Gleaner's Market Friday 10/30

Pass the word.

Announcing our next Gleaner's Market this Friday October 30 from 11 am - 12:30 pm.  This outdoor "market" is an experiment for Common Heart. At least four times a year we have an abundance of food that we need to give out and we can not do it through out normal channels.  So, we decided to try our own version of a farmer's market. 

We will have fresh vegetables, fruit, and baked goods such as bread, cakes and cookies. There is no cost.  All participants will need to fill out an application and will need to either receive food stamps (SNAP) or make less than 200% of the federal poverty level.  Here is a link to the 200% FPL standard. We also ask that your family currently have a need for groceries so that everyone who has a need can get what they need. 
All households wishing to participate should begin arriving at 10:30 am (please, no earlier). The location is our community resource center, The Commonplace. 116 Business Park Dr, Suite A, Indian Trail, NC 28079.   If you have questions or would like more information you can contact us at CommonHeart@TheCommonplace.org or 704-218-9060.

Fall is for food drives!

As we approach Thanksgiving and remember everything we have to be thankful for, it's the perfect time to host a food drive for Common Cupboard! 

We're especially excited to see all the local students who are getting involved in feeding hungry local families. Without even realizing it, some of these students may be collecting food that will fill the bellies of their classmates when supplies run low at home. 

This week at Sun Valley Elementary School, several young ladies who call themselves "The Care Bears," kicked off a school-wide food drive for the Cupboard. And judging by the photo at the end of Day 2, we think they're doing an AWESOME JOB!     

Sun Valley Elementary School Food Drive for the Common
Cupboard. Day 2

These young ladies were part of our Booster Team for last week's Love in Action Fundraising Banquet, raising more than $1,000. WOW! That's enough for us to provide a week's worth of groceries to 40 hungry families! 

From Nov. 9 to 20, Central Academy at Lake Park's Beta Club will host a food drive for us (again!)  as we get ready to bless 1,000 local families with everything they need to make their own Thanksgiving feasts. You can drop off nonperishable food donations at the school, 3624 Lake Park Road, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. We especially need canned corn and green beans, stuffing and mashed potato mixes, gravy and cranberry sauce.   

Ready to organize a food drive in your neighborhood, workplace, church etc.? 
We can even help you promote it by registering your drive with us!  Visit:
http://thecommonplace.org/#/volunteer-donate/food-drives

Got a question about the Cupboard?

Common Cupboard FAQ

How did Common Cupboard start?

The idea for Common Cupboard came about in 2006 when the four friends began crossing paths with people who needed a little extra help. For whatever reason – family crisis, unemployment or illness – they had difficulty meeting basic needs. These were people just like you and me. We began by grabbing an extra bag of groceries at the store or going to our own pantries and giving what we could to help. It dawned on us that if we pooled our financial and food resources along with donations from the community, we could help more people and equip others to reach out. From there a “small revolution of kindness” has grown into Common Heart.

What started as four friends wanting to help neighbors in need, has become a community of hundreds reaching out and serving.                          

Why do we encourage churches and individuals 

to partner with us?

Our mission is to bridge gaps and transform lives, and we do this by building relationships between individuals – those serving and being served – and by connecting people with their community. We believe that people helping people has more positive potential than an organization or agency giving handouts. Because of this philosophy, we want to keep Common Cupboard in the background and, if possible, unseen by those receiving assistance.

We hope that what they see is a caring person, a neighbor or a church serving with kindness and love. We believe we are called not just to help a hungry family, but encourage relationships.

Why do we encourage delivery of food to homes?

While distribution from a central location is convenient, we feel that it can set up an institutional mentality that we want to avoid.

By visiting people, developing relationships and seeing needs first-hand, we make a larger impact in the lives of those we serve. We know their names, listen to their stories and learn what they need so we can connect them with other vital services. It may take time and energy, but it is well worth it.                     

Where does the food come from?

We are a grassroots organization of friends and neighbors, so those who volunteer are involved in giving. We also rely on the community – churches, businesses and other organizations – to help. From organizing food drives and donating items to giving financially, it takes support from the entire community to do what we do.

In addition, we are an agency of Second Harvest Metrolina. This partnership allows us to access food from their food bank at a very low rate and acquire the needed items we give away freely to families in need.

How can I help?

Hundreds of volunteer hours are required each month to sort, pack and deliver groceries. Money is necessary to acquire food and keep the refrigerators and freezers cool.

Churches can match their members and small groups with one, two or 10 hungry families to serve. Individuals can shop for groceries, pick up donations and organize fundraisers or food drives. Businesses can sponsor our mission and give tax-deductible donations.

To get involved, email Executive Director Keith Adams at keith@thecommonplace.org or call 704-218-9060.

Volunteers needed!

Did you know that if we were fully staffed with regular volunteers (serving at least 3 hours each month) it would take 300 volunteers? Right now this work is being done by 225 regular volunteers. So we still have room for you to serve!

We do a lot of different things so we need all kinds of volunteers.                          

For example:

• Program area volunteers: Common Cupboard: Delivery, Grocery Rescue, Pantry worker;  Monday Night Pantry; Common Things Thrift Store: Clerk, donation processing; The Commonplace: Tax preparers, customer service, etc.
• Administrative area volunteers: Receptionist, office assistant, project managers, special event planners.
• Specialized talents: Finance, web design, network administrator, videographer, board members, etc
• Special Events Volunteers: Volunteers to assist with the planning and execution of our banquet, fundraisers, special distributions. Volunteers to staff food drives.
• Groups and community service volunteers: Youth groups, Boy/Girl Scouts, church groups, employee service days etc. We also have volunteer opportunities for people and students with disabilities and those needing to complete court-ordered community service hours.

Ready to get involved? Fill out a volunteer application here.