The Shepherd's Center of Charlotte - Hot Meals Program

Where Do Meals Come From?

Regular and modified diets can be accommodated in the meals prepared at the Friendship Trays headquarters near South Boulevard.
Each meal costs $4.30 and is billed to the client monthly by the Friendship Trays office. Sliding scale subsidy is available for those on a limited income.

Who is Eligible?

Eligibility for meals is based on need. Anyone can refer a potential recipient and a brief interview is conducted over the phone. Each client is visited in his/her home before meal delivery begins. Sometimes persons must be put on a waiting list.
Not all area of Charlotte is covered by this service, but the service area is growing.

What Is Friendship Trays, Inc.?

Friendship Trays is a private nonprofit organization, founded in 1976, which delivers approximately 500 meals a day with the help of 64 teams of volunteer drivers.
The office is located at 2401 Distribution Dr., off Remount Road between South Boulevard and South Tryon St.
Office hours are 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM, Monday through Friday, and 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM on weekends. The staff may be reached during these hours at 704-333-9229, and there is a 24-hour answering machine.

More than Meals!

Each volunteer deliverer carries about eight meals on his or her route, leaving time for a brief visit with the frail or homebound persons receiving the meal. This is the "Friendship" in Friendship Trays and it is an important part of the purpose of the organization.

Who Delivers meals?

Local houses of worship, businesses and other organizations field teams of drivers who carry the hot meals. Volunteers are always needed for packaging and delivering the meals.