An icon in Chapel Hill and North Carolina is joining the relief efforts for residents of the Tar Heel State directly impacted by recent hurricanes.
James Taylor said in a video posted to his Facebook page that he was coming to viewers “with Carolina in my mind and with a simple request for you wherever you are.”
Taylor, who spent much of his childhood in Chapel Hill, announced the launch of the James Taylor Million Meals Challenge in coordination with the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina. Taylor will be matching donations to the food bank dollar-for-dollar until enough money is raised to serve 1 million meals to those in need.
“We’ve all been hearing heartbreaking stories about the people impacted by the hurricanes hitting our coast this season,” Taylor said. “Storms that have destroyed homes and communities throughout the southeast.”
But the heralded musician added he has been “inspired by the resilience of people in Florida and in the Carolinas, neighbor helping neighbor, and by people from all parts of the country pitching in to do their part.”
Taylor mentioned specifically his family roots in New Bern, which was devastated by Hurricane Florence.
Florence directly impacted North Carolina’s coast and caused devastating flooding. Less than a month later, Hurricane Michael swept through North Carolina after hitting Florida’s panhandle as a Category 4 storm, the most severe hurricane to ever hit the panhandle.
Taylor will be matching donations through October 31, according to the food bank’s website. The food bank is able to turn $10 into 100 meals for those in need.
More information is available here.
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