As our community grapples with the threat of coronavirus, most of us are hunkered down at home, keeping our distance. But many of our friends and neighbors – in addition to health concerns – are also facing weeks of lost wages and missed meals because of school closures.
In the days and weeks to come, local food pantries expect more requests for assistance. As the crisis continues, their resources will be stretched thin.
While their individual needs vary, most of the following nonprofits need shelf-stable, nonperishable food and cleaning supplies. They also need your financial support. Your gift can feed someone this week, or down the road, it can help someone pay their rent or keep their lights on.
We may be practicing “social distancing,” but we don’t need to be isolated or unhelpful.
Dorcas Ministries
More families are expected to need food assistance in the coming weeks, so Dorcas requests food staples and cleaning supplies. The nonprofit needs bread, canned meat, rice, peanut butter, toothpaste, toilet paper, paper towels cleaning supplies. Items for the food pantry can be dropped off at the food pantry receiving door from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday-Friday. You can also order from Amazon, and have your donation delivered!
Western Wake Crisis Ministry
The nonprofit’s food pantry has shifted to curbside pickup, but food donations are still needed. Consider dropping off soup, pasta and sauce, canned meat, and snacks like crackers or cereal bars. Your gifts will directly help residents of Apex, New Hill, Friendship, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina and Willow Spring. Details and further schedule changes are available at wwcm.org.
Crosspointe Church/Northwest Cary YMCA
Volunteers are requesting food items that will be distributed to those families who qualify for free and reduced lunches at school. Requested items include macaroni and cheese, canned pasta and soups, canned meat, cereal, granola bars, juice boxes, shelf-stable milk, dried fruit, peanut butter crackers, popcorn and cheese crackers. Donations can be dropped off at the NW Cary YMCA on Friday, March 20, from 4 to 6 p.m. For up-to-date information, see the Crosspointe Facebook page.
Holly Springs Food Cupboard
Now that Wake County Schools are closed, the food pantry needs items to stock track-out bags, given to families of school-age children. The bags include soup, popcorn, shelf-stable milk, juice boxes or pouches, raisins and canned meat. Food can be dropped off 9-11 a.m. on Mondays or noon-5 p.m. on Thursdays. More information can be found on the nonprofit’s Facebook page.
Fuquay-Varina Emergency Food Pantry
The nonprofit has also shifted to curbside service for clients seeking food assistance. The pantry’s most urgent needs include peanut butter, toilet paper, canned soup, cereal, rice and pasta, canned meat and canned fruit and vegetables. Donations can be dropped off at Century 21 Triangle Group at 407 N. Judd Parkway, at Coldwell Banker at 528 N. Main St., or at the pantry on West Academy Street from 9 to 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday or 3 to 5:45 p.m. on Thursday. For details and directions, see fvfoodpantry.com.
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle
The nonprofit is providing frozen meals for children and families who are unable to access free and reduced meals at closed schools. Roughly 3,000 free meals were distributed on Monday, March 16, and Tuesday, March 17. Organizers want to be able to prepare meals for the next 8 weeks, and to do that, financial donations are needed.
Healthy volunteers are also needed to pack, drive and deliver for the food shuttle’s various programs, which include Backpack Buddies and Grocery Bags for Seniors. For information, visit foodshuttle.org.
Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina
The nonprofit is focusing on collecting and distributing shelf-stable items and family-sized boxes of food, to help people remain safely at home. As the weeks ahead will be uncertain, the Food Bank is also asking for financial support, which allows the nonprofit to efficiently meet demand as it unfolds. Through the end of March, donations will be matched up to $122,00. For information or to donate, visit foodbankcenc.org.
