NOTE: This is a joint news release with the Wake County Public School System.
Since March, COVID-19 has disrupted a normal school year for students and life continues to look different for families going into the holiday season. Wake County Cooperative Extension, Wake County Public School System (WCPSS), Interfaith Food Shuttle and food distribution hub partners are stepping up to ensure families & students have access to food through the month of December.
“No child should go hungry in Wake County – especially during the holidays,” said Wake County Commissioner Dr. James West. “I’m proud that, together, we’re sharing healthy, nutritious food at no cost with children and their families who might otherwise go without during the holiday break.”
More than 5.9 million meals and 110 thousand emergency food boxes have been distributed to children and families at 212 locations across Wake County since March 16, thanks to WCPSS and the massive grassroots effort that the NC Cooperative Extension-Wake County Center has led with more than 50 partners across the county.
Locations offering special holiday distributions include:
- Poole Family YMCA
- Knightdale Station YMCA
- White Oak Church
- Tri-Area Ministries
- Pine Acres
- Kirk of Kildaire
- SE Raleigh YMCA
- Carver Center
- Juniper Level
- Zebulon United Methodist Church
“This is a stunning show of collaboration between public and private organizations, with strong support from volunteers,” said Wake County Public School Board Chair Keith Sutton. “We know 2020 has been hard on many in Wake County and across the country. We’re proud to be a part of a community committed to ensuring our students and families have access to these meals and services, demonstrating that even during a pandemic, Wake County residents can come through for one another.”
Wake County’s partners in the food program include:
- Wake County Public School System
- NC Cooperative Extension
- Inter-Faith Food Shuttle
- Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC
- Western Region Food Security Action Team
- North Regional Community Food Security Team
- Dream Center
- Overflowing Hands
- Zebulon United Methodist Church
- Pleasant Grove Baptist Church
- YMCA at Knightdale Station
- SE Raleigh YMCA
- Poole Road YMCA
- The Produce Box
Funding for this ongoing food security work has been made possible through the Federal CAREs funding through Wake County & the USDA Summer Food Program, which has been expanded due to COVID-19 and school closures.
“In Wake County, our faith-based partners and community volunteers have shown tremendous dedication, stepping up to serve as a leaders to 14 distinct community food hubs who have provided stability and important resources for our families,” said NC Cooperative Extension-Wake County Center Director Katherine Williams. “We are so proud of the work our partnerships have been able to accomplish during this time.”
For an up-to-date listing of all meal sites, food pantries, mobile food markets and emergency food boxes, visit the Wake County COVID-19 website. Food safety measures are being followed, and ID is not required to access any of these services. For those who wish to help, food donations can be taken to the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle or Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC.
