About Urban Ministries of Wake County
45 Years of Service
Since 1981, Urban Ministries of Wake County has responded to our neighbors in crisis by providing basic needs – food, medicine and shelter. Lately, we’ve placed renewed emphasis on looking beyond the moment – helping clients to build a higher quality of life.
In January of 2026, we’ll be celebrating 45 years of service at Urban Ministries of Wake County. 45 years of providing basic needs to those who need it most.
Our Mission
Urban Ministries of Wake County engages our community to serve and advocate on behalf of those affected by poverty by providing food and nutrition, promoting health and wellness, and by laying the foundations of home.
Our Vision
A community where everyone is as healthy as they can be, has excellent nutrition, and has a stable home.
Our Approach
Our programs continually evolve to meet the changing needs of a growing community.
We recognize the multitude of problems facing those in crisis. When food and funds run out, when untreated illnesses affect a family, when the sense of “home” has slipped away – we seek to step in and provide help to our neighbors. And even beyond the crisis, we invite clients to consider what changes might help them to enjoy a more stable life.
The issues we seek to ease are almost always intertwined – hunger, health, home. We want to give our neighbors in need a hand up, not a handout. We seek to partner with them to help make their lives better.
An opportunity for nutrition.
Our Hunger and Nutrition Program consists of a food pantry and garden. We provide a week’s worth of nutritious groceries to more than 55,000 people each year, including about 30,000 children.
An opportunity for health and wellness.
We are more than healthcare providers, we are partners in health. At the Open Door Clinic, our doctors, nurses and staff provide quality care to more than 1,500 uninsured adults.
An opportunity for home.
At the Helen Wright Center for Women, we offer more than emergency shelter to women experiencing homelessness. We also offer counseling, workforce development, job readiness and life skills classes.
An opportunity for advocacy and service.
We could not do what we do without the support of nearly 1,000 volunteers every year. Our community has made it possible for us to serve you for 45 years. We are inspired by all of you!
Impact in Action: News & Stories of Hope, Impact and Community
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Volunteer with us
We’re only able to do what we do because of those who get involved.
