Key Takeaways
• Nearly 12% of Mecklenburg households face food insecurity; Latino families are especially affected with rising hunger rates.
• New immigration enforcement laws and fears reduce Latino community’s food donations and pantry visits in Mecklenburg County.
• Local nonprofits provide bilingual food aid, legal rights education, and support amid rising immigration-related anxieties.
Food Assistance in Mecklenburg County: Immigration Fears Keep Latino Community from Seeking Help
A growing number of Latino families in Mecklenburg County are skipping food donations and other basic support because of fears tied to immigration enforcement. Local nonprofits and advocates say this trend is putting many at risk of hunger, even as food insecurity rises across the region. The situation highlights how national immigration policies and local enforcement actions can have real-life effects on people’s ability to meet their most basic needs.
Who Is Affected, What’s Happening, and Why Now?
As of late May 2025, nonprofits in Mecklenburg County report that immigration fears are stopping many Latino community members from seeking food donations. This is happening at a time when food insecurity is already high—nearly 12 percent of households in the county don’t have enough food, according to local data. The problem is especially serious for Latino families, who make up a large share of those needing help.
The main reason for this fear is the current climate around immigration enforcement. President Trump’s administration has increased efforts to find and deport undocumented immigrants. New laws and more aggressive actions by immigration officers have made many people afraid to leave their homes or visit places where their information might be collected, like food pantries.
Nonprofits say they are seeing fewer Latino families at food distribution events, even though the need for food is rising. Many families are worried that asking for help could put them or their loved ones at risk of being reported to immigration authorities.
How Immigration Enforcement Is Creating Fear
The fear in Mecklenburg County’s Latino community is not just about rumors—it’s based on real changes in the law and in how immigration rules are enforced. In fall 2024, the North Carolina General Assembly passed HB10, a law that requires local sheriffs to tell Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when they have certain undocumented immigrants in custody. If ICE asks, sheriffs must hold these people for up to 48 hours. Although Governor Roy Cooper vetoed the bill, the legislature overrode his veto, and the law took effect.
Since President Trump returned to office in January 2025, immigrant rights groups like Siembra NC have seen a huge jump in calls to their hotlines. In just two weeks after the inauguration, they received more than 300 calls—three times their usual number over several months. Most callers wanted to know how to find an immigration lawyer or how to make emergency plans in case a family member was detained.
This climate of fear is not limited to Mecklenburg County. Across North Carolina, immigrants are worried about being stopped by police, having their information shared with ICE, or being caught up in workplace raids. For many, these fears are strong enough to keep them from seeking help, even when they are hungry.
Food Insecurity in Mecklenburg County: Who Needs Help?
Food insecurity means not having enough food or not being able to afford a healthy diet. In Mecklenburg County, about 12 percent of households face this problem. The Latino community is especially affected:
- 37% of people served by Nourish Up (formerly Loaves & Fishes/Friendship Trays) are Latino.
- The number of people using these food pantries and home grocery delivery services has gone up by 38% in recent months.
- Food Shares, another local service, has seen a 35% increase in people needing help.
Most of the food insecurity is found in a part of Charlotte called the “crescent of poverty,” which surrounds the city’s uptown area. The zip code 28216 has some of the highest rates of families struggling to get enough food.
Why Are Latino Families Afraid to Seek Food Donations?
For many Latino families, the fear of being reported to immigration authorities outweighs the need for food. Some worry that their names, addresses, or other information could be shared with law enforcement. Others are afraid that simply being seen at a food pantry could make them a target.
Advocates say that even families with children who are U.S. citizens 🇺🇸 are afraid to ask for help. In some cases, parents are skipping meals so their children can eat. Others are relying on friends or neighbors instead of going to official food distribution sites.
The Latin American Coalition, a local nonprofit, says it has seen a big increase in newcomer families asking for help. In just three months, 1,500 new families—mostly from Colombia, Cuba, and Venezuela—have reached out for support. These families need more than just food. They also ask for help with rent, jobs, baby formula, school supplies, hygiene products, and mental health services.
Community Response: How Nonprofits Are Trying to Help
Local organizations are working hard to make food assistance safer and more welcoming for the Latino community. Here are some of the main groups involved:
- Nourish Up offers groceries through food pantries, home delivery, and Meals on Wheels. Services are available in both English and Spanish at most locations.
- Heart & Hands Food Pantry provides pick-up or delivery options on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, with support in both languages.
- Camino Health Center runs the Food Farmacy, giving out a week’s worth of groceries tailored to each family’s needs, again with bilingual support.
- The Mis Amigos Project (M.A.P.) keeps a database of over 400 families who regularly ask for food, diapers, clothing, and other essentials.
