The Economy Hasn't Recovered for Our Neighbors in Need

​Media Contact:                                                                                   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jessika Tucker
Executive Director
Angels & Sparrows Soup Kitchen
jessika@angelsandsparrows.org
(704) 650-7232
 
Cindy Deutsch
Director of Development
Angels & Sparrows Soup Kitchen
cindy@angelsandsparrows.org
(847) 340-5102

ANGELS & SPARROWS ANNOUNCES ANNUAL IMPACT
The Economy Hasn’t Recovered for Our Neighbors in Need​

Huntersville, NC, January 5, 2021 - The Economy hasn’t recovered for our neighbors in need.  In 2020, Angels & Sparrows Soup Kitchen provided a record-breaking 213,627 meals from their kitchen and pantry in Huntersville, NC.  This is a 73% increase over meals provided in 2019 as the number of families and scale of their need increased dramatically. 
 
“The families we serve have been hit the hardest by this pandemic and recovery for those already in poverty is a lot slower than for those in the middle-to-upper income levels” said Jessika Tucker, Executive Director of Angels & Sparrows.  “The crisis has clarified exactly how exposed a large portion of our community can actually be while others are affected in entirely different ways.”
 
Angels & Sparrows met the increased need by providing daily meals and fresh groceries via a drive-through service.  In addition, they provided home delivery of meals and groceries to seniors and families who had lost access to transportation due to the pandemic.  They also provided grocery boxes of non-perishable food items to families in need, Holiday Meal boxes to ensure families were able to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas, and provided other emergency assistance on a case-by-case basis. 
 
“Many families are trying to live off of part-time jobs or are still without a job due to the COVID-19 crisis.  Families are having to make the decision between which essentials are most critical such as rent, versus utility bills or food, and many were finding themselves on the brink of homelessness without options.” 
 
The organization’s ability to scale the number of meals needed on a daily basis and provide additional services with little notice belies the size of their small 2,000 square foot building.  "It is the reflection of a community that cares as evidenced by the outpouring of support received from donors and volunteers who provided extraordinary assistance with the increased effort to nourish the growing need in the North Mecklenburg community", said Tucker. 
 
“While many nonprofit organizations shut down, Angels & Sparrows not only stayed open, we rallied and continually met the growing need among our neighbors.  We could not have done this without the incredible response we received from the community.  We exist because of the generosity of our donors and volunteers.  We were able to make an unimaginable impact because of them,” said Tucker.  To learn more about Angels & Sparrows Soup Kitchen, visit www.Angelsandsparrows.org
 
About Angels & Sparrows
Angels & Sparrows provides a community table for guests to enjoy a free, nutritious meal five days a week without requiring proof of need.  Since 2007, meals have been served café style allowing guests and volunteers to mingle and enjoy life together through stories, laughs, sometimes tears, and often a hug.  The kitchen is fully supported through gifts from area residents, businesses, and grocery partners.  Though the COVID-19 pandemic has altered the method by which meals are provided, the spirit of community and cohesiveness despite race or creed persists and has allowed the organization to meet the incredible spike in need.  Angels & Sparrows provided 213,627 meals in 2020, a 73% increase from 2019.  For more information, visit www.angelsandsparrows.org.