11 Things to know about the ABC11 Together Food Drive

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

THANK YOU! Together we crushed our goal of 1.5M meals to help our neighbors

Wednesday was drive up and drop off day in our 37th annual ABC11 Together Food Drive.

NORTH CAROLINA (WTVD) -- For more than three decades, the ABC11 Together Food Drive has partnered with The Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC and The Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeastern NC to put meals on the table for families across the Triangle and Sandhills areas.

Here are 11 things we want to share about the annual push and why the need is so great

1. Every $1 that you donate can provide 5 meals to individuals in need, thanks to the power of the Food Bank's partnerships.

2. One in 9 people is facing food insecurity in 34 counties and for children it is 1 in 7.

3. The Raleigh and Fayetteville Food Banks distribute food and other necessities to more than 700 partner agencies which include food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters in those counties.

4. The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina operates multiple gardens to grow fresh produce and offers classes and videos on nutritious cooking.

5. The Second Harvest Food Bank serves around 130,000 individuals in seven counties facing food insecurity. Those counties include Bladen, Cumberland, Duplin, Harnett, Hoke, Robeson and Sampson

6. In 2022, 16 million pounds of food was distributed, which is tantamount to 13 million meals because of your generous donations.

7. Second Harvest Food Bank's partner agencies have seen a 26% increase in those needing assistance in 2023. They serve over 45,000 individuals monthly in need of food assistance.

8. This is the 37th year ABC11 has worked with area food banks to stock their shelves for needy families

9. Our 2023 goal is1.5 million meals

10. There are multiple ways to give if you can't make it to a drop-off site. Volunteers staff a phone bank from 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on the day of our final push to hit that goal.

11. ABC11 Together's Motto is: "Together We Can Do More"

Good Morning America joined the efforts as a part of their Feeding America, Serving Up Kindness campaign.