Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina is the hunger-relief hub for the Charlotte region, covering 24 counties across the metro and surrounding areas. In fiscal year 2023-2024 it distributed more than 88 million pounds of food and household items. With about 68 percent of its supply coming from donated food, it runs one of the most cost-efficient food-rescue operations in the Southeast. Kay Carter serves as CEO, and the headquarters is on Spratt Street in Charlotte.
Second Harvest sources food at scale and distributes it through partner agencies across 24 counties in the Charlotte region. It leans heavily on food rescue, recovering surplus from retail chains, produce growers, and manufacturers, which is why about 68 percent of what it moves is donated rather than purchased. That keeps its cost per meal low and keeps usable food out of landfills.
Kay Carter serves as CEO and is a long-recognized leader in the Charlotte nonprofit community. Under her, Second Harvest has built one of the more cost-efficient food-rescue operations in the Southeast and expanded distribution across its multi-state service area around Charlotte.
The 24-county service area spans the Charlotte metro and surrounding region, reaching across the North Carolina-South Carolina line. It mixes the fast-growing Charlotte urban core with smaller towns and rural counties, each with its own pattern of need. Charlotte’s rapid growth has not reached everyone, and food insecurity persists across the region.
Yes. Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina is a 501(c)(3) and a Feeding America member. Its high share of donated food makes it especially cost-efficient, so a dollar produces a large number of meals. Donors can review its financials through Charity Navigator and GuideStar.
Donations and volunteer shifts run through secondharvestmetrolina.org. Volunteers sort rescued and donated food, and cash gifts go furthest because of the organization’s efficient, donation-heavy model.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina covers the Charlotte region, while MANNA FoodBank serves the western mountains and other food banks cover the Piedmont and east. For anyone in the Charlotte metro or surrounding counties, Second Harvest is the lead organization.
Recovers surplus from retailers, growers, and manufacturers (~68% donated).
Agencies across 24 counties receive food and household items.
School and weekend food support for kids at risk of hunger.
Food brought into underserved communities across the region.
Sources: Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina website (secondharvestmetrolina.org), the organization’s published FY2023-24 figures, and GuideStar (EIN 56-1352593). We are not affiliated with Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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