Urban Ministries of Durham

The Community Cafe serves three meals a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to shelter residents and anyone else in need of a meal. The welcoming Cafe area is a popular gathering place, and it is also used for community building and enrichment programs. Volunteers provide over 90% of the labor to prepare the meals, and community partners donate over 90% of the food. On weekdays, to help people find and keep jobs, we offer a convenient bag lunch picked up at breakfast to take wherever their day may lead them. In fiscal year 2014-2015, the Community Cafe served 260,000 meals, an average of 712 meals per day. Monday-Friday: Breakfast and bag lunch pickup 8-9 a.m., Dinner 7 -8 p.m.; Saturday: Breakfast 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m., Lunch in the cafe 12:30-1:30 p.m., Dinner 6-7 p.m.; Sunday and Holidays: Breakfast 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m., Lunch in the cafe 12:30-1:30 p.m., Dinner 6-7 p.m. Urban Ministries of Durham operates the Food Pantry and Clothing Closet to address basic emergency needs for food, clothing, and hygiene supplies. Most of those receiving support are not homeless but are trying to stretch very limited resources. Volunteers assisting guests watch for signs that a family is in danger of becoming homeless and can provide referrals to case managers and financial assistance providers for additional support. In fiscal year 2015, the Food Pantry and Clothing Closet servee an average of 487 households per month. Guests may receive groceries and/or clothing and/or diapers once every 30 days provided that they meet the eligibility requirements and provide documentation. We assist up to 26 households per day of service, Monday-Thursday from 9-11 a.m. Visitors must please wait outside until signup begins at 9 a.m. This program could not exist without the strong and dedicated support of groups of volunteers from local communities of faith, schools, and local companies.