“Feed a Family” Fall Outreach Begins with Challenge to the Community
A unique partnership between a local church and the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District will provide food during the holidays for families in dire need, and area citizens are encouraged to join in the ambitious project by providing donations. Initial efforts last year supported 20 families, and the goal this year is to increase that to 50 families.
First United Methodist Church has issued a challenge to the community that it will match donations up to $17,500 to fund the program for this school year. Nina Pinnicchia, Director of School Nutrition for the schools, and liaisons in each school identify the needs of the families, and the donations fund meals, food staples, and other support for the families. Holiday meals will be delivered to 50 families for both the Thanksgiving and Christmas weekends. Volunteers from the church and community plan to prepare a special holiday bag for each family that will accompany the Christmas meal.
“This is a great partnership,” Interim Superintendent Julie Thompson said. “Through our staff, we are able to identify critical needs in our school families, and the money raised by the church and community fund our ability to help meet those needs.” Pastor Tracy Sexton of First United Methodist Church agreed, “We are grateful that, through the generosity of people in our church and community, we are able to join the schools in providing support for these families.”
Pinnicchia is excited that the program has grown significantly this year. In addition to holiday meals, the program hopes to provide food for families for long weekends when school meals are not available. When the pandemic conditions improve significantly, the Feed a Family program hopes to provide classes for families to support them in providing nutritional meals for their families.
The church is offering holiday gift cards that donors may send to acknowledge contributions to this program in honor or memory of loved ones. Donors may send checks to First United Methodist Church (note: Feed a Family), 339 Roanoke Avenue, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 or call 537-2173 ext 1 if they have questions.