To help open access to healthy foods for communities experiencing hunger. The CPN and Roundtable will work to distribute information about food resources and recruit contributions for partnering members that distribute food supplies in the communities. Together, organizations such as The Food Bank of Eastern North Carolina, Catholic Charities, Meals on Wheels, Raleigh Dream Center, and Brown Bag Ministries have served millions of meals in our region to families that found themselves unable to access food for their households. The Food Security Roundtable is purposed to raise awareness, sponsor of food access events, recruit community resources specific to food access, assist communities in connecting with services and food pantries, and/or support the work and Food Circles of the Capital Area Food Network.
Growing up in Eastern North Carolina, I was always cognizant of our State’s agricultural roots and presence in the marketplace. It was a shock to learn that North Carolina has the 10th highest rate of food insecurity in the country. It seems unfathomable – but this is more than a factoid. Food security is a critical and fundamental community need that can be connected to lack of affordable housing, the need for livable wages, health disparities, and even education as both the challenge of teaching hungry children as well as food distribution for qualifying families through the school systems under the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act.
Prior to COVID-19, 14% of Wake County’s population was considered food insecure. This was expected to climb to as high as 38% by December of 2020. The final figures for 2020 have not yet been reported, but we do know the demand for community support around hunger is NOT subsiding. Wake County has invested over 3 million in CARES Act and County funding towards food relief since March 2020. Wake County Human Services help serve over 7000 meals in partnership with Interfaith Food Shuttle, Food Bank CENC, and WCPSS. Together with over 55 community partners, who have served in a variety of capacities at over 212 distinct locations, Wake County Human Services has worked tirelessly to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on families experiencing food insecurities.
The CPN Roundtable will work in tandem with Wake County Human Services and the Food Bank of Eastern North Carolina to distribute information about community food resources and recruit contributions for partnering members.
The Connection
1 in 7 residents in Wake County are food insecure -- 1 in 5 children.
34% of Wake school children are enrolled in Free and Reduced Priced Lunch.
There are 18 food deserts in Wake County encompassing over 80 square miles.
11%, over 100,000, of our residents live in a food desert.
Project 1 Participation in, and support of, CAFN Food Network and activities.
Project 2 The CPN is committed to supporting Wake County Human Services by partnering with community advocates and local faith-based organizations to raise awareness and collect resources for community food distribution.
Looking for a way to make a difference? Support families experiencing hunger in Wake County by donating to the Food Bank of Eastern North Carolina. They can turn the buying power of $1 into 5 meals and they have an established system for volunteers and distribution.
