2009 highlights

Families per month graph

Who is CPO

counties servedCPO is the third largest food pantry in North Carolina and the largest food pantry in Wake County. In 2009 we provided approximately 929 tons of groceries to an average of 7672 people a month.

People are referred to CPO by human service agencies, churches, medical providers, and school counselors who see first hand those who struggle in our community.

Leaders of Wake County Human Services have told us that CPO is the most important source of food in the community. "CPO is about the people and families. I don't know what this community would do without CPO." Lois Hinton, Director of Child and Maternal Health.

Clients can receive approximately 1 week’s worth of groceries for their family, clothing (children’s up to age 4 & maternity), and baby items, at most once every 30 days. 

CPO's Mission

As an expression of Catholic social teachings, the mission of Catholic Parish Outreach is to serve the needy families and individuals of our community by providing supplemental food and young children’s clothing.

CPO's Organization

Catholic Parish Outreach is a program of Catholic Charities, which is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Catholic Parish Outreach was founded by several parishes in the Raleigh area and is an outreach ministry of the parishes in the Raleigh Deanery. In the mid-1980's, the parishes asked Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh to assume administration of Catholic Parish Outreach. Catholic Charities is honored to partner with the parishes of the Raleigh Deanery to offer this much needed service to those in need of food and clothing assistance.

CPO's History

Catholic Parish Outreach was established in 1977 by Sisters Ann Joseph & Louise Hill (Order of the Daughters of Charity). The founding Parishes were St. Raphael, St. Joseph, Sacred Heart, Our Lady of Lourdes and St Mary.

Over the years, the client base continued to grow resulting a number of moves into larger facilities.

  • Tarboro Street (a former barber shop)
  • Franklin Street (1983)
  • Capital Blvd. (1987)
  • Noblin Road (2002)
  • North Raleigh Blvd (Nov 2008)