Assistance

Brunswick Partnership for Housing 

• Assisting couples, those with children, and disabled women (those unable to navigate the stairs at CRCI)
• Contact: 910.946.1499

Christian Recovery Centers, Inc. (CRCI)

• Assisting individual males, individual females, and families
• Contact: 910.287.4357 
• Shelter for families and individuals 18 years and older who are experiencing homelessness or living without heat and/or hot water.

Download CRCI Warming Facilities Flyer (PNG)

Brunswick County’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Emergency Management departments are encouraging all residents with access and functional needs to register for assistance this hurricane season.

The Brunswick County Access and Functional Needs (AFN) Registry is a HIPAA-compliant database of residents who may have additional needs in functional areas before, during, and after an emergency event such as a hurricane. The registry helps emergency responders identify these individuals, ensuring faster and more effective support during a disaster.

 Enrollment in the AFN Registry is recommended for individuals who:

• Have physical, developmental, or intellectual disabilities
• Use mobility aids (e.g., wheelchairs, walkers, canes)
• Rely on medical equipment or assistive devices (e.g., oxygen tanks, ventilators)
• Have chronic health conditions that require regular care or medication
• Have visual, hearing, or speech impairments
• Experience cognitive or mental health challenges (e.g., dementia, severe anxiety, autism)
• Need help with daily living activities (e.g., eating, bathing, dressing)
• Lack reliable transportation or are unable to drive due to age, disability, or financial hardship
• Are elderly and live alone, or are socially isolated
• Are temporarily injured or recovering from surgery

When an emergency event is anticipated or has occurred, Brunswick County Emergency Management team members will use the ReadyBrunswick Emergency Notification System to contact all individuals in the AFN Registry in the affected area at one time. People on the registry will be provided with all pertinent information related to that specific emergency event and will be asked to share their status, evacuation plans, and anticipated needs for that specific event.

 Signing up for the AFN Registry is voluntary; registrants can opt out at any time. Any information submitted is strictly confidential and will only be used in the event of an emergency.

 To learn more about the AFN Registry, visit our Assistance webpage or contact Brunswick County EMS at 910.253.2850.

For assistance with signing up for ReadyBrunswick and the AFN Registry, email Brunswick County Emergency Management or call 910.253.5383.

For more hurricane preparedness tips, visit BrunswickCountyNC.gov/Hurricanes.

Additional Information and Resources:

• Access & Functional Needs (AFN) Pamphlet (PDF)
• Disaster Preparedness Guide for Seniors and Caregivers
• Ready.gov - Preparing Makes Sense for Older Americans Pamphlet (PDF)
• Ready.gov - Preparing Makes Sense for People with Disabilities and Others w/Access and Functional Needs Pamphlet (PDF)
• Ready.gov - Preparing Makes Sense Pamphlet (PDF)
• Sign-up for the AFN Registry

Support

Family Promise/WIHN (Wilmington Interfaith Hospitality Network) has an emergency shelter program that unites community partners in a collaborative effort to assist homeless families. For more information, visit the Family Promise Website or call 910-769-4730.

Good Shepherd provides shelters and resources for affordable housing in the Cape Fear area. For more information, visit the Good Shepard Contact Page or call 910-763-4424.

Rent Assistance

• Contact Brunswick Family Assistance (BFA) to learn about resources for rental and utility assistance by calling 910-754-4766.
• Brunswick Homeless Coalition or call 888-519-5362

Housing Opportunities and Prevention of Evictions (HOPE) is new statewide initiative that may provide rent and utility assistance to eligible low- and moderate-income renters experiencing financial hardship due to the economic effects of COVID-19. To apply or access additional resources from the HOPE program, visit the NC211 Rent Assistance Page.

Experiencing Homelessness?

• Brunswick Partnership For Housing or call 910-946-1501
• Brunswick Homeless Coalition or call 888-519-5362
• Call the Coordinated Entry Hotline at 910-444-0621 or 910-444-8315 (please leave a message if there is no answer) or email coordinatedentry@capefearcog.org for appointments and information. Visit Cape Fear's website for more details.
• North Carolina CoC Coordinated Entry Contact list
• NC Emergency Solutions Grant

Fleeing Domestic Violence

Housing Intake Call-Ins: Every Thursday and by appointment at:

• Family Promise: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
  • Address: 20 N 4th Street, Suite 440, Wilmington, NC 28401
  • Phone: 910-769-4730
• First Fruit Ministries: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Noon)
  • Address: 2750 Vance Street, Wilmington, NC 28412
  • Text HELP to 910-899-8380 on WhatsApp for 24/7 resources.
  • Call their office at 910-794-9656 for information about housing, emergency shelter, food and supplies, and support (Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
  • Email First Fruit Ministries to request help.
  • Visit their Day Shelter on Tuesdays (women and families) or Thursdays to meet with a case manager.

Related Documents

Coordinated Entry Hotline printable flyer (PDF)

View more information on crisis response resources in Brunswick County and shelters in neighboring areas.

Brunswick County Department of Social Services (DSS)

During the holiday season each year, Social Services works with community members and organizations to support children, youth, and adults involved with the child welfare system in Brunswick County. These individuals are automatically added to the list of participants for the Angel Tree initiative. Social Services team members work to collect wish lists for each Angel Tree participant, which are then created into tags and placed on Angel Trees inside Brunswick County Social Services in Bolivia or inside the Walmart Supercenter locations in Shallotte, Southport, and Leland. Once the tags have been placed, community members are invited to visit one of these four locations to select a wish list, which they must fulfill by a certain date each December.

