please tour with us before you volunteer to learn more about Catholic Charities!

Catholic Charities is seeking volunteers for the following Programs:

Food Pantry

Tuesday – Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Assisting Clients to Vehicles
Bagging Food
Offloading the box truck
Stocking the food pantry
Packing food boxes for distribution at mobile events
Acting as a personal shopping assistance for clients shopping the Healthy Client Choice Pantry
Bagging items after clients have finished shopping

Emergency Assistance Program

Tuesday – Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Interviewers: Complete client and family intakes. Must have good interpersonal skills and have basic computer skills. Requires dedication, reliability, and a sincere interest in helping individuals and their families in the Cape Fear region.
Donation pick-ups: Pick up locations include the Diaper Bank of the Lower Cape Fear and Costco. Must have reliable transportation.

Other Volunteer Needs

Wrapped With Love Toy Program (opportunities from October-December)
North Carolina Catholics Volunteer
Disaster Recovery
Event Committee/Planning
Graphic Design
Photography/Video

To find out how you can volunteer, please contact please contact Paulina Cordova Vergara via email at Paulina.Cordova.Vergara@ccharitiesdor.org

Donate

About Us

Catholic Charities welcomes individuals and families of all faiths or no faith tradition, living in the following counties to participate in services: Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, and Pender. The Cape Fear Office has served the community since 1979 and helps approximately 13,000 individuals each year through Disaster Services, Food Pantry Services, and Immigrations Legal Services.

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