Our pantry had humble beginnings, serving 3,496 people food in the first year. We've grown tremendously over the years. Before the pandemic, we were the county's largest client-choice pantry. We've gone back to the curbside model for now but we have served more people than ever before - 42,219 in just 12 months.

The Ark Shelter opened in 1984 and served 25 men experiencing homelessness. Two years later, it expanded to serve 10 women. 20 years ago, it was renamed, the Helen Wright Center, in honor of the agency's first director. Today, the HWCW is much more than a shelter. We can accommodate 73 women experiencing homelessness, while also offering services like counseling and online certification classes.

The Open Door Clinic was started in 1985 under the direction of Dr. Donald T. Lucey. It was one of the state's earliest free and charitable clinics. Today, we serve more than 1500 uninsured adults and provide roughly 39,000 prescriptions from our on-site pharmacy each year.

It all started when a group of volunteers from different church congregations decided to make a lasting impact on the lives of the neighbors. Today, we are only able to operate because of our volunteers who give tirelessly of their time and talent to make a difference in someone's life each day. Whether it be bringing meals to the women at the Helen Wright Center, helping stock the pantry, or even providing medical expertise; our volunteers are the backbone of Urban Ministries of Wake County.