After launching Carrboro United just over a week ago, the food hub has already made an impact within the community. Now, it’s looking to help local businesses even more.

The group announced its second initiative, the Carrboro United Emergency Impact Loan Relief Fund, on Monday. The fund, in addition to the Local Food Hub, aims to help stimulate the Carrboro economy while the COVID-19 pandemic causes the closure of many businesses. The first loans from the relief fund, or EILF, were approved on Monday, according to a release, and will be paid out shortly to nine local businesses.

The loans are meant to provide short-term capital to members of the independent business community as they navigate the beginning stages of a stay-at-home order from Orange County, which called for many businesses to temporarily close in an attempt to mitigate the ongoing spread of COVID-19. Organizers promote these emergency loans as simple and with a 24-hour turnaround. According to Carrboro United, the first nine loans totaled more than $110,000.

In the same release, Carrboro United shared the results of the initial launch of the Local Food Hub, which started on March 21. The project is a collaboration with Acme Food & Beverage and has partnered with many other local vendors, such as GlassHalfull, Carrboro Coffee Roasters and more. After four ‘Hub Days’ when community members picked up more than 11,200 meals, the initiative has reportedly resulted in $102,000 going to local restaurants and $47,000 going to local farmers. Carrboro United also said it has hired more than 20 employees at a living wage rate.

The release from Carrboro United said the group has additional initiatives in the planning stage, which it plans to announce soon.

For more information about the Carrboro United Emergency Impact Loan Fund, community members are encouraged to contact Tom Raynor or Cindy Sellars.

Photo via Carrboro United.

 

Note: 97.9 The Hill has been Chapel Hill and Orange County’s daily source for free local news since 1953. Please consider making a donation to continue supporting important local journalism like this.

Related Stories
‹
Striking Workers Set to Leave Acme Restaurant, Shift Activism Efforts
After striking for nearly three months over alleged sexual harassment and unfair labor practices at Acme Food & Beverage Company, demonstrators recently shared they are ending their immediate efforts. Some employees of the popular Carrboro restaurant went on strike in late November alleging the leadership of Acme, including owner Kevin Callaghan, did not respond to […]
Acme Strike Holds Rally, March in Carrboro Amid Wait for Negotiations
As a workers’ strike over alleged sexual harassment enters its second month, demonstrators and supporters held a rally in Carrboro on Sunday to continue their requests for change. Dozens of people gathered in the Carrboro Town Commons and participated in a march to share support for employees of the Acme restaurant who are striking over […]
'Remarkable Gift': Carrboro United Local Food Hub to Close Saturday
After more than a year in operations a popular local food hub is closing. Carrboro United, a program created to protect and stimulate the Carrboro economy during the pandemic, served thousands. Team members announced the last day of operation is Saturday.
Carrboro United Reports $1 Million in Sales Since March Launch
Created in March as a way to safely feed the community amid the coronavirus pandemic, Carrboro United announced on Tuesday that it has hit $1 million in sales. “Conceived as an urgent response to the local food economy closing down at the beginning of the pandemic,” reads a release from the organization, “Carrboro United has not only […]
Carrboro United, El Centro Partner to Give Groceries to 300 Families
A popular Carrboro food initiative’s efforts to raise money for community members in need paid off this past month. Carrboro United partnered with the El Centro Hispano organization to distribute one week’s worth of groceries to more than 300 families in the Rogers-Eubanks Neighborhood community and others connected to the Latinx non-profit. According to a […]
Carrboro 'Food Hub' Provides Family-Style Meals Amid Restaurant Closures
A new food initiative called Carrboro United has been created to safely feed the community and support the local economy throughout the coronavirus pandemic. This ‘local food hub’ is considered a one-stop shop to get special meals made and sourced by your hometown favorites. Carrboro United is providing an opportunity for Chapel Hill and Carrboro residents […]
Thanksgiving Holiday to Affect Local Government Services in Orange County (2025)
Thanksgiving will fall on Thursday, November 27 this year, and the holiday will affect several local government services around the Orange County community. Here’s a rundown of what residents can expect: Town of Chapel Hill Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28 are both town holidays. Residential trash collection will not be affected. However, there […]
Chapel Hill-Carrboro Icons Howard and Lillian Lee, Braxton Foushee Granted Statewide Honor
Three groundbreaking Black local leaders saw their years of service awarded by being inducted into the Order of The Long Leaf Pine
Town Of Carrboro Selects John Fussa As New Planning Director
The Town of Carrboro announced it has selected a new planning director. John Fussa will take up the role in Dec. 2025.
Carrboro: Downtown Area Plan Passes, Supporting Immigrant Communities, Braxton Foushee Honored
Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Friday, November 21, discussing town news and events. She discussed the most recent meeting of the town council, including the passage of the Downtown Area Plan. She also talked about the recent presence of federal immigration officials in the Triangle, and a resolution passed by the town council in response to that. She also recalled Thursday's ceremony inducting Braxton Foushee into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, and more.
›