Smart Choice – FAQs

  • Click here and log in to SmartChoice™ with your Shopper ID and PIN.
  • Your account will have a number of monthly points to spend on groceries, divided among the different categories.
  • Select the type and amount of any item you would like, using “Add to Cart”.
  • When finished with your shopping, select “Checkout”.
  • Your order will be located at the Food Pantry for you to pick up at the time you select. Please do NOT come to the pantry the day before your scheduled order.  We will not fill your order the day before your appointment.

  • Your monthly points will refresh at the beginning of the next month (points do not carry over)

  • You may only order once per month.  You will NOT be able to log in to Smart Choice until the next month after you visit the pantry.

  • You will be able to submit your food order at least 3 hours before your pick-up time.  Please come at your scheduled time!

  • If you must cancel or change your appointment, call 704-786-4709 ext 803 and leave a message.
  • Orders not picked up by pantry closing time will be canceled and you will need to place another order.  If your order is canceled, your account will not be charged points.

  • Non-perishables, such as cans and boxes of Vegetables, Fruits, Proteins, Grains, Soup, and Cereal.
  • Extra items, such as cleaning supplies, paper products, and baby items (diapers, formula, baby food, etc.) WHEN AVAILABLE.

  • Perishables, produce, bakery, desserts, deli, and frozen meat
  • Monthly USDA/TEFAP food boxes
  • You will receive these items pre-packaged, if we have them available.

  • If you have a special request, please use the “Note to Staff” section in your online order.  (Examples – “I need feminine products” or “No desserts please”)
  • If you have a dietary restriction or allergy, you may click on “Special Diets” at the bottom of the “Main Menu”.  Only the food items which fit your personal criteria will remain visible to you for selection.

  • Only the items that are actually on our pantry shelves and fit the number of points you have remaining will be available to order.

  • If you type the address into many web browsers, including Google, it will not take you to the right place.  Please use one of our links.  Click here.

  • Your browser took you to the wrong location.  Please click here.

  • You have already placed an order during this month.  You will need to wait until next month before you can log into SmartChoice again.

  • Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina and the USDA require us to update our food clients’ personal information at least once a year.  You will need to come to the Crisis Center Food Pantry and ask a volunteer to update your info and change the “expiration date”  Then, you will be able to place orders remotely again.

  • Please call 704-786-4709, ext 803, and leave a message. We will get back to you as soon as we are able.

FOOD PARTNERS

“For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave
Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in.”

MATTHEW 25:35

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

  1. mail:
    U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
  2. fax:
    (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
  3. email:
    pr************@us**.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.