Inter-Faith Food Shuttle is recognized for its innovative programs to end hunger in central North Carolina. Last year, the Food Shuttle distributed nearly 6 million pounds of food to those in need, 36% of which was fresh produce. But when the holidays roll around, the organization puts on another hat—one that’s red with white trim and jingle bells on the end. That’s when Inter-Faith Food Shuttle joins Pepsi Bottling Venture to provide gifts and holiday cheer for 100 families and seniors served by Food Shuttle programs.
Pepsi Bottling Ventures is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The staff marked the occasion at their annual holiday party held at the corporate headquarters in early December. The party was a festive affair and included a catered lunch for the staff, a series of games and prizes, a visit from Santa and a costumed Christmas tree, and prizes awarded for ugliest, most festive and most original Christmas sweaters. Pepsi Bottling Venture President and CEO, Paul Finney, introduced Inter-Faith Food Shuttle’s Childhood Hunger Program Director, Tradell Adkins, and Poe GT/AIG Basics Magnet Elementary School Principal Dr. Annice Williams. Dr. Williams spoke about the population of students at her school that come from low-income households and face the holidays without all the gifts and extras that most families take for granted.
Then the real fun began. Pepsi HR Manager Cindy Brammer met staff members at the Brier Creek Walmart store and gave each person a $75 gift card and a wish list. The wish lists had been completed in advance by families from Poe Elementary and residents of Murphey School Senior Living Community — both organizations that are served by Inter-Faith Food Shuttle programs. Poe Elementary School participates in the BackPack Buddies program and operates a School Pantry and Murphey School receives Grocery Bags for Seniors for residents each month. Staff members then proceeded to shop the store to purchase the items on their lists. Most bought far more than their $75 gift card would purchase. Once the items were paid for, they were bagged up and loaded onto the Food Shuttle truck and taken to the warehouse for sorting.
Once the gifts were sorted and numbered, they were ready for delivery. Fifty bags were delivered to Poe Elementary where parents and family members arranged to pick them up from the counselors who chose the families based on need. The families who receive the gifts remain anonymous to everyone outside of the school counseling office. Fifty bags were also delivered to Murphey School, where each resident receives a bag of gifts and goodies, amid lots of hugs and caroling and “Ho-ho-ho-ing”. Needless to say, holiday cheer abounds.
The Food Shuttle would like to give a special shout out to our very own Elizabeth Rodgers, our Community Outreach Manager, who worked tirelessly behind-the-scenes to coordinate this effort of goodwill and to ensure that everyone received the gifts they requested and that everyone’s privacy was respected at all stages of the process.
Happy Holidays to all!
