Triangle hunger-relief groups see lower collections since Helene. Here’s how to donate
A few hunger-relief organizations in the Triangle have experienced lower-than-normal nonperishable food collections since Helene swept through Western North Carolina, resulting in some local families in need receiving less food.
In October, Porch Hillsborough — one of several Porch Communities locations in the Triangle — couldn’t offer families the same amount of food it previously has, Nora Dicker, the program manager for Porch Hillsborough, told The News & Observer in a phone call.
The organization typically distributes food to around 600 families in the community monthly, and of those, about 100 families referred to the distribution by school social workers receive food from Porch Hillsborough’s pantry. Last month, bags given to those 100 families were smaller.
“We certainly need to help our neighbors in the western part of the state, but there are still folks that are here in Hillsborough, in northern Orange County, that are depending on our distributions and the food that they get from us every month,” Dicker said.
Another Orange County-based group, Porch Chapel Hill-Carrboro, also received fewer donations in October, volunteer and communications manager Sofia Edelman told The N&O in a phone call. The group attributes the decline partially to individuals who contributed to hurricane recovery efforts instead of their local food pantry.
However, Porch Chapel Hill-Carrboro recently accepted additional nonperishable food donations, which may be related to “excitement” generated by the opening of the group’s new Community Hub, Edelman said. The building provides a permanent home for managing inventory and distributing food, replacing the drive-thru distribution system.
Garner Area Ministries has seen a decline in donations since the storm made landfall in late September, Kathy Blue, the organization’s president, told The N&O over the phone.
“We used to have huge amounts of the staples, you know, green beans and corn and pasta and stuff like that. And our pantry is not looking as full. Now, we have some, but we don’t have as much,” said Blue, who also leads Porch Garner.
For Garner Area Ministries, the recent drop continues a trend that began during COVID-19.
The group used to distribute bags filled with ingredients for a Thanksgiving feast — like turkey, stuffing, sides and dessert — around this time of year. But since the pandemic, Garner Area Ministries hasn’t received the same amount of holiday food donations.
When there aren’t enough donations to local hunger-relief groups, communities may be affected.
Porch Hillsborough has had to turn families away recently, but Dicker said this indicates that additional families need help, and not necessarily that the amount of donations has caused the organization to reduce the number of families it serves.
“But certainly, if we had more [donations], we have the possibility of creating bigger bags or rolling them over for the next month, in case that’s a lower collection as well,” Dicker said.
Garner Area Ministries deals with a lack of food contributions by spacing out distributions. For example, instead of providing food monthly, the organization distributes it every other month.
“When there’s not as much food to give out, we have to put out a plea to our various donors. And, you know, usually they come through,” Blue said.
How to donate to Porch Hillsborough
Porch Hillsborough is collecting canned and nonperishable food items in November and December.
Donations may be taken to Orange Middle School (308 Orange High School Road) on the following preferred dates:
- Monday, Nov. 18: 9:30 a.m.-noon and 12:30-3 p.m.
- Monday, Dec. 9: 9:30 a.m.-noon and 12:30-3 p.m.
Porch Hillsborough will also accept donations on:
- Wednesday, Nov. 20: 9:30 a.m.-noon
- Wednesday, Dec. 11: 9:30 a.m.-noon
Hillsborough residents may also donate through the monthly porch pickup collections. More information on this neighborhood-specific program is available on Porch Hillsborough’s website, porchcommunities.org/hillsborough.
Businesses including Nomad (122 W. King St.), Weaver Street Market (228 S. Churton St.), Cup-A-Joe (3100 Hillsborough St.), Cedar Walk Wellness Center (147 W. King St.), Cedar Grove Law (127 W. King St.), Eno River Dental (119 Mayo St.) and New Hope Market (6117 NC-86 in Chapel Hill) are collecting donations for Porch Hillsborough through Thursday, Dec. 19, Dicker said.
In November, Porch Hillsborough is asking for Thanksgiving-related food items, such as canned green beans, canned yams and boxed stuffing mix. Items requested for December are canned, hearty soups.
This holiday season, Porch Hillsborough is hosting a fundraiser to provide 1,000 $30 Food Lion gift cards to families in need. Visit Porch Hillsborough’s website and select “Donate” to contribute.
How to donate to Garner Area Ministries
Garner Area Ministries accepts financial donations, which are used to purchase food. Mail checks to: PO Box 797, Garner, N.C. 27529.
The food pantry, located at 568 Village Court in Garner, needs canned foods, and especially canned meats such as tuna and chicken.
How to donate to Porch Chapel Hill-Carrboro
Chapel Hill and Carrboro residents may donate food during a neighborhood porch pickup. The group also accepts financial donations.
Learn more about how to donate at chapelhill.porchcommunities.org.
This story was originally published November 15, 2024 at 3:28 PM with the headline "Triangle hunger-relief groups see lower collections since Helene. Here’s how to donate."
