March 2023: The Latest from PORCH

• We are so grateful that Blue Cross Blue Shield NC donated boxed lunches for our participant families. Special thanks to Melissa and Patty, who volunteered to help distribute them.

• Our volunteers flattened plastic bags so that they could go to TABLE for reuse. What a team! 

• “I love how excited people are to donate, and I love building relationships with people in my neighborhood. What brings me the most joy is when I have a good month of donating and almost everyone who I recruited donates.” We are always seeking more fabulous Neighborhood Coordinators like Stella. Neighborhood Coordinators organize monthly food collections for a neighborhood or street. They are responsible for spreading the word about the designated day for the monthly food drives, picking up donations from neighborhood porches, and getting the non-perishable bags of food to a central location. Interested in learning more about this rewarding role? Get more info.

• PORCH Chapel Hill-Carrboro’s Board of Directors recently developed a Strategic Plan – “PORCH, A Place for Everyone” – which sets the organization’s vision, mission, and goals for the next 3-5 years. Our aim is to grow to serve 700 families each month with a $1.4 million annual budget. The number of families enrolled in our programs is already at an all-time high of 520, and we currently have families on a waitlist. A decrease in SNAP benefits this month will only exacerbate food insecurity as an issue in our community. We provide fresh and non-perishable food to more than 2,150 individuals each month (including 1,250 children). Our programs are made possible by caring community members like you. Since our founding in 2010, we have provided more than $5 million in hunger relief thanks to our dedicated army of volunteers, donors, and partners. For families facing food insecurity, help cannot wait. Can you make a financial contribution to help PORCH combat hunger in Chapel Hill and Carrboro? 

• Bear, Daisy, Annie, Wyatt, Townsend, Eddie, and Stella are neighbors in Wolf’s Pond who sold bouquets of flowers picked from their yards as well as books and other items they donated. They raised $80 for PORCH. Neighborhood Coordinator Betty shared: “My PORCH sign and collection bin had been out all week, and they too wanted to contribute something to PORCH. I am so proud of our thoughtful and hardworking neighborhood children! They are the best!” 

• May we suggest you add bagel pickup to your calendar on March 31? Enjoy a delicious breakfast, lunch, or both from Brandwein’s, and PORCH Chapel Hill-Carrboro will receive 10% of the proceeds.