More than one in eight North Carolina households had difficulty putting food on the table at some point during 2008, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture survey released this week. As the holidays approach, area supermarkets are making it easier for you to help.
Lowes Foods, Harris Teeter, Kroger and Food Lion are among the chains collecting nonperishable food or money on behalf of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. The Food Bank provides food to local churches, soup kitchens and other relief programs in 34 counties from the Triangle to the coast.
Supermarkets help the Food Bank throughout the year, but their holiday food drives come at a time when people are thinking about those in need, said Peter Werbicki, the group's president and CEO.
"People going in for their groceries have the ability to make a connection to those who are less fortunate," Werbicki said.
Where you can help
Food Lion stores are collecting food and selling pre-packed boxes of food to be given to the food bank as part of their Hunger Has a Cure campaign through Dec. 30. The boxes cost $4.99 each.
Harris Teeter stores are collecting food and selling gift cards for donation to the food bank for $5 and $20, as part of its annual Harvest Feast Food Drive. The drive runs through Dec. 1.
Kroger stores in the Triangle are collecting food for the Heart of Carolina food drive through Dec. 9. A Heart of Carolina food drive grocery bag is inserted in today's News & Observer, and can be filled and taken to any Kroger or to the Food Bank's offices in Raleigh, Durham, Greenville, Wilmington or Southern Pines.
Lowes Foods stores in the Carolinas and Virginia are collecting food through their Friends Feeding Friends food drive from now through Dec. 31.
