A list of all the local food banks, feeding programs and donation sites
By George Shaw
o Public school system – Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) set up a network of dozens of schools and community sites when the public education system moved to remote learning last spring. With public education transitioning to a hybrid system (1/3 in school; 2/3 distance learning plus a Virtual Academy) in August, this network for food distribution is scheduled to be largely shut down on August 31. Raleigh Dream Center, which has half a dozen sites in our area, has confirmed that they will eliminate those programs at the end of next month.
Many schools will continue to have curbside distributions as well as serving lunches on campus. Some community sites may continue if they serve an area not near a school. It will probably take several additional weeks for the WCPSS game plan to be completed and deployed.
o Unemployment benefits – in North Carolina benefits are a minimum of $15 and a maximum of $350 per week as of January 2020. The stimulus bill last spring provided for an additional $600 per week through the end of July for those who were unemployed. These combined benefits exceeded wages for many workers with wages less than $15.00 per hour. This reduced the demand for food at our pantries and distribution sites.
o Status of our pantries and feeding programs – Demand at the eight pantries in our area grew by 30+ percent from February to April and is currently about 15 percent higher than the pre-virus timeframe. This understates the impact of the economic dislocations as we are operating with 15 percent less capacity as two pantries remain closed or are on limited schedules.
Overall demand in our area increased much more significantly. This was met by the rapid growth of food distribution programs such as Raleigh Dream Center as well as by the early start of the Summer Nutrition Program at Hope House. The elimination of many of these distribution programs after the end of August will increase the pressure on the pantries.
Our pantries continue to experience shortfalls in supply from the food banks as well as other sources. Key gaps include canned goods, pasta and pasta sauce as well as other shelf stable food. Shortage of meat has become a growing concern during the last several weeks. Supplies of fresh produce are growing as the harvests come in and as new programs add to supply. These include fresh produce boxes, gleaning as well as two upcoming drops of 40,000 pounds of watermelons in the Triangle Area. Many individuals, businesses and organizations have donated generously.
o What can you do to help:
– Donate. Give canned goods and shelf stable goods directly, via campaigns at churches or at grocery stores. Donating cash to the pantries will give them increased flexibility financially to purchase scarce meat, rice and other items.
– Volunteer to drive. The food that is available is not necessarily where the need is. Drivers are needed to pick up food from gleaning, a program that will start up soon with Whole Foods as well as from the big watermelon drops.
List of programs (Note: This list includes Wake County Public School System distribution sites which are planned to shut down by August 31. The list will be updated in a couple of weeks when an updated county plan has been fully developed)
*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, 7 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
– Friday weekend special program (drive by)
*Oak Level Christian Church (2279 Cedar Creek Rd., Youngsville)
– Wednesdays, 9 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)
*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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