This information is provided by George Shaw as his contribution to the community during this pandemic.
The Big Picture
Unemployment. The COVID-19 curve is flattening; the impact of unemployment is becoming more clear. Another 5 million Americans filed for unemployment during the prior week, bringing the total to over 22 million which is approaching 15% of the non-farm labor force nationally.
The unemployment rate for North Carolina increased from 3.6% in mid-February to 4.4% through mid-March. That rate primarily measures full time employment. There was also significant reduction in part-time employment as well as an increase in individuals dropping out of the workforce. Among categories of workers, teenagers had the largest decrease in employment.
Unemployment data that reflect the surge after mid-March will not be available for another 2-3 weeks at the national level. Corresponding data for North Carolina and Wake County will not be posted until the second half of May. The forecast for unemployment in Wake County through the end of the year is expected to be 6-10%.
Impact on food distribution. Overall demand at local pantries is up around 25% compared to a month ago. The proportion of clients who have never been to specific pantries remains high. There has been significant growth in some of the feeding programs. Raleigh Dream Center’s 19 sites in Wake County have distributed more than 30,000 meals a week. The lunchtime distribution program at the Northern Regional Center has ranged from 200 to about 400 children each day during the week.
Supply of food to pantries and distribution programs has been uneven. Donations from grocery stores have been lower than normal. The food banks are increasing their partnerships with food distributors who are looking for new market channels with the limited operations of many restaurants but these will probably require a number of weeks to start impacting food supply.
There are two big unknowns for both demand and supply of food for those in need. The Wake County order to stay-in-place currently runs through April 30. Similarly, Wake County public schools remain suspended until May 15. If these are extended, demand at our pantries and feeding programs are expected to continue to increase.
New Initiatives and Updates
Summer Nutrition Program. The community wide program that was at the Alston-Massenburg Center last summer has moved to Hope House as town facilities are currently closed. The Summer Nutrition Program is open Monday through Wednesdays from 5 to 6 pm. The food is coming from Boston Market in Raleigh. Distribution is both curbside as well as walk-through which enables social distancing. Eighty meals were distributed to children and adults on Monday; the number of meals is expected to increase significantly as the program continues.
The Mobile Food truck from Wake Forest Baptist Church is suspended. They have distributed food in the parking lot at Olive Branch Baptist Church for years. As this program is on Wednesday evenings, it overlaps with Summer Nutrition Program.
Community Gardens. All three community gardens are planting crops and are open to all volunteers. Each is currently has a limit of 10 volunteers on Saturday morning. Our gardens are: Community Connections Garden (sponsored by Wake Forest Baptist Church at 118 S. East St.), the Giving Garden at Wake Forest Presbyterian (12605 N. Capital Blvd) and Spring St. Garden sponsored by the Northeast Community Coalition (next to Spring St. Church).
The Giving Garden is making weekly donations of lettuce, spinach, chard, and kale. The broccoli, cabbage, onions, carrots, potatoes and strawberries planted in February and March are thriving, and our early tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants are doing well despite the recent cold nights.
If readers are interested in growing food for themselves or their neighbors or for donation, the Giving Garden has many seeds to share at no cost that can be started in April in our area. These include but are not limited to basil, beans, peppers, collards, cucumber, dill, eggplant, kale, lettuce, peas, pumpkin, radish, sage, squash, sweet corn, tomatoes, watermelon, and zucchini.
Blessing Box. Although Hope House’s food distribution on Thursday afternoon is suspended, the Blessing Box which is beyond the pavilion is very active. Please donate canned goods or shelf stable food. The address is 334 N. Allen St.
Rice Distribution. Volunteers from Richland Creek and the Methodist Church bagged the final 900 pounds of rice that was transferred from Rise Against Hunger. The rice was distributed to four area pantries plus feeding programs at Turnberry Apartments sponsored by Wake Forest Presbyterian Church and at the North Regional Center.
How residents can help
There are several ways that residents in our area can help:
Donate food 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 homebound citizens.
Vegetable Gardens. Either volunteer at one of our three area programs or plant your own garden.
Reduce Isolation. There are opportunities to help fellow residents in this time of uncertainty. Please call, email or text someone you know to make sure they are okay.
Distribution 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 pm
North Wake Church (1212 S. Main St., WF)
– Sundays, 8:45 to 10:30 am
Northern Regional Center (350 E. Holding St., WF)
– Mondays – Thursdays lunch/breakfast program (drive by)
– Friday weekend special program (drive by)
Oak Level Christian Church (2279 Cedar Creek Rd. Youngsville)
– Wednesdays, 11 am – 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 am
– Saturdays starting at 10 am
Richland Creek Community Church (3229 Burlington Mill Rd., WF)
– 2nd & 4th Saturdays (drive through)
Rolesville High School (1099 E. Young St., Rolesville.)
– Wake County Public School System Children & Family Meal Site
– Weekdays, 11 am to 1 pm
Rolesville Middle School (4700 Burlington MIlls Dr., Rolesville)
– Wake County Public School System Children & Family Meal Site
– Weekdays, 11 am to 1 pm
Tri-Area Ministry (149 E. Holding St., WF)
– Mondays, Wednesdays & 3rd Saturdays, 10 am to 1 pm (drive through)
– Food distribution at Spring St. Church (northeast WF) 4th Saturday
Universal Outreach (4913 Universal Dr., WF)
– 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 9-11 am
Wake Forest Baptist Church
– Good Neighbor Ministry, Saturdays at 11 am 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)
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