Take a step against hunger, virtually! Food Bank of the Albemarle’s annual Walk for Hunger is moving to a virtual event this year, with fundraising opportunities available online or by mailing collected funds to the Food Bank.
The Walk is usually held the second Sunday in October, filled with crowds of locals eager to stretch their legs and walk a few miles to raise awareness and financial support for the Food Bank’s 155 programs in northeastern North Carolina. Due to restrictions on public gatherings, and in the interest of safety for all Food Bank supporters, the decision was made to move the Walk’s fundraising to a virtual option.
“COVID-19 has created many challenges for the communities we serve, from the health and safety of those most vulnerable to the financial and economic hardship,” said Executive Director Liz Reasoner. “There has never been a time in the history of the Food Bank with the kind of increase we are seeing in both need, and distribution, which has risen 62% since March.”
Food insecurity in Food Bank of the Albemarle’s 15-county service area was an estimated 47,910 individuals, with 13,900 children at the beginning of 2020. With the pandemic and nationwide increases in unemployment and business closures, those numbers have risen significantly.
“The estimate of food insecure people in our area is now 65,070,” Reasoner added. “The number of food insecurity among children is now 20,440. These are our veterans, families, and children facing hunger. We need the public’s financial support today, to help feed your neighbors for the foreseeable future.”
You can register and donate for the Virtual Walk for Hunger through October 31st. Visit www.afoodbank.org, or download a pledge form to share with your friends, family, congregation, and co-workers. Donations can also be mailed (please put WALK in the memo line) to:
Food Bank of the Albemarle
PO Box 1704
Elizabeth City, NC 27906-1704
The Walk for Hunger is generously sponsored by our Presenting Sponsor, Food Lion; Gold Sponsor – Montero’s Restaurant, Bar, & Catering; Silver Sponsor: Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty; and Bronze Sponsors – Biggs Cadillac-GMC Truck, Carolina Designs Realty, Select Bank & Trust, and TowneBank.
For more information, call (252) 335-4035 or visit www.afoodbank.org.
