A winter food drive held for the first time to assist stocking the food pantries of the Chatham Out Reach Alliance, (CORA) and the Salvation Army, is the latest in a series of initiatives led by the Carolina Meadows Community Outreach Volunteers Committee.

   Boxes were placed in the Club Center lobby for a week December 4-11. All kinds of non-perishable foods were welcome. Suggestions given were: canned meats, such as chicken, ham, tuna, canned fruits, spaghetti or other sauces, pasta, rice, peanut butter, crackers, canned vegetables.

   At the end of the week Carolina Meadows’ staff transported over 2,000 food products to CORA and the Salvation Army. Salvation Army clients and those families referred to CORA, by area churches and social service agencies will benefit from the donations.

   Chip Pate, spokesperson for CORA said, "We appreciate the help from Carolina Meadows as the number of people we serve has risen dramatically this fall. In July, we distributed groceries equivalent to 2,000 meals and in November the demand had risen and we distributed groceries equivalent to 3,500 meals. Last year we served 337 families, which included 456 families and 529 adults. Groceries distributed were equivalent to 26,000 meals in 1999." (CORA gives sufficient groceries out to make a balanced meal)

   Helaine Plaut, Chair of the Carolina Meadows Community Outreach Volunteers Committee said, "Due to the cooperation between staff and residents, Carolina Meadows first food drive was such a great success. We can all be proud of our record of giving to this, and many other community projects."

   Contact:
   Rosemary Hutchinson
   Marketing Director
   (919) 370 - 7160