Community Resources
The library, food assistance, senior services, veterans organizations, community groups, mental health resources, and where to volunteer. A directory of the people and places that hold Wake Forest together.
Quick Actions
Library
Wake Forest Community Library (Wake County Public Library system)
- Address: 400 E. Holding Ave., Wake Forest
- Phone: 919-554-8498
- Hours: Mon–Thu 9 a.m.–9 p.m. · Fri–Sat 9 a.m.–6 p.m. · Sun 1–5 p.m.
Wake County residents can sign up for a free card in person with photo ID and proof of address, or online for immediate digital-only access.
Library Card Signup →Food Assistance
Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry
- Address: 149 E. Holding Ave., Wake Forest
- Hours: Mon & Wed, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. · 2nd & 3rd Sat of the month, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
- Requirements: No appointment, income requirement, or proof of residency needed
- Web: triareaministry.com
WIC (Women, Infants & Children)
- Location: Northern Regional Center, 350 E. Holding Ave., Wake Forest
- Phone: 919-250-4720
- WIC hours: Tue & Wed, 8:30 a.m.–noon and 2–5 p.m.
Senior Services & Transportation
Wake Forest Center for Active Aging
Town-operated senior center offering fitness, dance, arts and crafts, woodcarving, ceramics, educational workshops, and special events. Open to adults age 55 and older.
- Address: 235 E. Holding Ave., Wake Forest
- Phone: 919-554-4111
- Web: wakeforestnc.gov/wake-forest-center-active-aging
GoWake Access — Senior & Disability Transportation
Door-to-door shared-ride service for adults 60+, people with disabilities, Medicaid participants, and rural Wake County residents.
Phone: 919-212-7005 · More info
Veterans Services
Wake County Veterans Services
Northern Regional Center, 350 E. Holding Ave., Wake Forest · Open Tue/Wed/Thu, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
wake.gov/veterans-services
American Legion Post 187
225 E. Holding Ave., Wake Forest
VFW Memorial Post 8466
Meets first Thursday of each month at the American Legion building, 225 E. Holding Ave. Dinner 6 p.m., meeting 7 p.m.
Phone: 919-263-9522 · vfw8466.org
Wake County VA Clinic
3040 Hammond Business Place, Raleigh · 919-899-6259 · VA clinic info
Community Organizations & Civic Groups
Northeast Community Coalition (NECC)
Grassroots organization in Wake Forest’s Northeast End. Organizes the annual Juneteenth celebration and community programming centered at Taylor Street Park / Alston-Massenburg Center.
Wake Forest Pride
Nonprofit promoting LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Organizes the annual Wake Forest Pride Fest each October downtown. 2026 Pride Fest: Saturday, Oct. 10, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., E. Owen Ave. & Brooks St. Theme: “Roots & Resilience”.
Rotary Clubs
- Rotary Club of Wake Forest — Mondays, 6:30 p.m., The Forks Cafeteria · wakeforestrotary.org
- Wakefield/Wake Forest Rotary Club — Thursdays, 8 a.m., Heritage Golf Club · wakefieldrotarync.com
Other service clubs
- Wake Forest Lions Club
- Wake Forest Optimist Club
- Kiwanis Club of Wake Forest
For a fuller directory of clubs and organizations, the Wake Forest Gazette listing is the most current source.
Arts & Culture
The Cotton Company
306 S. White St., Wake Forest · 919-570-0087 · thecottoncompany.net
Marketplace with 60+ vendors, an art gallery with 20+ local artists, resident studio artists, and The Graham event space.
Wake Forest Historical Museum
414 N. Main St., Wake Forest · 919-556-2911 · wakeforestmuseum.org
Free admission. Hours: Tue–Sat 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
For the broader regional arts and culture roundup, see our Things to Do guide.
Early Childhood & Family Services
Wake County Smart Start
Supports early childhood education and development for families across Wake County. wakesmartstart.org
WCPSS Pre-K
Wake County Public School System pre-K programs. Apply through WCPSS. wcpss.net
WIC
See Food Assistance section above for the Wake Forest WIC office at Northern Regional Center.
Mental Health & Crisis Services
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988, 24/7 mental health, suicide, and substance use crisis support. 988lifeline.org
- Daymark Recovery Services — Behavioral health and substance use treatment. daymarkrecovery.org
- Network of Care — Wake County — Comprehensive service directory for mental health and social services: mentalhealth.networkofcare.org/wake-nc
- InterAct of Wake County — Domestic violence and sexual assault services, 24-hour crisis line: 919-828-7740. See the Public Safety page for full details.
Volunteer & Giving
- United Way of the Greater Triangle — Volunteer matching across Wake, Durham, Orange, and Johnston counties. unitedwaytriangle.org/volunteer
- Activate Good — Triangle-area volunteer opportunities. activategood.org
- Volunteer Wake Forest — Town-coordinated opportunities. wakeforestnc.gov volunteer
Related Pages
- Newcomers Checklist — first-week setup for new residents
- Cost of Living — childcare subsidies, healthcare costs, housing context
- Public Safety — hotlines and crisis support
Know a Wake Forest organization that should be on this list?
This page is a living directory. If a community group, support service, or volunteer opportunity is missing, tell us and we will add it.