Kids Eat Free provided by Chatham County Schools
For those of you desiring a worthwhile endeavor to support during these difficult times, please consider the Chatham County Schools (CCS) food for kids. CCS fed over 2600 meals to children in our community, providing free breakfast and lunch. Meals can be picked up daily at fourteen (14) school sites and mobile delivery is made to six (6) additional sites. Food is available to all children regardless of what school they attend and or where they reside.
The Chatham County School Nutrition Services works with two food pantries who also provide food to the kids: West Chatham Food Bank and CORA. The following provides information about the programs and where donations can be made.
Chatham County Schools
These are extraordinary times, affecting everyone and Chatham County Schools (CCS) are providing free breakfast and lunch to all children, ages 18 years and under. Breakfast and lunch can be picked up curbside at school locations, and mobile delivery is made to additional sites. Food is available to all children regardless of what school they attend or where they reside. Adult meals can be purchased, $2 for breakfast and $4 for lunch.
Families may pick up food distributed by the Chatham County School Nutrition staff and school employees, at curbside, minimizing any safety concerns. Information and updates on meal services, including locations and times, are available at Nutrition Services Facebook.
Food will be placed in safe and sanitized food containers with a safety label including instructions for safe food handling information.
Donations are welcome to the Chatham County School Nutrition Program.
Please make the check payable to Chatham County School Nutrition Services, 369 West Street, PO Box 128, Pittsboro NC 27312
Information is available about Chatham County Schools District Website and Facebook page.
Food Pantries
West Chatham Food Pantry (Chatham Residents Only)
Feeding the children is their number one priority, as well as their families, if possible. West Chatham Food Pantry Fuel Up program provides about 1000 weekend bags monthly to five schools, approximately 2700 students. Due to the coronavirus, they may expand service to local churches who have children in need. Additionally, they are starting to provide Fuel Up bags to children through their drive-up service at the pantry.
West Chatham Food Pantry welcomes and would much appreciate:
Food donations: rice, dried pinto beans, canned items, franks & beans, pasta, canned corn, chicken ramen noodles, cereal cups, white and chocolate milk, chicken noodle soup, animal crackers or nabs, fruit packs, diced tomatoes and small fruit cups or pudding.
Monetary donations: West Chatham Food Pantry, include on the memo line Fuel Up and mail to PO Box 254, Siler City NC 27344.
Curbside drop off food donations are available at the Pantry – new address is 2535 Old Hwy 421N Siler City 27344, (919) 742-3111. The food pantry is open Monday 4:30 to 6pm, Wednesday 12:30 – 2pm and Friday 12:30 – 2pm.
Food donations can be made at any time. If the pantry is closed, contact lougiovenco@gmail.com or call (941) 468- 5130. Lou will meet anyone who would like to donate, opening the doors to the pantry. For information and questions, send an email to wcfoodpantry@gmail.com
CORA (Chatham Outreach Alliance)
CORA provides food to individuals and families within our community who are in need during difficult personal economic periods. These are extraordinary times and CORA is continuing their work to create a community without hunger. CORA is grateful for you and their partners’ work to support vulnerable neighbors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The true strength of a community lies in our ability to come together and care for each other, especially during times of need and uncertainty.
CORA welcomes and would much appreciate:
Food donations: canned veggies, fruits, and proteins, such as tuna, chicken, SPAM, and ham. In addition, kid-friendly food is appreciated, such as single-serve mac and cheese, applesauce, cereal bars, fruit snacks, cheese and crackers, and juice boxes.
Monetary donations: CORA can make a dollar go much further than an individual can because they’re able to buy in bulk. Please send donations to CORA at PO Box 1326, Pittsboro, NC 27312 or give securely online here.
Curbside drop off donations can be made at the Pantry: 40 Camp Drive in Pittsboro, NC, 919-542-5020, Monday through Friday between 9am and 3pm.
For the latest news and updates, check their website.
The most recent updates to Food for Children in Chatham County can be found here.
We will be posting resources for other counties on this website as we find them. Please check back frequently.