Free and Discounted Essential Services for Those in Need in North Carolina

There are many free and discounted resources available for people in need in North Carolina. I am most familiar with the services available in my hometown of Raleigh, but I am including state-wide resources as well. Some of the available free and discounted services in North Carolina include the following:

Medical Services for those in need in North Carolina

The Urban Ministries Open Door Clinic provides free medical services to low-income individuals in the Raleigh area. Those seeking services must prove that they live in Wake County and that they have a household income at or less than 185% of Federal Poverty limits. The clinic's hours are by appointment only. Please call 919-832-0820 and leave a message for an appointment. Full pharmacy services are also available. The Urban Ministries Open Door Clinic is located at 1390 Capital Blvd. in Raleigh.

The North Carolina Association of Free Clinics provides free and low-cost medical services to low-income residents of North Carolina. There are currently 79 free clinics throughout the state of North Carolina. To see if there is a free clinic in your area, please visit www.ncfreeclinics.org.

Legal Services for those in need in North Carolina

Legal Aid of North Carolina provides free legal advice to low income individuals living throughout the state of North Carolina. Individuals seeking services must show that they have a household income at or less than 187.5% of Federal Poverty limits. Legal advice is provided on civil matters only, such as custody, unemployment benefits, bankruptcy, and landlord/tenant matters. To receive free legal advice, please contact Centralized Intake Unit of Legal Aid on their toll-free hotline at 1-866-219-5262. I am particularly passionate about this service because I work on this hotline!

Carolina Dispute Settlement Services provides discounted legal services in Raleigh, North Carolina. This organization specializes in custody and divorce issues but provides other services as well. There is an emphasis in resolving legal issues through mediation instead of going to trial. Fees are determined on a sliding scale based on income. For further information, please call (919) 755-4646. Carolina Dispute Settlement Services is located at 2300 Rexwoods Drive, Suite 120 in Raleigh.

Free meals for those in need in Raleigh, North Carolina

Shepherd's Table Soup Kitchen serves a hot lunch to anyone who is in need with no questions asked. Meals are served every weekday, Monday through Friday, from 11:00am until noon. The soup kitchen is run by a group of parishioners from the Church of the Good Shepherd in downtown Raleigh and by community volunteers. Shepherd's Table Soup Kitchen is located at 121 Hillsborough Street in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Urban Ministries, which is mentioned above, also runs a Food Pantry which is open from 9:30am until 1:00pm Monday through Friday at the same location as the medical clinic (1390 Capital Blvd. in Raleigh).

** This article was inspired by an Associated Content challenge that was started by Rose Kitchen. Thanks to Rose for putting forth such a wonderful idea!

Sources: Personal experience; Urban Ministries website; North Carolina Association of Free Clinics website; Legal Aid of North Carolina website; Carolina Dispute Settlement Services website; Shepherd's Table website.