Since Our Official Launch On November 21, 2020:

Many individuals and families living in Raleigh, NC, regularly struggle with food insecurity. As of 2014, nearly 14% (approximately 132,000) of the city’s residents were food insecure, a number that’s undoubtedly risen due to its growing population and the ongoing effects of COVID-19. According to data compiled by the USDA, Southeast Raleigh in particular is home to a disproportionate number of households that lack reliable transportation. The residents of these same households also live in food deserts, meaning they reside a significant distance from the nearest supermarket or grocery store. 

Through the analysis of data featured on the Wake County Social Equity Atlas, we've identified 6 low-income, high-SAP-receiving census tracts located in Southeast Raleigh, consisting of 8605 households, 18.5% (1597) of which are located in food deserts. This data, along with helpful anecdotal information shared with us by Wake County community members working to combat food insecurity, have helped us develop a free food distribution service to help remedy the food insecurity issues of the residents in the aforementioned households - specifically the most at-risk members of the population (low-income, senior citizens, and the homeless).

We've conducted extensive research into assessing where the needs for a free food distribution service are most pressing in Southeast, East, and Northeast Raleigh. Through communication with numerous community partners, including Wake County Human Services, the Wake County Office of Sustainability, the NC Cooperative Extension, and Southeast Raleigh Promise, as well as data derived from the aforementioned Social Equity Atlas and USDA Food Desert Map, we've identified 20 different neighborhood areas to which we currently make free weekly deliveries of nutrient-dense grocery bundles containing fresh produce and non-perishable food items.

The organizing principle behind our program is to combat food insecurity by delivering free healthy food and supplies directly to neighborhood residents who lack both transportation and physical proximity to available food sources. Ever since launching our efforts in November 2020, we've made tremendous progress in accomplishing our goal of lifting thousands of kids and families permanently out of food insecurity.

Each week, we deliver at least 10,000 lbs of free, healthy groceries to the homes of 500+ unique individuals throughout East, Southeast, and Northeast Raleigh. We also deliver such essential supplies as free clothing, free furniture, free computers, and free diapers and other baby-related items to the families who need them.

Most importantly, through the efforts of our dedicated social work team, we provide free support services to help meet all the needs of the kids and families we serve, including in such areas as housing, employment, addiction recovery, and education.

Here's how we're doing it: