Charlotte churches, nonprofits quickly activate to help hungry neighbors

The coronavirus is quickly reshaping daily routines as schools close, employees work from home and businesses slow or stop operations.

The disruption has many people scrambling to meet their personal needs by buying supplies for potential quarantines. Certain groups will feel this crisis more than others, like older people, those who are being termed nonessential workers and people who can’t pay for health care or don’t have access to it.

Many groups are stepping in to gap, especially when it comes to food insecurities.

“Food is a big need that we are helping to deal with,” said Brent Jones, a steering committee member with UCITY Family Zone and director of service and outreach at StoneBridge Church Community, “One of the main concerns for our organizations right now is making sure the families who can't get to the ‘grab and go’ spots, can eat.”

Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools announced, “grab and go” where families can pick up breakfast and lunch at participating schools. The meals are free for anyone 18 years old and younger.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina is working with its over 800 partner agencies in 24 counties, including local school systems, to assess how they can best be of service at this time.

Last week, the food bank along with several area churches quickly activated at Faith CME Church to help families in need. Within 48 hours, the collaboration of houses of faith and nonprofit organizations rallied together to serve over 125 families.

“The volunteer spirit has been very encouraging,” Jones said. “Churches coming together from different denominations has been beautiful.”

Jones said that he hopes the relationships continue after the crisis.

“We’re just peeling back a little bit of the veil of the need that is in our community,” he said. “Some of these needs were here before the crisis and will continue to be here after the crisis.”

UCITY Family Zone is a community organization focused on the area in and around University City, and is helping to meet community needs during the coronavirus outbreak.

“We appreciate so much the leadership and commitment of our community partners to come together and support our neighbors,” said Mark DeHaven, distinguished professor of community health, UNC College of Health and Human Services and founding director of UCITY Family Zone. “The needs of our community are great - but so are our resources.

Ignited by Family Zone partners, UCITY Family Zone COVID-19 Response Group was created for residents to mitigate needs in and around ZIP codes 28262 and 28213. The group has members volunteering in the community and has created a suite of resources for area residents and businesses.

“It is truly inspirational what we can accomplish and how we can lift the entire community when we work together with everyone pulling in one direction,” DeHaven said.

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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