Hatteras Island food pantries are still up and running, but help is needed

The Lifeline Outreach OBX food pantry in Salvo has not seen a drop in activity since businesses across the island were shuttered this past week, but they are seeing a shortage of supplies.

“We are truly experiencing a shortage of food to distribute,” said organizer and administrator Rev. Wade Weigel. “We served enough food for 46 people [on Saturday], and that was rationed.”

“We served 16 households in the first 20 minutes of distribution. People are lining up early,” he added.

Though the Salvo food pantry receives donations from all across the Outer Banks, their primary suppliers are the Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills Food Lions and the Fresh Market, which stock the pantry’s shelves with donations weekly. However, shipments have been leaner in recent days, as grocery stores need to keep up with current demand, and donations are especially appreciated at the OBX Lifeline center to keep supplies in stock. “We are seriously in need of support right now,” said Weigel.

Even so, Lifeline Outreach OBX’s food pantry is continuing its regular hours of operation – Wednesdays from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m., and Saturdays from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. – without any interruptions.

“We [just] want to make sure the grocery stores and their staff know how appreciative we are for the amazing amount of work they are putting in to serve our community,” said Weigel. “We couldn’t do what we do without them, and I’m super proud of our team for doing all they’ve done to adapt to safe distribution protocol.”

The good news is that multiple organizations on Hatteras Island that assist or manage food pantries attest that they are running as scheduled, with normal hours of operation, if applicable.

Pastor Gina Miller of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Avon says that the tiny food pantry outside of the church’s doors in the parking lot is being stocked, and is open to residents in need, 24/7.

Meanwhile, the Cape Hatteras United Methodist Men (CHUMM) recently launched a program to provide financial assistance to individuals and families who have suffered a loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Assistance will be provided for rent or mortgage payments and utility payments, and access will also be provided to the Buxton food pantry.

The Buxton food pantry is also operating on a normal schedule, (Monday through Thursday by appointment only, and open distribution on Fridays from 1:30 – 2:00 p.m.), for folks with a voucher from Dare County Social Services, which also assists in orchestrating all forms of assistance from CHUMM. Folks can call 252-475-9320 and request a phone interview with the case manager at the Frisco office to inquire about assistance available.

Simply put, food and necessary supplies are available throughout the island via food pantries and charitable organizations, but help is needed at this time to keep the supply chain going strong.

While residents in need should rest assured that help is available if they need it, folks with a little more financial wiggle room are encouraged to give if they can. With community assistance, organizations like the Cape Hatteras United Methodist Men and Lifeline Outreach OBX can ensure that no one in the local community goes hungry in the days and weeks ahead.

How You Can Help

• Lifeline Outreach OBX welcomes donations, volunteers and partnerships of all varieties, including organizations, local businesses, and individuals who want to make a donation. For more information on how you can lend a hand, call (252) 489-0306, email lifelineobx@gmail.com, or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pg/LifelineOutreachOBX/.
• The public can donate to CHUMM via the Cape Hatteras United Methodist Men website at https://www.hatterasmethodistmen.org/ Supporters can also donate by mail. Checks should be written to United Methodist Men and mailed to Cape Hatteras United Methodist Men, P.O Box 1591, Buxton, NC 27920.