According to a recent study by Feeding America—a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks—North Carolina ranks among the 10 worst states in the nation for food insecurity. Here in the Piedmont, 1 in 4 children are unsure of where their next meal will come from.
In August the city began the Think Orange campaign after receiving a $115,000 grant from the National League of Cities to develop programs addressing hunger. But that money is set to run out in December. So, at the Benton Convention Center downtown Tuesday, Mayor Allen Joines along with North Ward City Council Member Denise Adams presented a path forward.
“Today we announce the beginning of a Think Orange corporate investment fund," he said. “We're going to be raising $500,000 to help sustain this program over the next five years. We got a nice kick-off for that in that Hanesbrands announced that they'll be donating 2,200 pairs of orange socks that will be helping to continue the push for this in our city.”
Adams called on a community-wide effort to address food insecurity.
“This is something we all can help do,” said Adams. “We understand and know that when children, adults, and special needs folks are hungry it impedes their quality of life. In order for us to advance people out of poverty, we need to make sure that they're healthy with nutrition every day.”
The orange socks will be sold at Lowes Foods with all proceeds going to the Think Orange campaign. The grocery chain also presented a check for $90,000 to the Second Harvest Food Bank in an effort to support hunger relief programs there.