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.
Impact of school opening on feeding students, families
Governor Cooper announced Tuesday the game plan for re-opening schools in North Carolina. North Carolina will adopt a hybrid approach of a mix of in-classroom and remote learning. This plan involves students rotating schedules, with some students not coming onto campus at all. Families will also be allowed the option of completely virtual learning. s North Carolina will remain in Phase 2 of its re-opening, the schools will employ social distancing guidelines.
The reopening of the schools is likely to have significant impact on our pantries and food distribution programs. Demand at pantries in our area has flattened out in recent months. The number of clients is currently around 20 percent higher than it was in February. And many of the customers are first time recipients of food. The large growth in our area has come from food distribution programs via the county government and faith based organizations.
Summer Nutrition Programs sponsored by the Wake County Public School System are planned to end by the time that schools reopen in the first half of August. Planning is in process to provide food to families who elect to use virtual learning as their option as well as those who are not at the school during certain weeks.
In addition, if stimulus programs are not extended beyond the end of July, there is likely to be an increase in the number of clients at pantries.
All this is likely to increase demand at our pantries during the next two months.
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.
Food distribution programs
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.
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