RALEIGH, N.C. — Food pantries are seeing an alarming increase in the number of families in need of their services.
With inflation making it harder for families to survive, food pantries across the state need help to make sure no child goes to bed hungry.
What you need to know: Because of inflation, Catholic Charities in Raleigh and its five food pantries across the state have seen a 30 percent increase in visits to food pantries.
On average, they see between 125 and 150 families a day, said program director Kelly Rapple.
Catholic Charities will host a Drive-Out Hunger Golf Tournament at Preston Country Club in Cary on Aug. 5 to raise funds for needy families.
Joe Wildman has been volunteering at food pantries like Catholic Charities for four years because he knows how much families need help.
Inflation has led to a 30 percent increase in visits to Catholic Charities in Raleigh and five food pantries across the state.
“The increase in need is concerning. The number of families coming in is a little heartbreaking and it’s only going to get worse,” Wildeman said.
With children out of school for the summer, food pantries are some of their only option.
On average, they see between 125 and 150 families a day, said program director Kelly Rapple.
“Unfortunately, hunger can affect anyone in your neighborhood. It could be the person sitting next to you on the bus. It could be the person sitting next to you at work or church. Hunger has so many different faces. It doesn’t discriminate,” Rapple said.
“I love seeing the families come in and be so happy for the basic things that we take for granted,” Wildeman said. “It’s so much fun to feed them and see that moment of relief.”
Catholic Charities will host a “Drive Out Hunger Golf” tournament Aug. 5 at Preston Country Club in Cary to raise funds for families in need.
The organization prefers monetary donations, which allows for higher wholesale prices, but canned goods and other essentials also help.
To find out how you can help or to learn more about the 7th Annual Drive Out Hunger Golf Outing, click here
