Help Feed The Hungry Among Us
Catholic Parish Outreach
Free groceries are provided to an average of 3900 people a month, making it the largest food pantry in Wake County. CPO also provides infant formula, baby care items and maternity clothing to almost 6,000 children and pregnant women per year. Between the year 2000 and 2005, the number of people seeking assistance increased by 96%, presenting challenges for the organization. Food and volunteers are vital to any food pantry. Without a constant supply of both, the doors would close.How can you help?
Volunteers are needed to: greet clients, sort and distribute food, sort and organize children's and maternity clothing, interview clients, and work in the warehouse. Financial contributions are also needed. A $20 donation enables Catholic Parish Outreach to feed a family of 4 for one week. Other ways to help include: donating new or gently used baby equipment, maternity clothes, infant and toddler clothing, sewing crib or receiving blankets, donating your Lowes Foods green points, or linking your Food Lion MVP card to CPO. Wrapped toys for kids are needed through December 2006.
Mary, an ad designer in The N&O's classified advertising department, has been involved with Catholic Parish Outreach for 5 years. "Volunteering at Catholic Parish Outreach is very rewarding," she says. "It enables me to make a difference in someone's life. Everyone that comes through the door is treated with dignity and respect. The organization uses its resources effectively and efficiently, enabling us to provide food to a large number of people every day."
