Bull City FOODraiser Gears Up for the Holidays

DURHAM, NC – The Bull City FOODraiser, founded by Lakewood Elementary School Media Coordinator Turquoise Parker, will kick off on Thursday, December 8. That day and through December 10, volunteers with the project will begin delivering food and staples to deserving families.

The Foodraiser began when one of Parker’s parents asked about securing food for the holidays while the school would be closed.  She vowed at that moment that she would do her part to prevent food insecurity, and The Bull City FOODraiser was born.

Last year, a donor purchased $100,000 worth of food; GoGo squeeZ, the maker of squeezable yogurt, also gave pallets of the snack to the project.

“As some of you know, this is sustainable because of volunteers and donors– donors like my Mommy who is a retired school counselor who travels from Charleston, S.C. to take care of my one-year-old so that my husband and I can be all in to take care of every student at your/our schools,” said Parker.

Food insecurity is a major concern in Durham, especially for low-income people of color.

WTVD reported in 2021 that they had been tracking it with an Our America Equity Report by ABC-owned stations. Nearly three-quarters of Black and Latino residents don’t have access to nearby supermarkets within walking distance, 25% more than white residents.

The FOODraiser will serve 12 schools: Bethesda, Glenn, Eno Valley, Merrick-Moore, Eastway, R.N. Harris, W.G. Pearson, Burton, Y.E. Smith, C.C. Spaulding, Fayetteville Street, and Lakewood.