Note: The Brunswick County Angel Tree initiative is only open to individuals currently involved with Brunswick County Child Protective Services (CPS), Adult Protective Services (APS), or foster care services. These individuals are automatically added to the list of participants for the initiative. Self-referrals are not accepted.

Brunswick Family Assistance (BFA)

Information, donor forms, and participation applications for BFA's annual Christmas program can be found on the Brunswick Family Assistance website. Applicants must schedule an appointment to enroll in the Christmas program.

Marine Toys for Tots Foundation - Calabash Campaign

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charity that serves as the authorized fundraising and support organization for the Toys for Tots (TFT) Program. The Foundation is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Marine Toys for Tots Program. Their mission during the holiday season is to provide toys, books, and other gifts to in-need children of all ages. All donations collected through the Calabash Campaign are distributed to children in Brunswick, Columbus, and Bladen Counties.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army applications for Angel Tree Christmas Assistance can be found at the Salvation Army Angel Tree website. Applications can be completed in English and Spanish from a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Documents will need to be uploaded - please follow the directions. Space is limited and will be first come first serve. Please share with all those that may need help with toys/clothing for their children this year!

Addiction Treatment, Resources, & Support

• Brunswick Christian Recovery Center
• The Healing Place of New Hanover County
• Anchor Initiative
• Treatment and Support

Mental Health & Substance Use

Trillium Health Resources is a local governmental agency (LME/MCO) that manages mental health, substance use, and intellectual and developmental disability services in Brunswick County and other eastern North Carolina counties.

• Use the Mental Health Screening Tool
• View a Provider Directory
• View the Opioid Use Disorder Medication Assisted Treatment Resource Manual (PDF)

Substance Use & Addiction Commission

Learn more about the Brunswick County Substance Use, Addiction, & Mental Health Commission.

Individuals in need of food assistance are highly encouraged to call before visiting any food pantry as times, locations, and availability may change.

Use the Food Finder tool to enter your zip code and find a food bank near you.

State - Access Food for Children

• Governor Cooper announced a texting tool to access food for children. Free or reduced-price eligible families can text FOODNC to 877-877 to find nearby meal sites.

View locations of Food Pantries

Brunswick Baptist Association

The Brunswick Baptist Association hosts a diaper bank every Wednesday at 1041 Old Ocean Highway, Bolivia (unless it falls directly before or on a holiday). Individuals must be referred by the Brunswick County Department of Social Services, a pastor of a local church, or a medical office. All referrals must be made by email no later than the Tuesday before. Phone referrals will not be accepted. The referral must include the individual's name receiving the diapers, the number of children needing diapers and their sizes, and the person who is making the referral with their complete contact information. All referrals must be emailed to brunsbaptist@atmc.net.

• Call 910-754-7979
• 1041 Old Ocean Highway, Bolivia, NC 28422
• Wednesdays, by referral only. A photo ID is required.
• For more information, visit the Brunswick Baptist Website
• The Brunswick Baptist Association is a partner distribution site for the Diaper Bank of NC- Lower Cape Fear Branch. Email the Lower Cape Fear Branch

Catholic Charities (Cape Fear Region)

Catholic Charities welcomes individuals and families of all faiths or no faith tradition, living in the following counties to participate in services: Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, and Pender.

• Call 910-251-8130 before you come to ensure we have what you need.
• 4280 U.S.-421, Suite 110, Wilmington, NC 28401
• Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 am to 11:30 am
• Families can access 30-50 diapers once every 30 calendar days. We also carry infant and toddler diapering needs.
• For more information, visit Catholic Charities (Cape Fear Region) Website
• Catholic Charities is a partner distribution site for the Diaper Bank of NC- Lower Cape Fear Branch. Email the Lower Cape Fear Branch

Brunswick County Voluntary Organizations Active Disaster (VOAD)

Visit our VOAD webpage for more information about available assistance resources in Brunswick County.

Port City Community Church: SERV, PC3 Leland

Service Emergency Response Volunteers (SERV) is a PC3 Leland Team willing to assist with various situations that arise within our community. Some examples are:

• Assisting with getting a person home after a hospital stay
• Helping a homeowner fix corroded water pipes
• Helping an elderly church member change a light bulb that requires an extension ladder
• Gathering and distributing water after a serious weather event

Certain situations may require specific skills, so having a wide variety of persons with various abilities is necessary. Many situations will require no special skills, and all situations will simply require love and compassion. Contact SERV if you are in need.

Salvation Army

Programs offered by Salvation Army Cape Fear include:

• Shelter
• Life Skills
• Soup Line
• Emergency Assistance
• Family Store Vouchers

Learn more about the programs offered by Salvation Army Cape Fear.

Catholic Charities (Cape Fear Region)

Catholic Charities welcomes individuals and families living in the following counties to participate in services: Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, and Pender. Programs offered by Catholic Charities include:

• Disaster Services
• Food Pantry Services
• Immigration Legal Services
• Emergency Utility Assistance
• Diaper Bank (Baby/Hygiene/Household Items)

Learn more about the programs offered by Catholic Charities.