CARE Resource Center: A Safe Place for All

UNC Pembroke offers many resources for students, staff and even the community. One in particular is the CARE Resource Center, ran by the Office for Community and Civic Engagement. It includes an on-campus food pantry and professional clothing closet. The resource center was created to help address food insecurity and poverty on campus and in the local community. The food pantry and professional clothing closet are operated through donations from community partners and academic/administrative departments of the university. Students are welcome to visit the pantry twice per month, while faculty and staff may only visit once per month. Community members who wish to receive food services are required to attend monthly educational workshops focused on life and career development skills. Upon completion of each workshop, participants will be awarded a CARE Resource voucher that can be used at the food pantry once every two months. The Office for Community and Civic Engagement (CCE) supports the university’s mission to develop responsible citizenship through education opportunities that provide service to neighboring communities. The efforts of CCE encourage students to become active and engaged citizens while at UNCP and after graduation. CCE’s mission relies heavily on the support of private donations that are used to not only support the CARE Resource Center, but also the Academic Service Learning Program, the Alternate Break trips, and other service opportunities. The CARE Resource Center is primarily managed by student workers and volunteers. Volunteer opportunities at the resource center include stocking and organizing the food pantry, organizing the professional clothing closet, and sorting through donated goods. The goal of the CARE Resource Center is to be a central, safe location for UNCP students, staff, faculty and community members to come and receive aid towards their clothing, food and educational needs. It is located in Wellons Hall, Suite C and is operated on Mondays from 9 a.m. to noon, Tuesdays from 1 to 6 p.m., Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays from 1 to 6 p.m., and Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information or inquires, the CARE center can be reached by email at care@uncp.edu, or by phone at 910.775.4367.