Volunteers at food bank pack 30K meals to fight food insecurity in the Sandhills
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- More than 120 volunteers gathered at the Crown Complex to pack tens of thousands of meals for neighbors in need, as food insecurity continues to affect thousands across southeast North Carolina.
Organizers with Second Harvest Food Bank say the demand is growing, with an estimated 139,000 people in the region facing food insecurity.
From filling 5,000 boxes to sharing laughter, volunteers worked through the morning with a clear mission, to help fight hunger.
"I woke up at 6:00 to come here," said volunteer Toni Robison.
Robison, a retired banker, said her professional experience showed her how deeply financial insecurity can affect people's lives.
"I came from finance. And the people were the most fear they had was outliving their money so they'd be afraid to spend their money. And what a horrible fear to work all your life and still feel like that you you may not be shelter or food," Robison said.
Each year, Second Harvest supports nearly 60,000 food-insecure students in southeast North Carolina and about 800 homeless students in Cumberland County. During this event alone, volunteers packed 30,000 meals for students and organizations that serve seniors.
David Griffin, director of Second Harvest Food Bank, said the effort is about more than just food.
"Sometimes when you're going through something, you're like, nobody cares about what's happening to me at home. Why am I going to all of this? But you realize that your neighbor does care," Griffin said.
For volunteers like Sharan Golston, the work is personal. A longtime Fayetteville resident, she said she once relied on similar support.
"During the COVID years, they had several distribution sites, and I was able to go pick up food and distribute it to other senior citizens who couldn't get out," Golston said.
As inflation continues to drive up the cost of food and transportation, organizers say resources are being stretched thin.
"Everything is going up. And so we were trying to ask the public to really assist us because our shelves are a little bit low," Griffin said.
He added that rising fuel and supply costs have significantly impacted operations.
"At one point you can get a truckload for say, $20,000 cheaper than what they would be now because of the cost involved. They pass on the transportation costs to the food bank," Griffin said.
Despite the challenges, volunteers say even a few hours can make a difference.
"It may not be much an hour or 2 hours of your time. We dedicated 4 hours today to help the community pack lunches," said volunteer Courtney Wigfall Bowens.
Robison, who recruited others through social media, said community involvement is key.
"I put it on my Facebook page and said, okay, who wants to join me? And several. But timing wasn't good for a couple of folks. And my friend Deb is a retired schoolteacher and she also has a passion for the same," she said.
Golston echoed the sentiment, calling volunteering "a great opportunity to give back to the community."
The packed boxes will soon be delivered to schools across the region and to organizations serving seniors. Each kit is designed to provide balanced nutrition.
"The kit has a little bit of everything really is the milk is a protein for us, meats and things of that nature," Griffin said.
For Griffin, the mission is also rooted in personal experience.
"I grew up in rural South Carolina. My dad was it he couldn't read. I my mom had an eighth-grade education. So they worked they worked two jobs. They worked very hard, but it was very hard for them to make ends meet. So they had to go out and do everything they could," he said.
He said rising prices continue to strain the food bank's inventory, but community support remains critical.
"To be able to help your neighbors, that's what it's all about," Griffin said.
Organizers say volunteers are always needed and encourage community members to get involved.
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Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina
Second Harvest Food Bank Southeast NC
