Help Neighbors in Need, Volunteer at Local Food Bank in North Carolina - AARP Bulletin
You Can Help Neighbors in Need
You don' t have to be NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon to be part of the Drive to End Hunger
D.L. Anderson Debra Eudy, left, started a food bank in Locust to help people like retired nurse Margaret Pritchard, 80. Each month, about 200 older people use the food bank, which AARP helps to stock. Several years ago, when Debra Eudy wanted to volunteer in her Stanly County community, the greatest need was clear. "Our seniors were the most neglected," she said. See also:
Not anymore. Eudy and her husband, Ricky, an assistant fire chief in Ridgecrest, began a community food bank through their church. It's supported by the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, one of seven food banks and the AARP Foundation are working with in the . This spring, AARP joined with Second Harvest to educate the public about hunger among older people at events leading up to the Coca-Cola 600 May 29 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The AARP Foundation also helped pay for nearly a half-million grocery bags distributed to Charlotte-area homes by mail carriers. Residents filled the bags with food, which the carriers picked up May 14. Related
At the race, the No. 24 car — four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champ Jeff Gordon's — sported the DTEH logo, and racegoers made contributions via credit card. Those who donated $24 will receive a commemorative hat in the mail. "We are trying to reach out to our members who may not be affiliated with a chapter or state office," said Greg Tanner, associate director-community outreach. For years, AARP North Carolina has worked with chapters and other groups to hold food drives, support food banks and increase enrollment in , formerly called food stamps. But the challenge persists. North Carolina ranks sixth in food hardship, based on a . Nearly a quarter of the state's population reported not having enough money to buy food for themselves or their family in the past 12 months. Winston-Salem, Greensboro-High Point and Asheville ranked third, fourth and seventh, respectively, among metro areas nationally in food hardship. Much of this is among older people. A 2009 national study by Feeding America showed that people 50 and older represent nearly half of those who obtain groceries at a food bank or other emergency food provider. Since the economic downturn, many of them are like Terrie Massey, 55, of Charlotte. She lost her job as a certified nursing assistant last summer. She takes care of her 87-year-old mother and three grandchildren, and turned to the food pantry at Calvary United Methodist Church in late 2010. Next: "I did not expect to be faced with this," said Massey, who had held her job for 17 years and never been to a food pantry. "Our numbers served over the last two years are up 30 percent," said Beverly Howard, executive director of , a food pantry whose 15 sites include Calvary United. Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina supplies pantries and other emergency food programs in 19 Charlotte-area counties, including the program the Eudys started at Providence Church of God in Locust. Follow Us on Facebook and Twitter
To keep up with everything AARP North Carolina is doing, become a fan on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up at . "It helps a lot," said Margaret Pritchard, 80, of Mount Pleasant, of the approximately six bags of food and household items she receives monthly. "I live alone and was spending quite a bit of money on food, at least $100 a month." A retired registered nurse, Pritchard receives her groceries when she attends a free monthly senior luncheon at the church, where she devotes $25 of her monthly church tithe to the community food program. Other people receive groceries on the second Saturday of the month, when all ages are helped. Debra Eudy, 48, estimates about a third of the approximately 600 people served the last Saturday of each month are 50 and older. The program wouldn't be possible, Eudy said, without inexpensive food through Second Harvest and the volunteers who run the effort. She hopes the DTEH campaign will spur more people to help. "You don't have to save the world — just do what you can." she said. "You will be amazed at what can transpire." To volunteer, visit the or call AARP North Carolina toll-free at 1-866-389-5650. Susan Shackelford is a freelance writer and editor based in Charlotte, N.C. Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures
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