Dear Friends & Neighbors,
Food insecurity is at an all-time high in Charlotte, with more than 15 percent of people right here in our community having to choose between buying groceries or paying rent. Rising food costs and inflation are having an overwhelming impact on the population we serve. Delayed approval of food stamp applications in Mecklenburg County is making the situation even worse, causing many families to go hungry.
Dilworth Soup Kitchen & Food Pantry offers a lifeline for those struggling to put food on the table. In addition to giving out 200 healthy lunches twice weekly, we also provide free grocery offerings to help sustain our guests until they can return for the next meal. Additionally, we are now open on the first and third Wednesday of every month by appointment for our guests to shop for 3 to 5 days of food. As the demand has increased, keeping our pantry shelves stocked has become much harder.
We are kicking off our 2024 Annual Food Drive for nutritious non-perishable food items in the month of May. Your support is crucial, and any donation will make a tremendous difference. Below is a list of most needed items:
CANNED GOODS
Canned vegetables, soups, fruits, meats including tuna, chicken, salmon, beef stew, spaghetti, and ravioli
PASTA, RICE, GRAINS
Pasta, macaroni & cheese, instant potatoes, grits, stuffing mix, rice, ramen noodles, whole grains
MISCELLANEOUS
Spaghetti sauce, cooking oil, cereal, breakfast & protein bars, oatmeal, applesauce, peanut butter, jelly, pancake mix & syrup, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise
FROZEN CASSEROLES
Store-bought, family size frozen casseroles, preferably containing protein, delivered frozen
DRINKS
Powdered or shelf stable milks, Gatorade
NOTE: Pull-top cans are preferred. We cannot accept food items in glass containers, unsealed, unlabeled or expired. Please limit sugary drinks and unhealthy snacks or candy.
Dilworth Soup Kitchen & Food Pantry is a non-profit organization with no paid staff. We rely on the community for help during these difficult times and all contributions are tax deductible. If you prefer to make a monetary donation, please visit our website to learn more at www.dilworthsoupkitchen.org. If you have questions, email us at info@dilworthsoupkitchen.org. Be sure to follow the Dilworth Soup Kitchen Facebook site to keep up with our activity.
Thank you for helping feed our neighbors!
Gratefully yours,
Tom Fedell, Board Chairman
Drop-off Information: Food donations can be delivered every Monday & Friday during the month of May from 8:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. or on Wednesday May 8th and Wednesday May 22nd. Drop off location: First Christian Church,1200 East. Blvd. (double side door entrance on Dilworth Rd. East). Please contact us if these days and times do not work for you and we will make special arrangements.