WINSTON SALEM, NC – More that 300 families will receive boxed meals for Easter when the United Way of Forsyth County (UWFC) supported New Communion Mobile Market and Pantry (New Communion) has a food distribution and Easter egg hunt, 3 p.m. on April 15 at Grace Presbyterian Church, located 3901 Carver School Road, in Winston-Salem.
The food distribution will feature “family feast” sized box meals with enough food to feed 10 to 12 people. The Easter egg hunt will feature give away prizes and be open to more than 100 children ages 2-13. The events are free and open to the public with a focus on residents of the 13 identified UWFC Place Matters neighborhoods. Those neighborhoods include Northwoods Estate, Monticello Park, Ebony Hills, Prospect Park, Wildwood Park, Cardinal Acres, Castle Heights, Spaulding Drive, Eastgate Village, Lakeside, Dreamland, Bowen Park and Ladeara Crest.
“We are excited to have fantastic meals for entire families to take and enjoy from their own homes,” said Monica L. Banks, New Communion co-executive director. “And for the Easter egg hunt, we will have great prizes.”
The box meals will feature ham or chicken, baked beans, glory greens, green beans, heat and serve rolls and pie or cobbler. The Easter egg hunt will have 400 Easter eggs, candy and vouchers for prizes ranging from bicycles and scooters to dolls and more.
New Communion, a UWFC partner agency, is a faith-based organization with the goal of enhancing community relationships and diminishing the impacts of hunger and food insecurity. As a part of UWFC’s Place Matters program, New Communion, provides access to fresh food, promotes eating healthy food and access to pantry items in Forsyth County.
Place Matters is a resident-led initiative focused on empowering local residents to direct funding and activities on what they feel is best for improving their communities. UWFC launched Place Matters, in part, to strengthen neighborhoods and reduce poverty in targeted communities in Forsyth County. Today more than 65,000 residents, and 1 out of every 3 children, in Forsyth County are living in poverty.
Recognizing that these communities face many interconnected challenges, Place Matters is bringing together local organizations to address the issues. UWFC is partnering with Neighbors for Better Neighborhoods, a grassroots community-organizing firm, to engage residents themselves in developing their vision for the community. A resident committee is reviewing programs and approving applications for Place Matters funding.