Burke County
Ask about Burke County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Burke County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Burke County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · County office
Burke County Department of Social Services
700 E Parker Road, Morganton, NC 28655
Help here
- Benefits and family supportAsk about SNAP, Medicaid, Work First, child care help, child support, and other family services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on burkenc.org
Housing help · Regional office
Morganton Housing Authority
644 First Street, Morganton, NC 28655
Help here
- Affordable housingApply for housing help for eligible low-income families, older adults, and people with disabilities.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on morgantonhousing.com
Local office · Nonprofit
NC 211
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall 211 to find local help with basic needs such as housing, food, utilities, and health care.Read more
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on nc211.org
Public health · County office
Burke County Health Department
700 E Parker Road, Morganton, NC 28655
Help here
- Public health servicesCall the health department to ask about clinic care, immunizations, family planning, and other public health services.
- WICWIC offers food and nutrition support to eligible pregnant people, new parents, infants, and children under five.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on burkenc.org
Mental health and recovery · Nonprofit
Catawba Valley Healthcare, Valdese Clinic
205 Morgan Street SE, Valdese, NC 28690
Help here
- Behavioral health careGet outpatient therapy, psychiatric care, peer support, and help with substance use and other health needs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cvhnc.org
Older adults · Regional office
Western Piedmont Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging
1880 2nd Avenue NW, Hickory, NC 28601
Help here
- Aging ServicesFind information and referrals for older adults, people with disabilities, and their families.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on wpcog.org
Veterans · County office
Burke County Veterans Services
501 N Green Street, Morganton, NC 28655
Help here
- Veterans benefits assistanceGet help applying for veterans benefits and services for veterans and their eligible family members.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on burkenc.org
Jobs and training · State office
NCWorks Career Center - Burke
200 East College Drive, K Building, Morganton, NC 28655
Help here
- Job search and career servicesGet help with career planning, resumes, job preparation, and training options.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on wpcog.org
State office
Morganton Driver License Office
115 Government Drive, Morganton, NC 28655
Help here
- Driver licenses and identificationApply for or renew a North Carolina driver license or identification card at this office.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ncdot.gov
Library · County office
Burke County Public Library
204 S King Street, Morganton, NC 28655
Help here
- Library servicesUse library books, public computers, Wi-Fi, printing, and learning programs at locations across the county.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on bcpls.org
Burke County, North Carolina website
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals in Burke County, closest to the center of Morganton first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Free meals
Angels & Sparrows Community Table
Angels & Sparrows
53 miles from the center of Morganton15016 N Old Statesville Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
Hours
- Mon11 AM to 1 PM
- Tue11 AM to 1 PM
- Wed11 AM to 1 PM
- Thu11 AM to 1 PM
- Fri11 AM to 1 PM
Who can come: Anyone who needs help
Listed on angelsandsparrows.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Hearts and Hands Food Pantry
Hearts and Hands Foundation Inc.
57 miles from the center of Morganton4040 Chesapeake Drive, Charlotte, NC 28216
Hours
- Tue2 PM to 5:30 PM
- Wed11 AM to 1 PM. Spanish only
- Thu12 PM to 3 PM
Who can come: Anyone who needs emergency food assistance
Languages: Spanish
Listed on heartsandhandsfoodpantry.com, checked on October 9, 2026
Free grocery market
Freedom Fridge & Pantry
QC Family Tree
58 miles from the center of Morganton2916 Parkway Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28208
Hours
- Mon12 AM to 11:59 PM. Open 24 hours
- Tue12 AM to 11:59 PM. Open 24 hours
- Wed12 AM to 11:59 PM. Open 24 hours
- Thu12 AM to 11:59 PM. Open 24 hours
- Fri12 AM to 11:59 PM. Open 24 hours
- Sat12 AM to 11:59 PM. Open 24 hours
- Sun12 AM to 11:59 PM. Open 24 hours
Who can come: Anyone in need
What to bring: No sign-up or other requirements.
Listed on qcfamilytree.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Care Ring's Client Choice Food Pantry
Care Ring
60 miles from the center of Morganton1514 N Graham Street, Charlotte, NC 28206
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Operates two to three times weekly
Who can come: Care Ring patients and clients, and other community members facing food insecurity
What to bring: Community members need a referral and appointment through Nourish Up. Care Ring patients and clients should ask their provider or coordinator for a referral.
Listed on careringnc.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Mobile pantry
The Bulb at Care Ring
The Bulb
60 miles from the center of Morganton1514 N Graham Street, Charlotte, NC 28206
Hours
- Thu11 AM to 12 PM
Who can come: Charlotte neighbors
What to bring: No referral or appointment needed.
