CONCORD - Last year, Cooperative Christian Ministry helped more than 13,000 individuals receive food at monthly Mobile Food Pantries. This year, organizers expect to exceed those numbers. The first mobile pantry of the year will be held this Thursday, March 21, at First Presbyterian Church in Kannapolis from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
“We saw more than 4,000 households and gave away close to 60 tons of food to those families in neighborhoods of high need last year,” says Barry Porter, food program manager for CCM. “We are still seeing an increased need in Cabarrus County and surrounding areas from our main and satellite pantries.”
Each year, Porter says, CCM sees similar or increasing numbers at the mobile pantries. Mobile Food Pantries are offered 11 times this year and are held in neighborhoods of high need to overcome the absence of transportation for many struggling families who aren’t able to get to a stationary pantry. These pantries provide supplemental groceries at a very efficient cost to CCM and no cost to those who need groceries.
“Mobile Food Pantries are the most efficient way that CCM has to put groceries on the tables in neighborhoods of high need,” says Ed Hosack, executive director. “Sponsoring churches, businesses, groups and volunteers make it possible.”
On average each mobile pantry distributes close to six tons of food to 350 needy families.
Mobile Food Pantries often signal that summertime is coming. “This is when families will struggle to keep groceries on the table and food pantries will be depleted,” says Hosack. “We encourage, churches, businesses and other groups to consider making food drives a part of their summer plans.”
Cooperative Christian Ministry is sponsoring two upcoming events where food drives can be utilized to help those less fortunate in the community. Groups can stage food drives as a project for Kannapolis Kares Day on April 27, and during the summer, the Summer Food Drive will be held from July 1 to Aug. 15 to help restock the pantry shelves when they are the barest.
See the attached schedule of upcoming Mobile Food Pantries offered by CCM this year. Individuals and families attending will be asked for identification, the number of people in their household and the household gross income. Attendees should be prepared to carry home at least three bags of free groceries.
March 21
First Presbyterian Church
201 Vance Street
Kannapolis
April 11
St. James Catholic Church
139 Manor Ave. SW
Concord
April 25
Memorial United Methodist Church
1100 West C St.
Kannapolis
May 23
Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church
301 Mt. Olivet Rd.
Kannapolis
June 6
Roberta United Methodist Church
3925 Cochran Rd.
Concord
June 20
Bethpage Presbyterian Church
6020 Mooresville Rd.
Kannapolis
July 11
Trinity United Methodist Church
416 E. First St.
Kannapolis
August 1
Calvary Lutheran Church
950 Bradley St. NE
Concord
August 29
Forest Hill United Methodist Church
265 Union St. N
Concord
September 26
Midway United Methodist Church
708 S. Main St.
Kannapolis
October 24
The Village Shopping Center (Big Lots)
280 Concord Parkway S.
Concord
Sponsored by Poplar Tent Presbyterian Church
