Special to Iredell Free News
Fifth Street Ministries has received a $2,300 contribution from the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation to help nourish neighbors experiencing hunger. The Feeding the Hungry grant supports Fifth Street Ministries’ Shelter Community Kitchen efforts.
The community kitchen at Fifth Street Ministries serves three meals a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The majority of those served are residents in the community shelter program.
Fifth Street serves breakfast to night shelter guests and transitional housing/emergency shelter residents. Lunch and dinner are open to anyone needing a hot meal. In addition, Fifth Street Ministries provides meals for My Sister’s House residents, the nonprofit’s program addressing domestic and sexual violence, veterans transitional house, and PATH (Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness) House, which is a resource for those living unsheltered. In addition, the grant supports community feeding partners by helping neighbors increase their access to nutritious food and providing nutrition education to eliminate health risks for those experiencing food insecurity.
“At Fifth Street Ministries, our food programs not only include the community kitchen, but we offer a component that includes food boxes (through a partnership with United Way of Iredell County and DoorDash) and a pilot program for healthier food boxes through a partnership with Iredell Health System,” said Michele Knapp, executive director.
In 2022, Feeding America estimates approximately 49 million people received charitable food assistance. With inflation at an all-time high and the rising cost of food, more neighbors in need have turned to food distribution.
The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation is committed to supporting families facing food insecurity across its 10-state footprint. Established in 2001, the foundation provides financial support for programs and organizations dedicated to feeding local neighbors in the communities it serves. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded more than $18.1 million in grants.