By Food Distribution Assistance Program Manager, Meredith Bell
The 2021 state budget appropriated $10 million to the Golden LEAF Foundation for the Food Distribution Assistance Program. This program is funded by federal State Fiscal Recovery Funds through the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. To date, Golden LEAF has awarded $8.9 million to support 67 projects from 48 counties. Although the application period is closed, Golden LEAF is working to distribute all funds available in the program.
Through this program funding may be used for the following:
- Grants to nonprofit organizations to assist those organizations in (i) becoming eligible to be partner agencies of a North Carolina food bank or (ii) enhancing or expanding the capacity of current partner agencies of North Carolina food banks.
- Grants to nonprofit organizations to assist those organizations in (i) establishing a school-based weekend food assistance program or (ii) enhancing or expanding the capacity of current school-based weekend food assistance programs.
- Food Distribution Assistance Program funds are used to address a clearly defined gap in existing food assistance networks.
The Open Door Food Pantry of Perquimans County first opened its doors in January 1980. They are now in their 44th year of service to the residents of Perquimans County. Open Door Food Pantry of Perquimans County was awarded $97,775 by the Golden LEAF Board of Directors through the Food Distribution Assistance Program at the August 2023 meeting. The funding helped Open Door Food Pantry acquire freezer units with glass doors, refrigerator units with glass doors, a produce display case, pantry shelving, bread display shelving, lighting, condensing units for coolers and freezers, a low profile floor scale, two scale ramps, three utility carts and also the installation of data equipment needed to enhance and expand food distribution efforts.
Learn more about what the Open Door Food Pantry is accomplishing with Food Distribution Assistance Program funding in the Q&A with Dina Hurdle, Chair of the Open Door Board of Directors below:
What services do you provide to the community and who do you serve?
We assist individuals in Perquimans County who are facing difficulties and are food insecure. Our provisions include non-perishable food items, fresh produce, personal care products, and monthly recipe meal kits. Additionally, we sometimes receive donations of various items like towels, socks, and newborn essentials, which include diapers and other necessities for infants.
Prior to opening your new facility, where and how were you distributing food?
Before relocating to our new site in January 2024, our previous location was just a few miles away. Due to space constraints, we served our neighbors directly in their vehicles. The food provided was packaged by our volunteers, based on household size.
How has the new facility changed how you operate? Has it enabled you to do things you could not do in the previous location?
Previously, we operated from a smaller facility of 1500 square feet, but we have now moved into a newly renovated 3200 square foot space. This expansion was made possible when our board recognized the need for more room to enhance our community services. In 2022, we acquired an old restaurant and, with support from the community, grants, and local and state partners, we transformed it into our first owned property after years of renting.
This new space has enabled us to evolve into a choice pantry, utilizing a color-coded SWAP system (Supporting Wellness at Pantries) that mimics the layout of a grocery store. This allows the families we serve to select food that they will consume, reducing waste and costs. Volunteers assist them in choosing healthier options, as all items are categorized by their nutritional value, focusing on added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium content. This service is free for the families and offers them the dignity of choice, while also enabling us to focus our food purchasing decisions based on their preferences.
We prioritize healthier food options, emphasizing proteins, fresh vegetables, and fruits. We provide “Bagley’s Recipes”—healthy food bags containing a nutritious recipe and the ingredients for a side, main, snack, or dessert. The main ingredient is always available in our pantry. These recipes are prepared and sampled during our opening hours once a month.
Moreover, our facility now hosts community health partners, the local extension office, and others to conduct classes, wellness checks, and sessions that benefit our community. We are also planning to offer nutritional cooking classes to enhance our neighbors’ well-being. This summer, these classes, using our mobile teaching kitchen, will be held off site and will focus on teaching elementary aged children.
How many new people or households have you been able to serve since opening the new building?
Comparing the first quarter of 2023 at our previous location with the first quarter of 2024 at our new location, we have observed a 114% increase in the number of households served and a 63% increase in the number of individuals served. Since opening the new site in 2024 and serving neighbors January through August, the pantry has provided assistance to 1,648 households and 3,949 individuals.
How can people contact you if they need food assistance or to volunteer or get involved?
We currently have over 90 volunteers, yet we are always delighted to welcome more as we operate entirely on volunteer efforts. This number does not include our Board of Directors members. Our website, www.perquimansopendoor.com, provides links to both our volunteer and neighbor applications.
Our operational hours are Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 am to 12 pm, and Thursdays from 4 pm to 6 pm. The Open Door of Perquimans County, Inc., which also operates as “The Open Door Food Pantry of Perquimans County,” is located at 293 Creek Drive, Hertford, NC 27944. Our office phone number is 252-421-3700.