Mother Hubbard's Cupboard serves the hungry in the Wilmington area through the distribution of emergency food. This service is provided by volunteers in collaboration with community organizations and businesses without discrimination and with care to preserve the dignity of the individuals being served.
Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard will not engage in discrimination in the provision of service against any person because of race, color, citizenship, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military, or status as a protected veteran.
An abundance of kindness from everyone helping here: cheerful and grateful to be giving, it seems, to no end! I consider it as a hidden gem to people that don’t know. I struggle to pay rent as I’m on a fixed income, and I’d not eat for some weeks, if not for these wonderful folks. I am grateful for your service. No judgment zone friendly folks and a good amount of food.
Once a month, any needy individual or family may come to Mother Hubbard's Cupboard to receive a 3-5 day supply of groceries (meant to be emergency food). People without stoves receive a smaller amount of food and are served weekly. Those requesting food self-declared their need. Clients include local people who are in need of assistance. Special Services are available to address toiletry, diabetic, and infant needs.
Cupboard Clients generally receive both shelf-stable and frozen groceries. A portion of the food provided to Clients comes from Community donations, and the remainder comes from a Federal Government Program called The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which is a part of the US Department of Agriculture, and funded by the Farm Bill.
Unfortunately, Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard is not able to deliver food to you at this time. A Client must either come to the Cupboard location at 315 Redcross St. in downtown Wilmington or (for house bound Clients) send a representative to pick up their food.
The Cupboard is located at 315 Redcross St. in downtown Wilmington, NC. See the clickable map below.
Clients with access to working appliances may come to the Cupboard 3 times per calendar month. Clients can expect to receive from 3-5+ days worth of food per visit.
Clients without stoves to cook on, or refrigerators can come to the Cupboard once per calendar week; these clients get a reduced amount of food on each visit, typically enough to last 1-2 days.
Name and Birthdate of Head of Household
Number and Ages of People in the Household
Does the Household Receive Food Stamps
Address including Zip Code
Dietary Restrictions (ie: Diabetic)
There is parking on the 3rd St. side of the 315 Redcross St. Location. See the above map.
Mother Hubbard's is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from noon - 3 pm.
Mother Hubbard's is Usually Closed on the Following Dates:
Martin Luther King Monday in January, 2nd Saturday in April (Azalea Festival), Memorial Day Monday, July 4th, Labor Day Monday, Thanksgiving Saturday December 25th, December 26th and January 1st. Mother Hubbard's makes every effort to remain open despite weather issues. If enough volunteers can make it in, the Cupboard will be open. When in doubt, please call 910-762-2199 to get up to date information on closing.
See the DONATE section above
Our Volunteer page will help get you started volunteering with us.
Unfortunately, the Cupboard has no Public Restrooms. However, Public Restrooms are available at the Main Branch of the New Hanover County Public Library on 2nd St. and at Service Stations near the Cupboard.