These groups are also working to educate the community about their rights. For example, volunteers are handing out “red cards” (tarjetas rojas) that explain what to do if approached by immigration officers. Maria Fernanda Garcia, who started Project Red Cards in Charlotte, distributed over 2,000 cards in just one weekend. Immigration attorney Jamilah Espinosa says these cards are vital, especially now that talk of more deportations and raids is on the rise.
Economic and Agricultural Impact: More Than Just Food
The effects of immigration enforcement go beyond food pantries. North Carolina’s economy, especially its farms, depends heavily on immigrant workers. According to a 2023 study by the N.C. Department of Commerce, nearly one in four agriculture workers in the state are immigrants.
Lee Wicker, deputy director of the NC Growers Association, says, “We’ve got to have guest workers if we want to grow food in this country.” Nathan Leys, a staff attorney at FarmSTAND, warns that if the Trump administration succeeds in reducing the number of undocumented people, it could “devastate agricultural communities.” Some farmworkers are already too afraid to go to work, which could lead to crops being left in the fields and farms shutting down.
This labor shortage could make food even more expensive and harder to find, hurting everyone in the community—not just immigrants.
Historical Barriers: Language and Legal Status
The challenges facing the Latino community in Mecklenburg County are not new. A needs assessment by UNC Charlotte’s Urban Institute found that language barriers are the biggest challenge for Latino residents—37% of respondents said this was their main problem. Issues related to discrimination, prejudice, and legal status were also common, making up nearly a third of all responses.
Economic barriers, such as poor job options and lack of education for the job market, were mentioned by 16% of respondents. These long-standing problems make it even harder for Latino families to get the help they need, especially when combined with new fears about immigration enforcement.
How the Community Is Adapting
Despite these challenges, local groups are finding creative ways to reach families in need. Many food pantries now offer services in Spanish and try to avoid collecting unnecessary personal information. Some have moved to home delivery models to make it safer for families who are afraid to go out.
Advocacy groups are also working to change the laws and reduce fear. Project Red Cards is expanding, with plans to hand out thousands more cards across the Charlotte area. The Mis Amigos Project is focusing on counties around Mecklenburg, like Cabarrus, Union, Iredell, and Rowan, where the need is also high.
For families who need help, Nourish Up can be reached at (704) 523-4333, with support in both English and Spanish. Mamie Sackey Harris, the Food Security Program Manager, can also be contacted at [email protected] or 980-314-9063.
What’s Next? The Future of Food Assistance and Immigration in Mecklenburg County
The situation in Mecklenburg County is likely to stay difficult in the near future. Latino food distributors in the Charlotte area are already feeling the effects of new tariffs and changing immigration policies. As reported by VisaVerge.com, these pressures are making it even harder for families to get the food and support they need.
Advocates say that unless there are changes in immigration enforcement or new protections for undocumented families, many will continue to avoid food pantries and other services. This could lead to higher rates of hunger, worse health outcomes, and more stress for children and parents alike.
What Can Be Done?
- Community education: More outreach is needed to let families know their rights and reassure them that seeking food assistance is safe.
- Policy changes: Local leaders can push for policies that protect sensitive information and prevent it from being shared with immigration authorities.
- Support for nonprofits: Donating to or volunteering with local food banks and advocacy groups can help them reach more families.
- Language access: Expanding bilingual services makes it easier for families to ask for help without fear or confusion.
For those looking for more information on food assistance and immigrant rights, the official USCIS “Know Your Rights” page offers helpful resources in multiple languages.
Key Takeaways for Mecklenburg County’s Latino Community
- Food insecurity is rising, especially among Latino families.
- Immigration fears are keeping many from seeking food donations and other help.
- Local nonprofits are working to provide safe, bilingual services and educate families about their rights.
- The agricultural sector and local economy are also feeling the effects of immigration enforcement.
- Long-standing barriers like language and legal status add to the problem.
If you or someone you know in Mecklenburg County needs food assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to local organizations. They are ready to help, and many have taken steps to protect your privacy and safety. By working together, the community can help ensure that no one goes hungry because of fear.
For more updates and analysis on immigration and food security issues, keep following trusted sources and local organizations. Remember, help is available, and you are not alone.
Learn Today
Food insecurity → The lack of consistent access to enough nutritious food for a healthy, active life.
Immigration enforcement → Legal measures used to identify, detain, and deport unauthorized immigrants.
HB10 → North Carolina law mandating sheriffs to notify ICE about certain undocumented detainees and hold them up to 48 hours.
Nonprofits → Organizations providing services without profit, often supporting vulnerable community members.
Tarjetas rojas → Red cards explaining immigrant rights when approached by immigration officers.
This Article in a Nutshell
In Mecklenburg County, immigration fears deter Latino families from seeking vital food assistance, raising hunger risks. Nonprofits work bilingually to alleviate food insecurity and educate about rights, combating fear in a tense political climate. This impacts health, agriculture, and community stability, revealing urgent local challenges tied to national immigration policies.
— By VisaVerge.com
