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Byrd Ridge Crisis Center began in 2001 as an outreach ministry of Peace Haven Baptist Church, led by the Baptist Young Women with a heart for helping families in need throughout our community.
 

In December 2002, the ministry was formally established as the Peace Haven Food Pantry. As the outreach continued to grow, so did the number of people supporting its mission. The name Byrd Ridge Crisis Center was adopted to reflect that this ministry had become much more than an outreach of one church. Over the years, volunteers and supporters from numerous churches, church associations, community organizations, and individuals have joined together to serve families throughout Wilkes County.
 

Byrd Ridge Crisis Center receives no government funding. The food and assistance provided to families are made possible entirely through the generosity of churches, organizations, businesses, and individuals who donate food and financial resources. We believe the Lord has called us to help our neighbors in need, allowing us to serve families with compassion and dignity without outside entities determining whom we can or cannot assist.
 

Today, Byrd Ridge Crisis Center provides food assistance to approximately 40–45 families each month. It takes an estimated $24,000 each year in donated food and financial contributions to continue meeting the needs of families throughout Wilkes County.
 

In 2026, another important chapter began when the decision was made to establish Byrd Ridge Crisis Center as its own independent organization. The Center was officially incorporated in the State of North Carolina and, for the first time in its history, established a Board of Directors and Executive Director to provide leadership and oversight for the ministry. Our application for recognition as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is currently under review by the Internal Revenue Service.
 

One thing, however, has not changed: Byrd Ridge Crisis Center is powered entirely by volunteers. No member of our staff receives a salary or compensation for their service, and we are committed to keeping it that way.

For more than two decades, our mission has remained simple: to serve our neighbors, meet needs with compassion, and demonstrate the love of Christ to families throughout Wilkes County.