Drive-thru food distribution provides assistance to 1,600 in Mooresville (Photo Gallery)

BY DEBBIE PAGE

Niagara Cares, the charitable division of Niagara Bottling, partnered with Feed the Children, Food For Days, Iredell-Statesville Schools, and the Mooresville Graded School District on Tuesday to distribute 400 family kits of shelf-stable food, cases of bottled water, boxes of daily personal essentials, children’s toys and books, and other resources to local families.

Feed the Children Account Strategy and Corporate Partnerships Director Dan Stephens welcomed the group to the Teen Fuzion Center distribution location, noting his organization’s mission is to end children’s hunger.

“We’re in business to put ourselves out of business,” he said. “Today we work for a world in which no child goes to bed hungry!”

With the recent government shutdown, Stephens asserted that many are struggling more than they ever had.

“What you all are doing today is invaluable. You are truly changing families’ lives,” he said, pointing at the long line of cars waiting for food boxes more than an hour before the event.

Stephens noted the cost of food, energy, transportation, and housing are rising, making dollars for food more scarce.

Each family received a box containing 25 to 30 pounds of shelf-stable food such as pasta, peanut butter, and canned goods. They also received a box containing essential items, such as toothpaste, deodorant, razors, and tooth brushes, that many families on federal assistance struggle to purchase.

Getting these items will help families stretch their budget dollars further.

Stephens thanked Niagara Cares, which has supported Feed the Children for almost 16 years. The participating local organizations were also invaluable in helping organize and coordinate event logistics.

Mooresville Niagara Plant Director Dustin Henis said the items being distributed would serve 1,600 local residents. Nearly 8 percent of Mooresville residents live below the poverty line, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Niagara Cares provides financial donations, volunteer time, and water to support local communities,So far this year, the foundation has provided resources to feed 26,000 people. Over the next five years, the foundation’s goal is to feed 150,000 neighbors.

Food for Days Executive Director Karen Swan thanked her board and volunteers for their event support. She also expressed her gratitude to Iredell-Statesville School’s Community Liaison Marlene Scott for her organization of the signups and meeting technology needs.

Food for Days started in 2011 by providing food for 10 children in one school. The organization now serves 460 students in 19 area schools, with the support of community members and sponsors such as Niagara.

Scott expressed her excitement to express love to the grateful families lined up to receive these boxes. “They are so appreciative and cannot say thank you enough,” she said.

She thanked Feed the Children, Food for Days, and Niagara Bottling for helping I-SS meet the needs of students and their families.

Aaron Hazel, Feed the Children director of events, asked volunteers to bless and love on the recipients. He explained how the five drive-thru distribution stations would issue food and hygiene essential boxes, cases of water, books, Squishmellow toys, and cases of water to each vehicle.

Hazel asked volunteers to urge recipients to answer a survey about the items they received to be entered to win a $25 grocery gift card. He also thanked DJ Dr. Reid for providing music to keep volunteers’ energy up.

After a group picture, excited and smiling volunteers fanned out to stations to begin serving families in their cars for the next two hours.