NC nonprofits, restaurants organize to help families as food insecurity concerns grow

ByJon Dowding WTVD logo

Sunday, November 2, 2025

Nonprofits, restaurants assist NC families with food needs

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Nonprofits and restaurants in the Triangle are offering meals and food items to families facing food insecurity.

Concerns over food insecurity are growing as access to SNAP benefits for families ended Saturday, Nov. 1.

Durham Rescue Mission vice president Ernie Mills Jr. says they're already hearing some concerns grow.

"We have neighbors that are quite possibly going to be hurting now," he said. "We're hearing a lot of worry, a lot of speculation, a lot of concern. How is this going to play out and how is this going to affect us?"

Mills says the Durham Rescue Mission is preparing for a greater need from the community for hot meals and food items.

He says they've already put out a call to the community asking for donations to meet that need.

"We need nonperishable food items," he said. "We're coming up on a time of the year where we feed a lot more people anyway. Then this is another layer on top of that. So, we need the food."

Also in the Bull City, the restaurant Cheeni downtown is offering a free hot meal to anyone in need - no questions asked.

Cheeni Owner & Chef Preeti Waas says they felt they needed to do something to help.

"What are we without community? None of us are on islands," she said. "Food is a basic human right. And the fact that we have access to it and there's so many millions of people who are not going to have access to it, it's not something that sits easy with me or my daughter."

Waas says those looking for a hot meal should ask for the "Daily Special", and to bring a container if the meal is to-go.

"If we don't build a community that is tangible, where we can see each other, give each other a hug and a plate of food for someone, that is what community is," she said.