About

Our Programs

Get Involved

News & Resources

Find Food

About

Our Programs

Get Involved

News & Resources

Find Food

The Story of PORCH

The PORCH journey began with a simple question from founders Christine Cotton, Debbie Horwitz, and Susan Romaine:  What if neighbors could keep their local food pantry stocked by sharing their generosity right from their own front porches?

What began with a few cans of tuna collected from front porches in one neighborhood grew into a sustainable monthly food drive model — easy, consistent, inclusive, and flexible. That year, PORCH Chapel Hill-Carrboro and PORCH Western Wake were founded.

Picture of a Bag

2010

PORCH is now in more than 250 neighborhoods serving thousands of families through dozens of local pantries.

Picture of a Bag

2014

The success of this grassroots model quickly spread to nearby towns. Our PORCH for Pantries program was formalized, and new chapters launched in Hillsborough, Durham, Raleigh, and Hickory.

Picture of a Bag

2011

1

1

Neighborhoods

Christine Cotton founded PORCH Communities to bring PORCH and the PORCH for Pantries model to neighborhoods across the country.

Picture of a Bag

2017

$1m

$1m

in hunger relief

PORCH Communities reached $5 million in hunger relief contributions as new chapters and volunteers continue to join our growing movement.

Picture of a Bag

2019

To expand the fight against hunger, PORCH Communities introduced PORCH for Schools, ensuring students have healthy snacks, and PORCH Fresh, connecting families with fresh produce, meat, and dairy.

Picture of a Bag

2021

$3m

$3m

in hunger relief

10th PORCH Chapter!

Our 10th PORCH chapter opened, marking a decade of grassroots growth.

Picture of a Bag

2020

More than a thousand volunteers powered our growth, as we opened our 20th chapter and delivered $10 million in hunger relief.

Picture of a Bag

2022

$5m

$5m

in hunger relief

We launched the PORCH Student Ambassador Program, empowering students to fight hunger in their hometowns and college communities.

Picture of a Bag

2023

PORCH Communities reached a major milestone — providing more than $15 million in hunger relief to local communities nationwide, across 13 states supporting 242 food pantries.

Picture of a Bag

2024

PORCH Communities reached a major milestone — providing more than $15 million in hunger relief to local communities nationwide, across 13 states supporting 242 food pantries.

Picture of a Bag

2024

200

200

Food Pantries

$10m

$10m

in hunger relief

What began with a few cans of tuna collected from front porches in one neighborhood grew into a sustainable monthly food drive model — easy, consistent, inclusive, and flexible. That year, PORCH Chapel Hill-Carrboro and PORCH Western Wake were founded.

Picture of a Bag

2010

PORCH is now in more than 250 neighborhoods serving thousands of families through dozens of local pantries.

Picture of a Bag

2014

The success of this grassroots model quickly spread to nearby towns. Our PORCH for Pantries program was formalized, and new chapters launched in Hillsborough, Durham, Raleigh, and Hickory.

Picture of a Bag

2011

1

1

Neighborhoods

Christine Cotton founded PORCH Communities to bring PORCH and the PORCH for Pantries model to neighborhoods across the country.

Picture of a Bag

2017

$1m

$1m

in hunger relief

PORCH Communities reached $5 million in hunger relief contributions as new chapters and volunteers continue to join our growing movement.

Picture of a Bag

2019

To expand the fight against hunger, PORCH Communities introduced PORCH for Schools, ensuring students have healthy snacks, and PORCH Fresh, connecting families with fresh produce, meat, and dairy.

Picture of a Bag

2021

$3m

$3m

in hunger relief

10th PORCH Chapter!

Our 10th PORCH chapter opened, marking a decade of grassroots growth.

Picture of a Bag

2020

More than a thousand volunteers powered our growth, as we opened our 20th chapter and delivered $10 million in hunger relief.

Picture of a Bag

2022

$5m

$5m

in hunger relief

We launched the PORCH Student Ambassador Program, empowering students to fight hunger in their hometowns and college communities.

Picture of a Bag

2023

PORCH Communities reached a major milestone — providing more than $15 million in hunger relief to local communities nationwide, across 13 states supporting 242 food pantries.

Picture of a Bag

2024

200

200

Food Pantries

$10m

$10m

in hunger relief