Are you with Common Heart?”

This was the question that sparked a memorable conversation last week for our Operations Director, Nelson. He was working with volunteers to clean up after one of our food pantries in Monroe when a gentleman pulled into the parking lot with this question.

This Marine veteran explained that for months now he’d been having weekly meals with the mother of one of his fellow Marines who recently passed away. He didn’t realize until recently that she’s a regular to our food pantries and that was the only way she was able to have enough food for both of them.

“I just wanted to say thank you because when you were feeding her, you were feeding me too,” he said. “These meals have allowed us to continue to keep in touch and look out for each other.”

What a wonderful reminder of how powerful kindness and a few groceries can be!

Can you help ensure that more families get the food and hope they need?

This last year because of you over 14,000 children, parents, grandparents and individuals right here in our community have been provided the basic necessity of food. Reduction of government pandemic food stamps, inflation and the challenges of economic stability for low income families post pandemic have hit many hard! Thanks to your support over 30% more individuals received food from this pantry network this year than last!

The large rise of individuals seeking food collided with a reduction of food provided by a government program providing food for pantry distribution. This is our main source of nonperishable food for the 4 weekly evening pantries. As the numbers rose, the supply literally became a trickle. Thanks to your continued support, families coming to the pantries are not being turned away!

As we face the new year we are preparing for this reduction to fully hit and counting on friends like you to sustain this small revolution of kindness for our food insecure neighbors. A rising tide of compassion and kindness is our Christmas wish for our neighbors. And thanks to friends like you, I believe it is coming!

Your #OurChristmasWish gift of size will sustain a rising tide of compassion and kindness across this community!  You can make that tax deductible donation online at Donate.CommonHeart.org or mail a check (payable to Common Heart) to: PO Box 2761, Indian Trail, NC 28079.