30,000 — The number of people fed with the help of PORCH Communities. The grassroots organization works to fight food insecurity by having neighbors help neighbors. Founded by Christine Cotton in Chapel Hill, NC in 2010, the organization has expanded across 10 states, including Charlotte.

How did PORCH get started? By a friend helping a friend with a sandwich.

"[Matt] My son was in elementary school and asked if he could bring some extra sandwiches because he wanted to bulk up and get stronger," said Cotton. "Week after week, I'm sending my kid with extra sandwiches and week after week, the same little guy keeps coming back."

Seeing no changes in Matt's physique, Cotton inquired the real reason behind the extra food. Her son explained it was to help feed his best friend and his family.

"I had no idea that hunger was so prevalent," recounted Cotton.

10+ years later, PORCH Communities brings residents together, collecting donated food from porches, and delivers them to local pantries and organizations.
How does it work? The organization works with volunteers to host monthly neighborhood food drives to gather non-perishable items + money to be donated to local food pantries such as St. Paul’s Baptist Church, Wedgewood Church, and Nourish Up.

Where are collections so far? PORCH Charlotte has three locations: Belmont, Madison Park, and Starmount but there is a hunger for more.

"We're barely touching the surface in Charlotte. I don't want to say it's a hungry city but there's a lot of people that don't have access to food," said Cotton.

We checked — 15% of all households in Charlotte are food insecure.

"If we could rally our communities to support the pantries, we're making a big difference," added Cotton.

Interested? Sign up to donate food or become a neighborhood coordinator.