Hatteras Island Meals’ annual island-wide raffle is underway

Hatteras Island Meals’ annual raffle is underway, and 2024 is already proving to be a banner year for the event, with prizes pouring in from dozens of Hatteras Island businesses.

Though the exact number of prize packages and their total worth is still unknown – due to the continuous and nonstop donations that are flooding in from the local business community – organizers estimate that this could be one of the biggest years yet for the popular annual event.

“We are still in the process of collecting gift cards,” said Cathy Diemer, Avon Community Manager for Hatteras Island Meals (HIM) ” It’s been amazing once again to see the island come together to help. We are on track to serve 12,000 meals this year!”

HIM is a longstanding and all-volunteer organization on Hatteras Island which provides nutritious meals to elderly or homebound island residents. The nonprofit began in 1987 as an informal endeavor, (where local folks prepared meals for their neighbors), and today it serves clients from Rodanthe to Hatteras Village.

The roughly 60 volunteers pick up the meals from generous distributors on the island – Marilyn’s Deli at Island Convenience and Waves Market & Deli in the Tri-villages, Diamond Shoals Restaurant in Buxton, and Sonny’s in Hatteras in the summer months – and then deliver the meals to folks along their assigned route.

Deliveries are made multiple days per week, and deep connections are made between the clients and volunteers who provide both food and company to local residents who may have trouble leaving their homes.

Like many local nonprofit organizations, HIM relies on fundraising initiatives to keep their day-to-day operations rolling, and their annual raffle is a primary source of their yearly funds.

Raffle tickets are currently for sale at Ace Hardware in Avon on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and will continue to be available until the official raffle winners are drawn on October 12.

Tickets will also be on sale at Conner’s Supermarket in Buxton starting on September 1, and will be available on Friday nights at the Gingerbread House Bakery and Pizza in Frisco. Tickets will also be for sale at the annual Day at the Docks festival on September 14.

Tickets are 1 for $10, or 4 for $35, and more information about the prize packages will be announced soon. For updates on the raffle from Hatteras Island Meals, (including new prizes as they continue to pour in), visit https://www.facebook.com/HatterasIslandMeals.