"Hunger is the dirty secret plaguing our community. It is a demoralizing and devastating crisis that preys on young and old alike. In Greensboro, this silent plague is so prevalent, affecting 23% of individuals, that Greensboro-High Point rates second highest in the nation amongst metropolitan areas for food insecurity.
Greensboro Urban Ministry is very familiar with the plagues of hunger and food insecurity in the community. To combat these problems, Greensboro Urban Ministry provides food assistance bags through our Emergency Assistance Program. Through this program, those who are struggling with food insecurity can receive food up to four times a year. Food provided includes canned fruit and vegetables, protein, soup, and macaroni & cheese. When available, rice, oatmeal, dry beans, Ramen noodles, peanut butter, and crackers are also included.
Each day, seventy-five households are provided with these assistance bags.
Greensboro Urban Ministry is very grateful to the community for enabling us to serve individuals in need and for the support of our food drives. This summer, we held a food drive call “Feeding the 5,000” in partnership with the City of Greensboro, First Lutheran Church, First Presbyterian Church, Friendly Avenue Baptist, Grace UMC, New Garden Friends Meeting, Starmount Presbyterian, VF Corporation, West Market Street UMC, Adams Farm Community Church, Christ UMC, Faith Wesleyan Church, St. Andrews Methodist, and St. Pius X Catholic Church. Through this drive, cash and non-perishable food items totaling more than 15,000 lbs were collected. However, this food provided for only two weeks of food assistance.
Our pantry now looks much like that of our clients – it is bare. And, there is little hope in sight until the end of September when the annual Leadership Greensboro Senior’s Food Drive restocks our shelves. Until that time, we will be purchasing food to meet the needs of our clients. In their first annual meeting last night, the Greensboro Urban Ministry Board of Directors pledged enough funds to purchase nearly two weeks worth of food, yet we have six weeks to cover. That is why we are asking you, our supporters, to help us fill this gap and meet the needs of our clients. Your monetary gift, or donation of non-perishable food items, will go directly to those individuals in our community who would otherwise go to bed hungry tonight. Won’t you please support our efforts and give?
Individuals interested in making monetary donations can send donations to Greensboro Urban Ministry; c/o Food Bank; 305 West Lee Street; Greensboro, NC 27406, or may donate online. Those wishing to donate non-perishable food items may do so Monday – Friday from 8AM-5PM and Saturdays 9AM-1:30PM. Our Food Bank warehouse is located behind HealthServe Ministry, 1002 South Eugene Street.
For more information or to organize a food drive please call 336.553.2672 or e-mail marshall@guministry.org For a list of suggested non-perishable food items, please visit http://greensborourbanministry.org/services/food-bank/"
- A Press Release
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