In Fayetteville, North Carolina, the ABC11 Together Food Drive is set to take place on Wednesday. Those directly involved with families facing hunger have noticed a significant increase in its impact within the area. One local church, Highland Presbyterian, is particularly affected as the rising demand makes it challenging to combat hunger.

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Church's Pantry Shelves: A Tale of Changing Needs

Each shelf in Highland Presbyterian Church's pantry is clearly labeled. There are bagged beans, various soups, canned fruits, and more. In the past, the shelves would typically be stocked with enough food to last for two months. However, since the pandemic led to a skyrocketing in hunger in the Sandhills area, the church staff can't recall the last time the shelves were fully stocked. The church partners with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina to provide groceries to those in need. To supplement their food pantry program, they purchase 50-pound bags of rice and beans and repackage them into 1-pound bags. This allows their money to go further in providing food.

The Foodbank of Central and Eastern North Carolina reports that more than 560,000 kids, adults, and seniors in the central and eastern parts of the state don't know where their next meal will come from. According to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina, one in four children in the Sandhills area is facing hunger. With more families in need of food, there is less to go around. As Donna Hunt, a volunteer with Highland Presbyterian, said, "You always want to be able to give them a sufficient amount of food to get through a week and more. There have been times when we have had very little, and you just hope that they can make it with what we have."

Local Support: Businesses and Congregation Stepping Up

Hill and Hunt have noticed that local businesses and members of the congregation have been actively stepping up by donating more food. They encourage others to join in and contribute. As Steve Hill said, "Any time there's an opportunity to participate in the food drive and make donations, hopefully people would be committed to that." This local support is crucial in helping to address the growing hunger issue in Fayetteville.

The ABC11 Together Food Drive is an important initiative that aims to make a significant impact on the lives of those facing hunger. By working together, local churches, food banks, and the community can help ensure that no one goes without a meal. With the increasing need, every donation and participation counts.