A growing number of Macon County families are turning to food banks to help get them through the holidays and beyond.
Macon Program for Progress is responding to the need by raising $2,500 for MANNA Food Bank, a donation that will be matched by the Nantahala Health Foundation through its 31 Days of Giving program.
The need for the food supplement program has skyrocketed this year, according to Chuck Sutton, MPP’s executive director. Sutton said the number of visitors has more than doubled since the pandemic took its toll on the economy
“It’s increased dramatically in demand since March,” said. “Before the pandemic, we were seeing about 400 individuals a month. After the pandemic, it was more like 900.”
MPP will be reaching out to its regular donors and the general public to raise money to help support MANNA’s monthly mobile markets in Macon County, Sutton said. MANNA’s Nov. 9 mobile market in the county served 857 people before running out of food, according to MANNA.
MANNA’s next drive-thru market is set for 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14 at the Macon County Fairgrounds at 1436 Georgia Road.
Sutton encourages residents who have money to spare to offer their gifts this December to help stretch the money as far as possible and make sure no one in Macon County has to go hungry for the holidays.
“It’s an opportunity for us to address an acute need in our community,” Sutton said. “Helping our neighbors is what this season is all about.”
Donations must be made through the Nantahala Health Foundation’s online portal at www.nantahalahealthfoundation.org/donate. For more information on how to support Macon Program for Progress, call 828-524-447 or go to mppnhc.org.
The Franklin-based Nantahala Health Foundation, created and funded with proceeds from the HCA acquisition of Mission Health, is dedicated to addressing “social detriments” to health and wellbeing among citizens of North Carolina’s seven westernmost counties. This year, the foundation is providing up to 20 different non-profits throughout its reach with up to $2,500 in fund matching to encourage them to raise money for public health initiatives.
“As 2020 marches toward its conclusion (thankfully), we here at Nantahala Health Foundation realize most of this year has been incredibly difficult for all of us,” the foundation said in a statement. “That’s why we want to help 20 non-profit partners finish the year strong. We are seeking to collaborate with Western North Carolina nonprofits on an end-of-year effort to build capacity, heighten awareness and expand support for your valuable work.”
CareNet sees more need than ever
The increase in food insecurity is being felt by other non-profits as well. CareNet, for example, is busier than ever. CareNet executive director Tim Hogsed said the organization has shattered records for the surging need it’s had to address this year even before the holidays.
“We’ve given out 393,775 lbs. of food and helped 12,904 individuals this year, and those numbers are from around the end of October,” Hogsed said. “By the end of the year, we’ll probably have gone through close to half a million pounds of food and almost 20,000 people.”
For more information and to donate to CareNet, go to maconcarenet.org. To learn about volunteer opportunities, call 828-369-2642.