With deep appreciation, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle announces a generous donation from The Tepper Foundation and David and Nicole Tepper Foundation, as part of the Foundations’ previously announced $1.2 million grant to support Feeding the Carolinas. The grant to Feeding the Carolinas will provide hunger relief for individuals and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the current economic crisis, and ongoing struggles with food insecurity across North and South Carolina.
The Food Shuttle will direct the portion of funds received toward the Gardens For Everyone program and expansion at the Food Shuttle Farm. Both initiatives are fundamental to the organization’s mission to FEED, TEACH, GROW, and CULTIVATE, and provide both short- and long-term solutions to the problem of hunger in our community.
The Gardens For Everyone program was launched in 2020 to build raised garden beds at homes, community centers, preschools, transitional housing facilities, and other sites for low-income families and organizations, giving them the opportunity to grow their own fresh, nutritious food. To date, the initiative has installed and supported 121 beds in Wake and Durham counties. Support from The Tepper Foundation and David and Nicole Tepper Foundation will fuel the Food Shuttle’s ability to efficiently continue efforts and build another 100 garden boxes, with expansion into other rural service counties.
The 14-acre Food Shuttle Farm sits off Tryon Road in Raleigh. With a staff of four and a volunteer force of hundreds, the Farm operates year-round to distribute fresh produce to Food Shuttle programs. Last year, the Farm harvested over 53,000 pounds of produce that went out into the community through Mobile Markets, Grocery Bags for Seniors, School Pantries, and partner agencies. The funding from The Tepper Foundations will enable an upgrade to the Farm’s existing irrigation system, which will improve efficiencies for maintaining crop productivity and health as well as position the Farm for future expansion opportunities. This will allow the Farm to exhibit parallels found in the agriculture industry, creating opportunities to educate the community through internships and workshops. With the upgrades, the Farm will be able to continue to grow healthy, local, and culturally-specific items for neighbors in need, in an efficient and sustainable way.
“The Tepper Foundation and David and Nicole Tepper Foundation exemplify the type of partnership and collaboration we seek to develop,” said Jonathan Lee, the Food Shuttle’s Vice President of Agricultural Programs. “By providing support for our innovative initiatives to serve our neighbors, the Tepper Foundations will see their impact continue for years to come. Our Agricultural approaches to end hunger in our service areas are a unique opportunity for organizations and individuals alike to become involved in our mission and see direct impact of their efforts. We are grateful to have a partner in the Tepper Foundations and look forward to seeing the fruits of this relationship develop into life changing impact in our communities.”