Meals on Wheels
Published 10:42 am Monday, June 12, 2017
- Jeff Stalls (right), Director of Operations at Perdue’s plant in Lewiston, presents a check for $10,000 to Brian Gray, Communications and Volunteer Manager with Food Bank of the Albemarle. The grant, from The Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, will provide funding for a mobile food pantry distribution serving the Lewiston-Woodville, Kelford and Roxobel areas, near a Perdue Farms’ facility. | Contributed Photo
Story by Brian Gray
Communications Manager
Food Bank of the Albemarle
ELIZABETH CITY – Food Bank of the Albemarle announces a new mobile food pantry distribution, which will serve the western portion of Bertie County.
The mobile pantry, which will launch on Monday, June 19, is being funded by a $10,000 grant from The Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation. This mobile will serve the Lewiston-Woodville, Kelford and Roxobel areas, near a Perdue Farms’ facility.
The mobile pantry will arrive at West Bertie Elementary School the third Monday of each month, with the mobile operating from 5-6 p.m. The distribution will reach an estimated 100 households per month, and will provide much-needed protein, fresh produce and other nutritious food to the hungry men, women and children of the area.
More than 5,000 people in Bertie County, or 24.4% of the county population, are food insecure with 27.9 percent being children under 18 years of age. There are nearly 2,100 senior citizens living at or below the poverty line.
A volunteer assists with loading fresh vegetables into a vehicle last June, as part of a mobile food pantry operating at Greater Wynns Grove Baptist Church near Colerain. Now with the addition of another mobile pantry set to start-up in the Lewiston-Woodville, Kelford and Roxobel areas, Bertie County has two such operations. | File Photo by Gene Motley
“Food Bank of the Albemarle is dedicated to providing the food and resources to all those in need,” said Liz Reasoner, Executive Director. “This mobile distribution, in partnership with Perdue Farms, is going to help us continue to reach our goal of making sure each person in our 15 county service area is fed and has the tools to live a full and happy life.”
“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with the Food Bank of the Albemarle to expand the reach of its mobile pantry program in western Bertie County,” said Jeff Stalls, director of operations at Perdue’s operations in Lewiston.
Perdue associates will assist with the June 19 food distribution.
In addition to the Perdue Foundation funding, Perdue will also provide a truckload of protein to support the mobile pantry and the Food Bank of the Albemarle’s efforts to fight hunger in the region. In 2016, the Perdue Foundation provided a $10,000 grant and the company donated a truckload of protein to expand the reach of food bank’s mobile pantry in eastern Bertie County.
“At Perdue, we believe that no one should go hungry,” said Stalls. “That’s why we’ve made fighting hunger a top priority year-round in partnership with Feeding America and across the footprint of our company. We hope our donation through the Perdue Foundation will be especially helpful for those in the community struggling to feed their families.”
Food Bank staff will provide the clients with on-site outreach, education and when possible, health screenings through engagement with community resources such as Vidant Bertie Hospital, Albemarle Regional Health Services and Roanoke-Chowan Community Health Center.
Additionally, the Food Bank will engage with the NC Cooperative Extension Service in Bertie County to acquire guidance and resources on nutrition and healthy eating. Many clients of Food Bank of the Albemarle have health issues, limited access to health services and are unaware of the resources available to help them gain self-sustainability.
For more information about Food Bank of the Albemarle’s Mobile Food Pantry programs, visit www.afoodbank.org, or call Agency Relations Manager Katrina Schauland Watkins at 252-335-4035, ext. 108.
The Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Perdue Farms, was established in 1957 by company founder Arthur W. Perdue and is funded through the estates of Arthur W. Perdue and Frank Perdue. As part of our belief in supporting the communities where and with whom we do business, the Foundation provides grants on behalf of Perdue Farms in communities where large numbers of our associates live and work. At Perdue Farms, we believe in responsible food and agriculture.®
Perdue Farms is a third-generation, family owned, U.S. food and agriculture company.
Food Bank of the Albemarle serves a 15-county service area in northeast North Carolina. They are a regional clearinghouse for the collection and distribution of food and grocery items to 145 non-profit and faith-based organizations for their food programs, and to eligible individuals for their food needs.
For more information call (252) 335-4035 or visit www.afoodbank.org
