Step 1
Search by address or ZIP code
Enter a North Carolina street address or 5-digit ZIP code in the search bar, then tap Find. You can also use Current Location to search near where you are, or tap anywhere on the map to search that spot.
A green circle shows your search radius. Colored dots on the map are individual resources; tap a dot or a result card for full details.
Step 2
Resource types & color indicators
Each resource type has a color used on the map, in result badges, and on result cards. Use Filters to show or hide types.
SNAP Retailers
Stores that accept SNAP/EBT — supermarkets, grocery stores, and some convenience stores.
Food Pantries
Free food distribution sites. Hours and eligibility vary; call ahead when possible.
Free Meals (all ages)
Soup kitchens and community meal programs open to anyone regardless of age.
Free Meals (under 18)
Summer and youth meal sites for children and teens 18 and under.
WIC Locations
Nutrition support for pregnant women, new mothers, and children under 5. Appointments are usually required.
Step 3
Radius filter
Choose 2 mi, 5 mi, or 10 mi to control how far from your search center Provide looks for resources. A wider radius shows more locations but may include sites that are farther away. You can change the radius at any time after searching.
Step 4
Walk vs Bus labels
Each result shows a Best: Walk or Best: Bus label. Provide compares estimated walking time to a combined bus trip (walk to stop, ride, walk to site) using NC transit data when available.
Best: Walk means walking is likely faster or transit is not available on a shared route. Best: Bus means a bus connection between your search center and the resource may be quicker. Open a location’s detail panel for nearest stop information.
Step 5
Food Scarcity heatmap
Turn on Food Scarcity Tracker in Filters to overlay USDA 2019 census tract data. Colors range from green (lower risk) through yellow and orange to red (severe low food access among low-income residents).
Tracts outlined in dark red are USDA-designated food deserts. Hover or tap a tract for percentages and context. Gray areas have no data available.
Step 6
NC Bus Routes layer
Enable NC bus routes after running a search. Route lines appear within your search radius; zoom in to level 13 or higher to see individual stop markers.
Routes load on first use. Tap a route or stop on the map for the agency and stop name.
Step 7
Share a search
After searching, use Share this search in the results header to copy a link that preserves your address, radius, and active filters. Send the link to a colleague or client so they see the same view.
You can also use Print list to generate a formatted resource list for handouts.
Step 8
Dark mode & font size
At the bottom of the Explorer sidebar (desktop), use Dark mode to switch between the default light panel and a high-contrast dark theme. Font size buttons A, A+, and A++ increase text size across the Explorer and this guide. Your choices are saved automatically.
Mobile tips
Using Provide on a phone
On mobile, the search bar stays pinned at the top. Tap Filters & map layers to choose SNAP, pantries, meals, WIC, the food scarcity tracker, and bus routes. After searching, swipe up on the results bar to peek at matches, or swipe down to tuck it away and see more map. Drag the map with one finger; double-tap a location to search there.