George Shaw is the author/investigator/ collector of the information in this pandemic-created weekly article, letting people who have lost jobs and much more where to find food for their families. It also tells the rest of us how we can help those who need it.
The Big Picture
Phase 2 of Reopening – An additional partial relaxation of North Carolina’s stay-at-home order was announced last week. This means that more businesses have reopened but that operations with a high density of people generally remain closed. In addition, indoor gatherings of more than 10 people other than family are not suggested. The corresponding figure for outdoor events is 25. Additional relaxation will enable additional people to go back to work but in many cases at half or less of capacity. A full reopening for North Carolina is not expected until late June at the earliest.
April unemployment data – Data was released last Friday for the Raleigh area (broader than Wake County) and covered the period through the week of April 12, several weeks into the stay-in-place order.
Total non-farm employment was down 98,000 in the prior month, a decrease of 14 percent. This is close to the national average of 15 percent. In addition, about 30,000 probably left the area workforce. Leisure and hospitality jobs in the Raleigh area declined 61 percent, followed by manufacturing (-14 percent) and education & health services (-13 percent).
Longer term outlook – The forecast from the Congressional Budget Office was updated on May 19. Their forecast from April 2020 assumed that unemployment at the national level would remain around 10 percent through the end of 2021. Their revised forecast has reduced that figure to 8.6 percent by the end of next year but that unemployment would remain at 6 percent through the end of 2025. Although the outlook 18 months from now is modestly improved, unemployment is likely to remain stubbornly high for a long period of time.
Impact on Food Security – The relatively slow recovery of unemployment means that the demand at area food pantries and distribution programs will remain high for at least several years. In addition, several food distribution programs which were suspended in March are likely to remain inactive until full reopening of the state.
Updates
Surge in demand for pantries – Overall demand in our area has increased about 35 percent since February. Customers at Tri-Area Ministry increased about 50 percent during April (from 800 to 1200 families). The numbers in May are reduced from the April peak. Richland Creek has had 200 or more families when they have been open recently, up from a pre-virus average of 140-150 clients. New Bethel Baptist’s pantry resumed operations in mid-May on Tuesdays. They plan to reopen on the third Saturdays when there is further relaxation of the state guidelines.
New applications for the SNAP program for Wake County increased from 3,000 in April 2019 to 7,000 this April. The able-body requirement has been waived for now as has the periodic recertification of need.
Supply at pantries is uneven – The supply of food to pantries has been augmented both by the continued generosity of area organizations and citizens as well as by additional programs from the two area food banks. The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina started a new federal program called the Coronavirus assistance program on May 19. Inter-Faith Food Shuttle is supplying produce boxes to pantries affiliated with them.
Several pantries are currently experiencing shortages of canned food as well as shelf-stable food and hygiene products. All pantries can use fresh produce from local vegetable gardens to supplement what is donated by area community gardens. Area pantries can always use donations of money to buy additional supplies at the food banks at discounted prices.
Food distribution programs continuing – Many of the curbside distribution sites in our area are tied to the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) program to provide food to students when the schools are closed. WCPSS sites will continue through the summer as this program melds into the annual Summer Meal Program. The US Department of Agriculture has waived traditional eligibility rules for new sites.
The Summer Nutrition Program at Hope House is capped at 100 adults and children for Monday through Wednesday evenings. Many organizations continue to donate to augment the dinners provided by Boston Market. These recently have included a large family-sized salad provided by the Lemon Tree, chicken sandwiches from Chick Fil-A, sandwiches and snacks prepared by the staff at Heritage High School as well as fresh fruit by the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle.
How residents can help
There are several ways that residents in our area can help:
Donate to pantries. Our pantries that remain open need canned and shelf stable food as well as hygiene products. The best time to donate to them is in the hour before they open for customers.
Organize drive-through food drives. These are easy for organizations to set up. It helps to have a protected space such as a patio protected from the elements as well as an area indoors where the food can be stored overnight.
Donate funds. Food pantries spend much of donated funds on what they need to ensure customers receive nutritious food. This includes fresh produce at grocery stores as well as weekly pick-ups from the food bank in Raleigh. The food bank charges pantries 19 cents a pound for most items including meat.
Identify resources. The Northeast Community Coalition and other organizations are looking for non-profits that can help residents with needs arising from the economic consequences of the virus.
Volunteer. As the number of customers rises, there may be a need for more volunteers at our pantries and feeding programs. There is particular need for younger volunteers who are at least risk of catching the virus. Gleaning in the fields to pick crops will start up late spring under the sponsorship of the Society of St. Andrew (SoSA).
Drive. There will also likely be an increased requirement for folks who are willing to help out by driving. This includes transporting food between pantries as well as delivering food to home bound citizens.
Programs and Contact Information
Please contact the Wake Forest Gazette or George Shaw (g0b07shaw@gmail.com) if you are aware of additional programs or would like to start one.
*Glory Tabernacle (120 Weather St., Youngsville)
– Tuesdays, 2 p.m.
*New Bethel Baptist Church (605 E. Young St., Rolesville)
– Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
– 3rd Saturdays, 8 to 10 a.m.
*North Wake Church (1212 S. Main St., Wake Forest)
– Sundays, 8:45 to 10:30 a.m.
*Northern Regional Center (350 E. Holding St., Wake Forest)
– Mondays – Thursdays lunch/breakfast program (drive by)
– Friday weekend special program (drive by)
*Oak Level Christian Church (2279 Cedar Creek Rd., Youngsville)
– Wednesdays, 11 a.m. – 12 noon
*Raleigh Dream Center (programs at New Hope Village in Northeast as well as mobile home parks in Rolesville and Youngsville)
– Weekdays starting at 11:30 a.m.
– Saturdays starting at 10 a.m.
*Richland Creek Community Church (3229 Burlington Mill Rd., Wake Forest)
– 2nd & 4th Saturdays (drive through)
*Rolesville High School (1099 E. Young St., Rolesville.)
– Wake County Public School System Children & Family Meal Site
– Weekdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
*Rolesville Middle School (4700 Burlington MIlls Dr., Rolesville)
– Wake County Public School System Children & Family Meal Site
– Weekdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
*Sanford Creek Elementary (701 Granite Falls Road, Rolesville)
– Wake County Public School System Children & Family Meal Site
– Weekdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
*Summer Nutrition Program – at Hope House (334 N. Allen St., Wake Forest)
– Mondays – Wednesdays, 5+ p.m.
*Tri-Area Ministry (149 E. Holding St., Wake Forest)
– Mondays, Wednesdays & third Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (drive through)
– Food distribution at Spring St. Church (northeast Wake Forest) fourth Saturday
*Universal Outreach (4913 Universal Dr., Wake Forest)
– 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 9-11 a.m.
*Wake Forest Baptist Church
– Good Neighbor Ministry, Saturdays at 11 a.m. passes out hot dogs and water at Taylor St. Park
– Mobile Market (partnered with Inter Faith Food Shuttle, 3rd Tuesday starting at 4 pm (drive through)
*Rocky Top Catering Truck
– Mondays and Thursdays providing a refrigerated family dinner to anyone who needs it
It is parked at 1 Dannon Court in Ponderosa Park from 12 to 12:30 p.m. and then at Star Road and Doris Lane from 1:05 to 1:30 p.m.
#
