October 12, 2022

What a glorious Saturday morning at the Center of Hope! Not only were the volunteers bustling about but also the UNC Pharmacy Eshleman School of Pharmacy interns setting up for blood pressure and glucose checks. Flu vaccines were also offered to neighbors and volunteers. We are very appreciative of Walgreens sponsoring this event. 113 households representing 389 individuals and seven new neighbors shopped for healthy food choices this week.

Last night at the Executive Committee meeting, we welcomed Mason Heth, his father, and his scout master. Mason, candidate for an Eagle Scout project, presented a very thorough and thoughtful plan to build two picnic tables with benches for The Lord's Acre, our garden. This project will be in partnership with Mason, his Christ School peers, and the Pantry. His timeline includes assembling the tables on site with completion in the spring of 2023.

Bright Farms donated Harvest Crunch Lettuce, Milco contributed several gallons of milk, while City Bakery and Ingles donated bread. Dollar General, Mills Gap Road, donated several gallons of milk. A donor bought items from Bimbos Bakery department and five cases of apples were contributed from another donor. Shopping locally we purchased items from Ingles (canned goods and meat), Sav-Mor (milk and eggs), MANNA, and JMJ Tomato Company (potatoes, onions, squash).

On behalf of the executive committee, thank you to our volunteers and our area churches, civic groups, local merchants, and families for all you do to feed our community helping to reduce food insecurity.