You may be planning to gain weight as you feast over the holiday season; but one in four kids in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City schools doesn’t have that option. A pastor at a local church is trying to help.

***Listen to the Story***


Chad Simpkins is the pastor at Varsity Church in Chapel Hill. He and his family moved here a few years ago. They were surprised to hear that child hunger is more common in the community than you might think.

“I grew up in North Carolina in Winston Salem, and I always thought Chapel Hill was this safety zone where there were no issues,” says Simpkins, “To hear that kind of blew us out of the water. So we’ve got to do something about that.”

The church found a handful of different programs to address the issue. One of those programs takes off this weekend for the second year in a row.

Simpkins, church members, and community volunteers are packing 10,000 meals for children in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Orange County, and Durham. It’s for a non-profit program known as “Feed 10,000”.

“Child Hunger affects so much of a child’s life,” Simpkins says.

“Not just that they don’t have food. It affects their educational abilities, and of course brings a lot of stress to families. This is more than just feeding stomachs. We feel like it’s feeding minds too.”

Simpkins says he doesn’t expect to resolve the issue of local child hunger in one weekend. But he says he hopes it brings awareness to the issue. He says he hopes people are motivated to take action.

“The resources are here,” says Simpkins: “But like me and our family, not knowing that need is there is a big problem. Anything we can do to get the word out, and get people involved to make a bigger dent in child hunger is great. There shouldn’t be a kid here that ever goes to bed hungry.”

300 volunteers packed the cafeteria at SmithMiddle School last year. Simpkins says it looks like they will do the same this season. He says if you want to volunteer, sign up before the spaces fill up.

“We want to make a difference in this community, but we also know we can’t do it on our own,” Simpkins says, “We want to do it with people in the community, whether they’re part of our church or not.”

To find out how you can help click here.

Related Stories
‹
50K And Counting: "100 Women Who Give A Hoot" Raise Money Together
Barely a year old, 100 Women Who Give A Hoot has raised tens of thousands for local charities - and it all started with 15 people.
Meals On Wheels To Host 'Dining For Dollars'
Meals on Wheels makes sure more than 150 local seniors who can’t stand over the stove still get a hot lunch.
More Than 100 Aid Groups Warn of Starvation in Gaza as Israeli Strikes Kill 29, Officials Say
More than 100 charity and human rights groups said Wednesday that Israel’s blockade and ongoing military offensive are pushing Palestinians in the Gaza Strip toward starvation.
Gaza’s Main Hospital Is Overwhelmed With Children in Pain From Malnutrition
Experts warn Gaza could plunge into famine if Israel doesn’t stop its military campaign and fully lift its blockade.
Aid Groups: Thousands of Children in Gaza Are Malnourished Amid Israel’s Blockade
Aid groups are raising new alarm over Israel’s blockade of the war-ravaged Gaza Strip as the deterrence of resources reached six weeks.
Why Do They Flock to Turkey Trots? Runners Count the Reasons
Turkey Trots have become an enduring tradition for many people. Some do it for fitness, others for family and community, others for charity.
New Hampshire Man Had No Car and No Furniture, but Died With a Big Secret, Leaving His Town Millions
Written by KATHY MCCORMACK and ROBERT F. BUKATY Geoffrey Holt was unassuming as the caretaker of a mobile home park in Hinsdale, New Hampshire, where he lived a simple, but curious life. Residents would see Holt around town in threadbare clothes — riding his lawn mower, headed to the convenience store, parked along the main […]
PORCH's New Executive Director Shares Vision for Hunger Relief Nonprofit
Local nonprofit, PORCH, fights for hunger relief and access to healthy foods, and is now doing so with a new executive director, Erin Riney.
Chapel Hill's Community Empowerment Fund Receives $200,000 Grant
The nonprofit Community Empowerment Fund (CEF) received a $200,000 grant from Bank of America. The award was received as a part of the 2022 Bank of America Neighborhood Builders program.
More Than 1 Million Need Urgent Food Aid in South Madagascar
Written by LAETITIA BEZAIN Parched by four years of drought, more than 1.1 million people in southern Madagascar urgently need food aid in a rapidly worsening crisis, experts warn. About 700,000 people are already receiving food aid and increased emergency assistance is needed, according to WFP which is working with the Malagasy government and other […]
›