Annual food drive is now underway on Hatteras Island
The 17th annual island-wide Food Drive to benefit the Hatteras Island Food Pantry in Buxton is now in progress. The drive will continue through December.
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.
The needs of the Hatteras Island community have increased significantly in the last couple of years, mainly because of rising unemployment caused by a steady decline in the construction trades and the tourism industry. As a matter of fact, this past summer saw an unprecedented demand on the Food Pantry, and the first-ever island-wide Summer Food Drive was quickly organized to restock the pantry’s shelves that were almost bare.
Walton Fulcher, Food Pantry coordinator, thanks all of you who have supported the food drive in the past and asks for continued help.
“Without it, the pantry would find it impossible to get through the winter months, the period of greatest need when unemployment is the highest,” Fulcher says.
He emphasizes that 100 percent of all monetary donations goes to help islanders. “None is used to pay administrative expenses or executive salaries,” says Fulcher.
An urgent appeal is being made to both visitors and residents to contribute to this community outreach. For your convenience, there are drop-off locations in every village on the island. They are:
Hatteras Realty in Hatteras Village, Avon, and Waves (Daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Our Lady of the Seas 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 and Salvo (Daily 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 a.m.)
The Blue Whale in Salvo (7 a.m. – 8 p.m. through Nov. 30)
Hatteras Island Family Medicine – Frisco (Monday -Thursday, 8-12 noon and 1-4:30)
Dancing Turtle Coffee Shop – Hatteras (daily 7-5)
Food Drive organizer, Linda Browning, advises donors, who might drop off food at collection points other than those listed above, to 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, keep in mind buying “complete meals.” Also consider donating personal care products and cleaning supplies. These run out very quickly. Remember pet food, too!
Here’s a shopping list that will help you select those items in highest demand:
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 fish, shampoo, shaving cream, bath soap, deodorant, toothpaste, dish detergent, laundry supplies, dog food, cat food
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 don’t have time to shop, consider making a monetary donation. It’s tax deductible. Checks should be written to United Methodist Men and mailed to Hatteras Island Food Pantry, PO Box 1591, Buxton, NC 27920.
Please contact Linda Browning at (252) 995-3662 if you have questions or would like more information about on-going needs of the Food Pantry.
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