THE DISH - February 2021 | Issue X

Why Food Security is Our Mission

In This Issue

We’ve all experienced “hunger” at one time or another. You know, that rumble in your belly that occurs when too much time has passed between meals. FOOD INSECURITY is different. It’s the uncertainty of the availability of food needed on a consistent basis due to a lack of sufficient income or resources. 

It’s inherently tied to income and it’s caused by factors including unemployment, underemployment, a medical crisis, rising cost of living, stagnant wages, lack of access to transportation, and single parent households among other things. It can be triggered by something as simple as a car repair and it could be your neighbor next door, the person assisting you at the drive-through window, or the customer service representative on the other end of the phone line.

Food insecurity has cascading effects such as malnourishment, which can lead to mental and stunted physical development in children, aggression, behavioral problems, anxiety, and depression. It can cause a weakened immune system which can lead to illness that prevents breadwinners from working, increases in healthcare costs as well as the chance of hospitalization. Food insecurity can lead to more food insecurity or worse. 

Our “Why” is simple. A well-nourished person is one who can seek fulfilling employment and educational opportunities that allow their potential and talents to be fully realized – leading to a stronger and more vibrant community. 

The volunteers and staff of Angels & Sparrows each have their “why” for joining our mission. Reasons range from personal experience to wanting to share their blessings with others. 

You have also joined us in the fight to end food insecurity. We'd love to know your "why." Email us and let us know!​

• Feeding our Healthcare Heroes
• Cereal Drive
• January Impact
• Amazon Smile

NOURISHING OUR HEALTHCARE HEROES

​As predicted, January brought a huge number of patients experiencing complications from COVID-19 to Novant Huntersville. The increase, according to a hospital spokeswoman, was the result of people not heeding warnings to avoid celebrating the holidays with people who live outside their household. Doctors, nurses, and staff at the hospital in Huntersville were so inundated, they had no time to take a break!

Our contact (and Angels & Sparrows volunteer) Jen Huskey, from Novant Huntersville's Community Engagement team, reached out to see if we could help feed their staff as they provided critical care to patients during the COVID-19 spike. Of course, we said yes! Angels & Sparrows proudly provided more than 1,000 bag lunches to feed the healthcare heroes at Novant Huntersville!

You can help the team at Novant Huntersville by wearing a mask around those who don't live in your home, washing your hands frequently, and maintaining a distance from others of 6 feet or more when you're outside of your home!

TAKE HUNGER OFF THE BREAKFAST TABLE

National Cereal Day is March 5!

​Each week, we provide boxes of non-perishable groceries to families in need of additional assistance. Unfortunately, we have not always been able to provide a box of cereal to families with children.

Because the number of families we are serving has increased dramatically, we are now distributing close to fifty boxes of cereal each week! Boxed cereal is one of the most costly items on our Immediate Needs List. As such, it is not an item we can afford to replace when our supply runs out!

In fact, last month, we did run out! We contacted Jason Colvin, from Jason Colvin State Farm, to see if he could help replenish our supply. And, he's helping in a BIG way! Jason is holding a cereal drive from now until National Cereal Day on March 5!

To date, 831 boxes have been collected toward our goal of 1,000 boxes! You can help by picking up a box of cereal the next time you visit the grocery store. Boxes can be delivered to Jason's office, located at 9525 Birkdale Crossing, Huntersville, Suite 204, or delivered to Angels & Sparrows weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Thank you for helping us take hunger off the breakfast table!

Jason Colvin and his son Carson are collecting boxes of cereal!

THANK YOU!

By the Numbers

​Historically, January is a pretty slow month for us. The cold, damp weather usually keeps our guests, who typically walk, bike, or take public transportation from venturing out. Despite the weather, we continue to see an unprecedented need. In January, we provided 21,005 meals through our kitchen and pantry - a 45% increase from last January!

We can't fulfill our mission without the generosity of our donors and the dedication of our volunteers! Thank you!

AmazonSmile

Take Hunger Off the Table While You Shop!

Use AmazonSmile and take hunger off the table for a struggling family at the same time! AmazonSmile has the exact same items as Amazon. The only difference is 0.5% of your sale will be donated to us!

Begin shopping by using our unique linkand we'll automatically be designated as your AmazonSmile charity! Click here to view our Amazon Immediate Needs List.