by CORA Food Pantry

Food insecurity is a pressing issue in Chatham County, where 13% of residents experience difficulty accessing consistent, nutritious meals, according to Feeding America. This challenge is felt most acutely by the 10% of the county’s population living at or below the poverty line, struggling to balance basic needs like housing, utilities, and food. These numbers reflect a sobering reality: too many individuals and families are forced to make impossible choices between feeding their children and covering essential expenses, leading to an ongoing cycle of hardship.

In addition, 26% of Chatham County residents are considered low-income, highlighting the deep-rooted economic instability that amplifies the issue of hunger. These households are often one unexpected expense away from crisis, with limited resources to secure adequate food. As hunger quietly persists, it underscores the urgent need for community-wide efforts to address food insecurity and ensure that no one has to face the overwhelming stress of not knowing where their next meal will come from.

CORA, the largest nonprofit organization in Chatham County addressing food insecurity, stands at the forefront of the fight against hunger. With its network of dedicated volunteers, compassionate staff, and generous donors, CORA operates with a deep sense of urgency to ensure no family goes hungry. Last year, CORA distributed 1.8 million meals across 28,578 family visits. This is a significant increase from the previous year. The number of families served has grown by 21%, the amount of food distributed has surged by 40%, and requests for assistance have risen by 40%. These figures highlight the importance of addressing hunger and supporting our community’s most vulnerable members.

* The statistics for 10% and 26% above are from the NCBudget and Tax Center.

Agencies Helping to End Hunger in Chatham County

CORA Food Pantry
40 Camp Drive in Pittsboro, NC

• Food Pantry Shopping Monday–Thursday from 10am–2pm and drive-through service Friday 10am–12 pm. Satellite pantry at Freedom Family Church at 421 N. Holly Avenue in Siler City. Food distribution is on the second Saturday of the month from
10am–12pm.

• Mobile Market Drive-through model where pre-packed groceries are placed in vehicles. 

• SNACK! Distributes food to more than 1,300 kids who depend upon free or reduced-cost meals at school during the school year but have little or no replacement for this nutrition when school is not in session. 

• CORApacks Every student receives food on weekends and during school breaks from September through June when school is not in session. The program delivers a monthly food box to each child’s home, which contains three meals and two snacks per day for when a child is not in school.

• Delivery to Older Adults – We deliver food to home-bound older adults in our community. 

Chatham Alliance
• Community Harvest raises money and sources food products from local suppliers to produce and distribute frozen meals to neighbors in need. Meals are distributed through Communities in Schools of Chatham County, CORA Food Pantry, FeedWell Fridges, and Chatham Chuckwagon.

• Chatham Chuckwagon Meals are prepared in local professional kitchens with a strict adherence to Serve-Safe standards to ensure food safety and quality. Meals are vacuum packed then frozen. Ready to heat and serve bowls are available from curbside pick up at 2 locations:
Pittsboro – St. Bartholomew’s Church, 204 W. Sailisbury St. on Tuesdays, 4:30–6pm
Siler City – Countryside Collectibles Mall, 219 Chatham Square, on the 2nd and 3rd Fridays 11:30am–1pm

Community Lunch
Free lunch at St. Bartholomew’s Church,
204 W. Salisbury St. Each Thursday Drive-thru 11:30am– 12:30pm; Inside
service from 12:30–1:30pm.

Feedwell Fridges
Donated food from farmers, restaurants, and grocery stores is cooked into meals, packed and delivered to working refridgerators around Chatham County for people in need to help themselves.

Quiltmaker Cafe
The Quiltmaker Café continues the search for a location for their nonprofit, counter-service restaurant, offering tasty, healthy meals to all guests regardless of their ability to donate.

COMMUNITY FEAST / Sunday, October 27, 5pm