Shop With Purpose
Find great deals while supporting families in Lee County. All proceeds from our thrift store directly fund our community programs.
109 E. Main St., Sanford
Tues–Fri: 10–4 | Sat: 10–2
Donations: Tues–Sat 10–2
Facing Food Insecurity? You’re Not Alone.
Visit our Client Choice Healthy Pantry and select the foods your family needs. Guests may shop once every four weeks.
Hours:
Monday: 4–6 PM
Wednesday & Friday: 12–2 PM
📍 2885 Lee Avenue, Sanford, NC
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Do Good. Serve Together.
Volunteer with your organization, church group, or coworkers and make a tangible impact in our community.
Be the good in this world.
Let's be partners in serving our community.
Feeding Neighbors, Restoring Dignity in
Lee County Since 2004
Our Story
Christians United Outreach Center (CUOC) began in 2004 as a small outreach serving neighbors in Lee County, North Carolina with basic food assistance. Over the past twenty years, CUOC has grown to meet the increasing needs of our community. Today, in addition to food support, we offer limited assistance with utility and rent payments, pastoral counseling, a community thrift store, and our Client Choice Healthy Pantry.
CUOC has been recognized by the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina with the Gold Standard designation for food pantries. Out of hundreds of food pantries across the state, only a select number have achieved this distinction. This recognition reflects our commitment to excellence, dignity, and accessibility in serving our neighbors.
Our Client Choice Healthy Pantry operates like a small grocery store. Instead of receiving a pre-packed box of food, neighbors walk through the pantry with a cart and select the items that best meet their family’s needs. They can choose specific produce, compare cereal brands, and find culturally familiar foods such as collards or corn masa. Offering choice not only reduces food waste, it restores dignity and allows families to prepare meals they know and love.
As inflation and rising costs continue to impact working families, food insecurity remains a growing challenge. CUOC exists to respond with compassion, accountability, and practical support.
We are here to help.
How We Serve Our Neighbors
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Food Pantry
We provide perishable and non-perishable food to help supplement the nutritional needs of individuals and families facing hardship. Our client-choice pantry allows guests to select the items that best meet their household needs.
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Thrift Store
We gratefully accept donated clothing and household goods. All proceeds from thrift store sales directly support our outreach programs. Emergency clothing and household vouchers are available for individuals and families in crisis.
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Backpack Pals
Each week, we partner with Lee County Schools to provide at-risk students with weekend bags of food, helping ensure children have access to meals outside of school hours.
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Financial Assistance
As funds allow, we provide limited emergency assistance toward essential needs such as utilities and other critical expenses.
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Medical Equipment
Medical equipment is available for loan at no cost and may be kept for as long as the need exists.
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Pastoral Care
During client service hours, pastors from local ministries are available to offer encouragement, prayer, and compassionate support.
How You Can Make a Difference
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Host a Food Drive
Collect shelf-stable food items to help stock our pantry.
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Give Financially
Monetary donations allow us to respond quickly to urgent community needs.
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Volunteer
Serve in our Food Pantry, Thrift Store, Backpack Pals program, or in various support roles.
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Leadership & Board Service