Michael Burger, chairman of the volunteer board at Tri-Area Ministry, sent out this update this week.
Hello neighbors,
Despite these chaotic times, we’re proud to report that our community remains strong. The number of families that we serve swelled from 800 in March to 1,200 in April, and is on track to serve at least that many in May.
Our community has come through with both food and cash donations so that we have been able to supply a consistent 65 pounds of food to each family. We have been able to supplement donated food with spot purchases so we are able to provide fresh vegetables, fruit, meat, bread, eggs, butter, milk as well as non-perishables such as cereal, rice, beans, pasta, peanut butter, jelly, soup and canned vegetables.
We’ve also been able to support the Northern Community Food Security Team by providing food for the Weekend Meal Program being run at the Northern Regional Center in Wake Forest. In addition, we’re doing remote outreach in May and June in Clayton, with the Partnership for Children of Johnston County.
We’ve (finally) received our Certificate of Occupancy for our newly renovated building. Thanks to the hard work of our volunteers, project Manager Bryan Sullivan and our contractors Integrity Services Group and Blue Hat Mechanical, we have moved most of our operations back inside from our temporary setup in the parking lot. We’re getting good use out of our new walk-in refrigerator and freezer; both are filling up quickly with donations – especially the refrigerator with fresh vegetables from several community gardens.
Special thanks go out – as always – to our dedicated team of volunteers. Each day that we’re open, we distribute an astonishing 3 TONS of food! Our volunteers go above and beyond to make that happen and we couldn’t be more proud or thankful.
As the effects of the economic slowdown continue to be felt, we expect that there will continue to be a growing need for food in our community. Thank you again for your strong and continued support as we work together to make sure that no one among us has to wonder where their next meal will come from.
Together, we #StopHungerFeedHope.
On behalf of our Board of Directors,
Michael Burger, Board Chair
