By Catherine M. Welch
Wilmington, NC – Food pantries across the Cape Fear region are trying to figure out how to feed an increasing number of hungry residents when their own cupboards are looking bare.
An alliance of Brunswick County churches, called Mana Ministries, has formed to fill the growing need of feeding residents in the northern part of the county. Victory Freewill Baptist Church Pastor Jay Merritt says he's seeing more families at the monthly food pantry, due in large part to the lack of construction jobs in the once booming county.
"You drive through these areas that used to have carpentry, and drills and saws and hammers pounding all the time. There's nothing going on right now."
Merritt says the food pantry opens near the end of the month to help families that have run out of food stamps. He says they give away enough food to last three or four days. The next food pantry is Saturday November 22nd between 9:00 and 11:00am.
Brunswick Family Assistance says its demand is up by 70%, while donations have remained level. The agency says it is seeing more working poor seeking food assistance.
To Make A Donation
Donations of cash or food accepted at Victory Freewill Baptist Church in Leland.
9835 Wayne St NE, Leland, NC
(910) 371-6424
Click here for a map to Victory Freewill Baptist Church.
Do you have insight or expertise on this topic? Please email us, we'd like to hear from you. news@whqr.org.