19th annual island-wide food drive is underway

The 19th annual island-wide food drive to stock the shelves of the Hatteras Island Food Pantry got underway on Monday, Oct. 1 and will continue through Dec. 31. 

Housed at the United Methodist Church in Buxton, this pantry serves the people of all seven villages and is the only food pantry on the island that is recognized by Dare County Department of Social Services.

According to Walton Fulcher, food pantry coordinator, this non-profit community utreach helped 3,079 people with more than 65,000 meals this past fiscal year.  The rganization’s emergency assistance fund paid out over $191,750 — more than twice the amount that was paid out the previous year.   A total of 265 families were helped, many of whom were knocked flat by Hurricane Irene that hit the island in August of last year.

“If we had not had your support” says Fulcher, “we could not have met these emergency needs.”

Fulcher thanks all those who’ve contributed to the food pantry in the past and asks for continued help.

“Without it, the pantry will find it impossible to get through the winter months, the period of greatest need when unemployment is even greater than it is right now.” 

He emphasizes that 100 percent of all donations, whether food or money, goes to help Hatteras residents.  “None is used to pay administrative expenses or executive salaries,” he says.
There are several convenient locations this year, at least one per village, where food donations for the pantry can be dropped off:

Hatteras Realty in Hatteras Village and Avon. Daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Our Lady of the Seas Catholic Parish Hall in Buxton. 24-hour drop-off box on porch.

Frisco Shopping Center in Frisco. Daily 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Outer Beaches Realty in Hatteras village, Avon, and Waves. Daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Surf-or-Sound Realty in Avon. Daily 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Blue Whale in Salvo. Daily 6:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. through Nov. 22.

Burrus Red & White Supermarket in Hatteras village. Daily 7 a.m. – 8 p.m

Midgett Realty in Hatteras, Avon, and Rodanthe. Daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Food-drive organizer Linda Browning advises contributors who might drop off food at collection points other than those listed above that they ask the establishments whether or not the food is for the Hatteras Island Food Pantry.  Sometimes there are other drives in progress that may be for off-island food pantries.

When you’re shopping for food to donate, try to buy “complete meals.”   If you buy spaghetti, pick up some spaghetti sauce and some grated cheese, too.  If you buy cereal, grab a box of non-fat dry milk and a bag of sugar.  Also, consider donating personal care products and cleaning supplies.  These run out very quickly.  Don’t forget dog food, cat food, and kitty litter, too! 

The items that usually are in highest demand are spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, grated cheese, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, non-fat dry milk, sugar, cooking oil, pancake mix, pancake syrup, flour, biscuit mix, shortening, salt and pepper, canned meats, canned tuna, shampoo, shaving cream, bath soap, deodorant, toothpaste, dish detergent (for hand washing), laundry supplies, dog food, cat food, kitty litter.

Please donate only unopened foods and those that have not gone past their expiration dates. Food that is no longer “in date” may not be safe to eat. 

If you do not have time to shop, please consider making a monetary donation.  It’s tax-deductible.  Checks should be written to United Methodist Men and mailed to Hatteras Island Food Pantry, P.O. Box 1591, Buxton, NC 27920.

If you have questions or would like more information about ongoing needs of the Hatteras Island Food Pantry, you may contact Linda Browning at 252-995-3662.