CMPD, Church partner with WSOC-TV to fight hunger

There’s no denying this is a hard time for many Carolina families. The coronavirus pandemic has caused thousands of people to lose their jobs or have suffered income reductions and can’t make ends meet.

With all of this going on, many families have to make a decision about buying food or paying for rent.

Thanks to a community collaboration between WSOC-TV, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s community engagement and Northside Baptist Church, a delivery of 2,652 pounds of baby food and snacks was delivered to the 9 Food Drive community collection day.

“The largest need we’ve seen in light of the pandemic has been people being in need of food,” said Michael Landrum, pastor at Northside Baptist Church. “Food is such a heavy need. We’ve had this partnership for a while with WSOC and CMPD and we were able to get some food collected and wanted to help out and give back.”

Police officers and police cadets helped church members unload over 6,000 servings of baby food.

“It’s heartwarming to be able to give back,” said Kenisha Mobley, a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officer.

When Mobley was on street patrol, she said that she encountered young and elderly people who would steal from grocery stores because they were hungry and couldn’t afford to buy food.

“I would see the need time and time again,” Mobley said. “So now, we’re able to give back and help those in need.”

For the past 16 years, WSOC-TV and Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina have partnered together to end area hunger through the 9 Food Drive.

The food bank’s partner agencies report that requests for food assistance have continued to increase at a rapid pace.

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The unforeseen effect of the coronavirus has caused significant changes to how food donations can be collected and distributed.

“As you do life together as a community and help each other out, it really begins to make an impact for everyone around us,” Landrum said. “As we help each other out and do life together, we’re really able to help those out that are in need and the food drive is one way in which we’re able to do that.”

You too can help by donating canned or nonperishable food items now at any Arby’s, Ashley HomeStore or E.R. Services.

A complete list of donation locations can be found here.

Because the food bank supplies food and essential grocery items to hundreds of agencies, a monetary donation helps all of these organizations. For every dollar the food bank receives, it distributes seven pounds of food. You can donate now by clicking on this link.

If you have an inspiring story to share, email Kevin Campbell, WSOC-TV/WAXN-TV/Telemundo Charlotte public affairs manager, at Kevin.Campbell@wsoctv.com.

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