[Video] Inter-Faith Food Shuttle Partners With National Guard To Meet Community Need

Raleigh, NC – When the coronavirus began to affect central North Carolina, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle’s response was swift and targeted. With volunteer services suspended for the safety of both volunteers and staff, the organization remained hyper-focused on fulfilling its mission to provide innovative, transformative solutions to end hunger even during a global pandemic. As more and more people found themselves out of work and stay-at-home restrictions extended, the demand for food assistance skyrocketed. To meet the demand, the Food Shuttle increased its production and distribution to ensure that food is provided for anyone who needs it.

True to their motto, “Always Ready, Always There!”, in stepped the North Carolina National Guard. The National Guard is known for serving in times of emergency and crisis. Whether it be a natural disaster or a military operation, the soldiers of the National Guard stand ready to respond with speed, strength, and efficiency.

On Monday, April 27, members of the 1-130th ARB unit of the NC Army National Guard brought their readiness and commitment to Inter-Faith Food Shuttle to begin their assignment: assisting in the distribution efforts to families impacted by COVID-19.

The soldiers arrived without ceremony and went straight to work in the warehouse. There will be a rotation of 12 to 15 soldiers onsite at Food Shuttle locations each day filling vital roles in the Food Shuttle’s emergency response efforts. They will assist staff with sorting food items, packing and distributing emergency food boxes or Grocery Bags for Seniors, meal preparation, planting and/or harvesting at the Food Shuttle Farm, and other tasks as they arise. All efforts are designed to increase the capacity of the Food Shuttle to get food to those who need it most.

“Having the resource of the National Guard available enables us to increase our operations in every way. Having Guardsmen with varied skills is a plus for us because of our uniqueness. They have assisted in our kitchen and on our Farm. It’s been wonderful to work alongside them. We’re looking forward to being able to serve for more children, families, and seniors throughout our seven-county service area,” said Bethann James, Interim President/CEO of Inter-Faith Food Shuttle.

“The soldiers of the North Carolina National Guard supporting Inter-Faith Food Shuttle in Raleigh are part of a team of Airmen and Soldiers supporting food banks and community feeding programs across the state. The National Guard is always ready and willing to assist the people of North Carolina in a time of need. The members of the National Guard take great pride in their ability to be of assistance when it is needed most,” shared Major Kelby T. Glass of the North Carolina Army National Guard.

Inter-Faith Food Shuttle joins the list of Feeding America food banks that have been provided National Guard assistance. Their services are paid for by the state government for 30 days, after which the needs will be reassessed.

The NC National Guard produced a video about their experience in being called up to serve at Inter-Faith Food Shuttle.

 

About the NC National Guard

The National Guard is a unique and essential element of the U.S. military. Founded in 1636 as a citizen force organized to protect families and towns from hostile attacks, today’s National Guard Soldiers hold civilian jobs or attend college while maintaining their military training part-time, always ready to defend the American way of life in the event of an emergency. National Guard Soldiers serve both community and country. Our versatility enables us to respond to domestic emergencies, overseas combat missions, counterdrug efforts, reconstruction missions, and more. The Guard always responds with speed, strength, and efficiency, helping to defend American freedom and ideals.

About Inter-Faith Food Shuttle

Inter-Faith Food Shuttle pioneers innovative, transformative solutions designed to end hunger in our community. As a member of Feeding America and Feeding the Carolinas, the Food Shuttle distributes nearly six million pounds of food each year, 35% of which is fresh and locally-sourced produce. From Hunger Prevention Programming, Community Health Education and Food Recovery and Distribution, to Catering and Culinary Job Training, Urban Gardening, and a 14-acre farm, we go directly to the point of need to empower people. We feed, teach, and grow to create a healthy and hunger-free North Carolina. www.foodshuttle.org