Harvest to Help the Hungry

HARVEST TO HELP THE HUNGRY

This Page Brought to you by
Al Cooke
Agricultural Extension Agent
Chatham County Center

Harvest to Help the Hungry

How does your garden grow? During the summer, many gardeners celebrate their successes. In most years we encounter lots of gardeners who have more than they can use. Perhaps you have enough to share.

In a tough economic time, food pantries and soup kitchens have reported major increases in the need for food. They make efforts to get food to those who need it. The increase in need has stretched their resources, and they are always looking for new sources. Fresh produce is particularly scarce, and the capacity for storing perishable goods is limited. This webpage is a plea to you to consider donating some of your bounty through these established outlets.

Following is a list of local agencies in Chatham County, North Carolina that serve emergency food needs. None of them has the capacity to arrange for pickup. If you can contribute, you will need to deliver it to them on their schedule. Generally these agencies are short on manpower and have to control their hours of operation. Please make note of their schedules and try to work with them. You can expect a warm welcome.

Together we can make a difference.

Search by Day

Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens accepting fresh produce in Chatham County, N. C.

Alston Chapel Church

1832 Alston Chapel Road
Enter middle, multi-purpose building
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.
Mary Reaves, 542.2605 can arrange to receive produce early

Chatham Out-Reach Alliance (CORA)

40 Camp Street, Pittsboro (from Hwy 87 north of 64)
Go to the second, “employees only” door and ring the bell
Monday and Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church

204 Salisbury Street, Pittsboro
Go to Church office on Rectory Street; Rectory is one-way and must be approached from Hanks Street
Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

St. Julia Catholic Church

210 Harold Hart Road, Siler City (next to the furniture store)
Friday 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Take-and-Eat Food Pantry, Evergreen United Methodist Church

11098 US 15-501 (just south of Chatham Crossing shopping plaza)
Come in the main church entrance
2nd, 3rd, and 4th Tuesdays from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

West Chatham Food Pantry

126 Village Lake Drive, Siler City (at Siler City Business Park)
Monday, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.; Wednesday and Friday, 12:30 - 2:00 p.m.

Guidelines for handling fresh fruits and vegetables:

Pick early in the day for top quality

Keep produce out of the heat

For easily damaged items (tomatoes, berries, etc.) avoid deep containers; the weight on top damages the produce below.

Deliver soon after harvest to retain quality

Daily Schedule

Monday
Alston Chapel Church, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Chatham Out-Reach Alliance (CORA) 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
West Chatham Food Pantry, 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday
Take-and-Eat Food Pantry, (2nd, 3rd, & 4th Tuesdays) 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Wednesday
Alston Chapel Church, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Chatham Out-Reach Alliance (CORA) 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
West Chatham Food Pantry, 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.

Thursday
St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Friday
Alston Chapel Church, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
St. Julia Catholic Church, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
West Chatham Food Pantry, 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.