This information is provided by George Shaw as his contribution to the community during this pandemic.
Big Picture
North Carolina eases stay-at-home order. Governor Roy Cooper announced yesterday that the existing stay-at-home restrictions would be eased starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 8 in a phased approach. Under Phase 1 businesses that had not been considered essential would be able to be open up to 50% of capacity. Worship services may be conducted outside as long as social distancing is practiced. Indoor groups would remain restricted to 10 people. Additional easing of restrictions in a Phase 2 depends on continued progress in flattening the curve as well as testing, tracking and provision of personal protection equipment. No decision is likely to be made before May 22.
Unemployment likely to remain a significant issue. Updated national unemployment figures will be released on May 8; estimates for states and major metropolitan areas late in May. The peak rate nationally is likely to be around 15% during the middle of this year. Although this rate will probably decline to near 10% by the end of 2020, a forecast from the Congressional Budget Office expects the unemployment rate to remain at 9.5% through the end of 2021. Unemployment is not forecast to return to pre-virus levels for five or more years.
Unemployment rates for Wake County rose from 3.2% in February to 3.7% in March 2020, figures somewhat lower than the national data. Information through the middle of April for North Carolina and Wake County is scheduled for release on May 22.
Impact on Food Security. If unemployment remains near 10% for the next 18+ months, the demand at area pantries and distribution programs will probably remain abnormally high for several years. The easing of North Carolina restrictions on businesses under Phase 1 is likely to have a moderate impact on reducing the rising rate of unemployment.
The continued limit of gatherings of 10 or less people will continue to restrict the number of volunteers that can support pantries and food distribution programs. It will also constrain the size of gleaning events as well as some of the food distribution programs where the bagging is done by groups in churches.
Food Security Updates and Initiatives
Demand has increased. The increase in overall demand at local pantries and food distribution programs remains about 25%. The big growth has been in food distribution programs such as the Raleigh Dream Center sites as well as the acceleration of the Wake Forest Summer Nutrition Programs. The growth in our area is less than the estimate of 40+% across the country reported by Feeding America, the umbrella organization for about 200 food banks nationally.
Supply is currently adequate. Our pantries and distribution programs are receiving sufficient supplies to meet the increase in demand. Wake Forest residents remain generous in donating shelf stable foods and money. The two food banks that serve Wake County (Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina and the Inter Faith Food Shuttle) have established some innovative programs including partnerships with major food distributors such as Sysco as well as family boxes delivered locally.
In addition, the food pantry at New Bethel Baptist Church (605 E. Young St., Rolesville) will resume limited operations starting Tuesday, May 12, from 10 am to 2 pm. They do plan to go back to a full set of dates (Tuesday mornings, Thursdays 2-4 pm and 3rd Saturdays) once stay-at-home orders are relaxed further.
Rolesville is focused on food security. In addition to community wide initiatives in Wake Forest, Rolesville has accelerated food drives and distribution programs. They are identifying additional neighborhoods for curbside distribution.
School feeding programs likely to change. The Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) program to ensure that children and families in need have access to food has driven much of the growth in food distribution across Wake Forest and Rolesville this year. The programs in Wake Forest include the Northern Regional Center, Wake Forest Baptist Church, Summer Nutrition Center at Hope House as well as sites at Star Road and Ponderosa Park sponsored by the Rocky Top catering truck.
It is unclear how long the WCPSS sites will continue as curbside distribute areas as this initiative was in response to the virus and the closing of schools. The main program to feed students who are not at school has traditionally been the Summer Nutrition Program. This has been at the Northern Regional Center as well as the Alston Massenberg Center. The latter program which is sponsored by around ten organizations started up two weeks ago at Hope House.
How can you help?
In addition to donating shelf stable food and money to area pantries, you can start up or expand a vegetable garden. Seeds are available from the community garden at Wake Forest Presbyterian Church. Master Gardeners in our area can help you with your garden. Ongoing Programs.
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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