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Fight Child Hunger at the Farmers Market!

WakeMed Health & Hospitals Childrens/Family, WakeMed Farmers Market, WakeMed News

In North Carolina, 1 out of every 5 children is at risk of hunger.

Hungry children face immense challenges at school: it is hard to focus on an empty stomach, and they are more likely to repeat a grade or suffer health problems.

With the school year fast approaching, the Wake Med Farmers Market is offering the opportunity to fight child hunger!  On August 13th, 20th, and 27th, there will be a food drive from 10:00-2:00 located in the 1E lobby of the WakeMed Raleigh Campus during the farmers market benefiting the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle’s hunger relief programs.

Hunger Relief Programs in the Triangle Area

Wake Med is a long-time supporter of the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, a Feeding America food bank that pioneers innovative, transformative solutions designed to end hunger in our community.  Some of its hunger relief programs are:

  1. BackPack Buddies, which provides children from food-insecure homes with balanced weekend meals.  The Food Shuttle currently works with 80 area schools to serve approximately 2,900 children each week
  2. School Pantries, which provide a safe and accessible resource for students and their families to find nutritious food.  The Food Shuttle operates 27 school pantries.
  3. Grocery Bags for Seniors, which delivers grocery bags to seniors living on fixed incomes in low-wealth senior living communities.  The Food Shuttle delivers bags to approximately 1500 seniors a month.

What to Bring to a BackPack Buddies Food Drive

Help Inter-Faith Food Shuttle Fight Child Hunger

The Inter-Faith Food Shuttle relies on support from the community for these three programs.  There are many ways to help, including:

  1. Volunteer:  There are many volunteer opportunities, from working on our farm to accompanying our drivers on their routes or working at the front desk, we have many senior citizens whose support is essential to our success.
  2. Donate Funds:  $35 provides a child with meals through BackPack Buddies for a whole month, and a $100 contribution can deliver 250 meals to those who need them.
  3. Participate in the WakeMed Food Drive!  Some helpful donations are canned tuna or chicken, canned soups, canned vegetables, canned fruit, and 100% juice boxes.

Downloadables

View and print off the following helpful information.

About Laura Clay

Laura Clay is the Food Drive Coordinator for Inter-Faith Food Shuttle. Learn more about Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, and be sure to check out the WakeMed Farmers Market. The last farmers market of the season will be held Tuesday, August 27. Learn more about the WakeMed Farmers Market here.

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