Listed on careringnc.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Roof Above Day Services Center
Roof Above
60 miles from the center of Morganton945 North College Street, Charlotte, NC 28206
Hours
- Mon11:15 AM to 12:15 PM
- Tue11:15 AM to 12:15 PM
- Wed11:15 AM to 12:15 PM
- Thu11:15 AM to 12:15 PM
- Fri11:15 AM to 12:15 PM
- Sat11:15 AM to 12:15 PM
- Sun11:15 AM to 12:15 PM
Who can come: Anyone, including people experiencing homelessness or unstable housing
Listed on roofabove.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Burke County
Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.
Food bank
Food banks supply the food pantries and meal sites near you. Call or check the website to find one close by.
Nonprofit
Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina
500 B Spratt St., Charlotte, NC 28206
Listed on feedingamerica.org, checked on October 10, 2026
Free legal help
Free help with civil legal problems, like eviction, benefits and family law, for people with low incomes. Funded by the Legal Services Corporation.
Nonprofit
Legal Aid of North Carolina, Inc.
Listed on lsc.gov, checked on October 10, 2026
Community action
Local nonprofits that help people with low incomes. Many help with energy bills, rent, jobs and taxes. Call to ask what they offer now.
Nonprofit
Blue Ridge Community Action, Inc.
800 North Green Street, Morganton, NC 28655
Listed on ncdhhs.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Burke County
North Carolina programs by kind of help
These are run by North Carolina and work the same everywhere in the state. Each page lists the programs and how to apply.
- FoodFood benefits, WIC, school meals and food banks.
- HousingRent help, shelter, and help with heat and power bills.
- HealthHealth coverage, Medicare, mental health care and help with drug costs.
- MoneyCash help, disability, retirement and veterans payments, and tax help.
- CareChild care, help for older adults and disability support.
- EducationHelp paying for college and training, and free preschool.
- WorkJobs, unemployment, and the IDs and papers you need for work.
- Legal helpFree legal help with eviction, family law, benefits and more.
- SafetyHelp with abuse at home, a safe place to stay, and crisis lines.
Checked on October 8, 2026
Federal help anyone can use
These come from the federal government, so they work the same in every state.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people with little income and few resources who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability, including children.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes and now cannot work because of a disability that will last a long time.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security retirement benefits
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes, starting as early as 62. Spouses and widows may also get benefits.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Medicare
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Health insurance for people 65 or older and for some younger people with a disability or kidney failure.
Call 1-800-633-4227 - Extra Help with Medicare drug costs
Social Security Administration. Help paying for Medicare prescription drug plans for people with limited income and resources.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - VA health care
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Health care at VA clinics and hospitals for veterans who served in the active military and did not get a dishonorable discharge.
Call 1-877-222-8387 - VA disability compensation and benefits
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Monthly payments for veterans with an illness or injury caused or made worse by military service, plus education, home loan and other benefits.
Call 1-800-827-1000 - FAFSA, the federal student aid form
U.S. Department of Education. One free form that opens federal grants, work-study and loans for college or trade school. Many states and schools use it for their own aid too.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - Federal Pell Grant
U.S. Department of Education. Money for college or trade school that usually does not have to be paid back, for students with financial need.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - HealthCare.gov
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The federal marketplace for health insurance plans. Many people can get lower monthly costs based on their income.
Call 1-800-318-2596 - Lifeline phone and internet discount
Federal Communications Commission. A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.
Call 1-800-234-9473 - Head Start and Early Head Start
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Free preschool, child care and family support for young children from birth to age 5 in families with low income, run by local programs.
Call 1-866-763-6481 - IRS Free File
Internal Revenue Service. File your federal tax return online for free with tax software offered through the IRS, if your income is under the year's limit.
- VITA and TCE free tax help
Internal Revenue Service. IRS-certified volunteers prepare and file your taxes for free, in person, for people with low or moderate income, older adults and people with disabilities.
Call 1-800-906-9887 - Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Internal Revenue Service. A federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can mean a bigger refund, even if you owe no tax.
Call 1-800-829-1040 - Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Help paying rent in a home you choose, for families with very low income, older adults and people with disabilities. Local housing authorities run it, and many have waiting lists.
- Replace a Social Security card
Social Security Administration. Get a free replacement Social Security card if yours was lost, stolen or damaged. Many people can ask online.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - FEMA disaster assistance
Federal Emergency Management Agency. Help with a place to stay, repairs and other needs after a disaster the President has declared in your area.
Call 1-800-621-3362
Checked on October 9, 2026
Talk to a person
- NC 211
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 211 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988