Stories

SHARE Charlotte features FeedNC

At SHARE Charlotte, we want to build a better Charlotte by empowering nonprofits and helping people invest in their community in ways that matter most to them. Today, we're excited to feature FeedNC, a nonprofit located on the northern side of town that is doing so much more than you can imagine to provide assistance to our neighbors.

🍎 Did you know they have a food truck that is helping to feed hungry children this summer?

🥕 Did you know they have a grassroots grocery where members can shop?

🍽️ Did you know that you are welcome to be FeedNC's guest at their innovative no cost Donoghue's Open Door Community Dining Space?

We had the honor of sitting down with FeedNC to learn all about the amazing work they do. You are going to want to visit, take a tour, dine in their welcoming space, and sign up to volunteer! We're so excited to share their story with you!

What is it that you would like Charlotteans to know about FeedNC? 

FeedNC stands for Food, Education, Essentials, and Dignity. With a mission to create connections to food, education, and resources as a catalyst for change, FeedNC serves 6,000 neighbors in need annually across 4 counties through innovative programs and services with a focus on Food and Nutrition Security, Education and Workforce Development, Agriculture and Sustainability, and Dignity and Social Capital. They see  programs and initiatives as investments in the most precious resource of all—our community. FeedNC believes in the potential of every individual and family, and their commitment to providing food, education, and resources represents a heartfelt investment in their well-being and future. By channeling resources into programs that nourish and empower individuals, FeedNC believes in not only addressing immediate hunger but also fostering self-reliance, economic growth, and social well-being. Just as wise investments yield long-term dividends, their commitment to these initiatives ensures that, over time, we'll harvest a community that is not only well-fed but also equipped to thrive and pay it forward, creating a more robust and connected society for all.

📺 Meet Nariah and her family. She loves FeedNC and dreams of being a Chef one day! Watch here!

Interesting facts: 

• FeedNC has a 38,000 sq ft food-focused, food-producing garden. Named Mimi’s Garden after Dale Earnhardt Jr and Kelley Earnhardt Miller’s late mother, Brenda Jackson.
• Offers a one-of-a-kind Donoghue’s Open Door Community Dining Concept where FeedNC shares food and so much more. 
• FeedNC has a free food truck allowing them to go directly into communities and feed those in need and share information about their services. 
• FeedNC has a culinary and warehouse workforce development program.

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Member facts: (members are those FeedNC serves)

All members take a USDA Food Security survey before enrolling in FeedNC’s free services. 

• 70% of families reporting low levels of food security
• 9% of children having to skip meals
• 20% of parents must cut their child’s portion size
• 25% of children were not eating enough

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Community Impact in 2023: 

• 5000 people served.
• 20,000 Grassroots Grocery visits.
• $4M saved by members utilizing FeedNC’s programs and services.
• 1500 grocery deliveries to those who are housebound.
• 45,000 meals served through Donoghue’s Open Door Community Dining Concept. 

If someone were to volunteer with FeedNC, what would that look like? What impact does it have on FeedNC's organization? 

FeedNC's mission is only possible due to the amazing talents and dedication of so many dedicated volunteers. Volunteers can serve for 2-4 hour shifts in their community dining space, Grassroots Grocery, or warehouse. FeedNC relies on 65+ volunteers daily to maintain a level of service and every individual counts! 

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Impact: Your heart and hands have value! A volunteer’s hour is worth $31.80 per the IRS, and every hour of volunteerism saves FeedNC in staffing costs. In 2023, volunteers contributed FeedNC 1.8 million dollars in value. 

The vision of FeedNC is to put compassion into action so all families in the community can thrive. In that spirit, you will surely find community family at FeedNC if these daily actions are meaningful to you too:

• I look for the good in other people. 
• I treat others with warm and trusting regard. 
• I try to spark genuine interactions with people different from me. 
• I can learn from every other person. 
• I like a challenge.
• I want to share my talents.
• I feel joy when I do something for others. 

Volunteer opportunities are available for youth, adults, and groups, and easy to register by visiting the FeedNC website. 

Are there any upcoming events or fundraisers you would like to share with the community?

FeedNC is excited to host the annual summer food and supply drive on July 20th to help stock the Grassroots Grocery shelves during the slowest donation time of the year. Children are out of school and these donations are vital to meeting the needs of the community FeedNC serves. Join in by holding a food drive at your place of worship, business, or neighborhood and help support the families of the 1500 children FeedNC serves annually. If you are not able to donate food or essentials but would still like to help, you can financially support FeedNC’s mission. With Summer being the slowest donation time of the year and children out of school, these donations are vital to meeting the needs of the community we serve. Learn more about fighting Summer Hunger here!

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Did you know: 

A $25 donation provides 13 lbs. of groceries. 

A $50 donation provides 25 lbs. of groceries. 

A $100 donation provides 51 lbs. of groceries. 

A $250 donation provides 130 lbs. of groceries. 

A $500 donation provides 260 lbs. of groceries. 

A $1000 donation provides 518 lbs. of groceries.

Other needs and ways to connect to FeedNC: 

• Calling local chefs! Share your gifts, talents, and expertise with an upcoming workforce development class. The next cohort starts September 2024, and you can serve as a volunteer and inspire FeedNC students on their culinary journey. 

Contact FeedNC’s Culinary Director, Chef Brenan Krebs at bkrebs@feednc.org. for more information. 

• Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Linked-In
• Subscribe to FeedNC's newsletter
• Volunteer 
• Make “Blessing Bags”

💜 Thank you to FeedNC for sponsoring one of SHARE Charlotte's Neighbors Newsletters, our weekly dose of good. Sign up for SHARE Charlotte's newsletter at www.sharecharlotte.org today!