PORCH Charlotte is an all-volunteer, grassroots hunger relief organization whose mission is to collect and distribute food for all those going hungry in the Charlotte community.
In November 2015, PORCH Charlotte held its first neighborhood food drive. We grew for several years, and had a short hiatus due to lack of volunteers. Then COVID-19 happened, and our local food banks and pantries saw an increased demand as the pandemic continued.
Food security is a household’s ability to access nutritious foods, which contributes to an active and healthy life through physical, social, and economic means. According to Mecklenburg County’s Public Health Department, nearly 15% of Mecklenburg County’s households are considered food insecure, which means they have a reduced quality and variety of diet, may eat less, and eating patterns are disrupted due to lack of money and resources.
Now more than ever, there is a higher demand for services and more need for volunteer and donor support. That makes our focus on reducing and ultimately eliminating hunger in Charlotte even more critical.
Started in 2010 in Chapel Hill, NC, PORCH is an all-volunteer, grassroots hunger relief organization that has collected and donated more than $4.8 million in hunger relief across all their communities.
PORCH is built around the very simple idea of a neighborhood food drive. Here’s how it works, in three easy steps:
The three-step process is easy, fast, and it’s also safe.
During the collection week, coordinate food collection in your neighborhood, on your street or even your cul-de-sac. Whether you collect from 2, 20 or 200 houses – we need your help!
If this is something you’d be willing to participate in by leaving non-perishable food on your porch once a month or serving as a neighborhood coordinator, please let us know and email michelle@porchcommuninties.org. It is a lot of fun working together as a neighborhood to help others. Food insecurity is at an all-time high right now, and this is a good way for those who are able to help those who really need it.
Email us
We collect in the following neighborhoods. If you don’t see your neighborhood listed, we would love to add you to our list! Email michelle@porchcommunities.org for more information.
Reach out to us at michelle@porchcommunities.org and we will let you know if there is a coordinator in your neighborhood or where the closest physical drop-off location is that month.
If you know of a food pantry that could benefit from PORCH CHarlotte, please email charlotte@porchcommunities.org
The Madison Park neighborhood currently partners with Wedgewood Community Church Food Pantry, which operates in partnership with Hearts Beat As One Foundation. Click on the link for a great article about the pantry and how they serve others.