OPERATIONS

Our belief:  It is CORA's belief that it is our obligation as citizens of this community to combat hunger, whatever its cause may be and to do so in a nondiscriminatory way.

CORA is a volunteer-based organization. Well over a hundred women and men, and in the summer some teenagers, contribute selflessly to our mission. This past year our volunteers contributed more than 3,700 hours to transport food, sort food contributions, stock our shelves, and directly serve our clients along with performing a host of other tasks.

It’s a big job. Through their dedicated efforts volunteers place upwards of 4,000 pounds of food each week into the hands of hungry families.  Because of the growing complexity and scope of our mission, in 2007 we added our first paid staff members. These two part-time employees serve as pantry manager and executive director. 

Collaborating organizations:  CORA closely collaborates with more than 20 Chatham County referral agencies whose mission it is to help individuals and families overcome various crisis and emergency situations and to identify and verify their need for temporary food assistance.  Some of these agencies include the County Department of Social Services, Hispanic Liaison, Chatham Family Resource Center, Family Violence and Rape Crisis Services, Chatham Council on Aging, Salvation Army, churches, and other organizations working for the betterment of those in need.

What we provide:  Families are served up to four (4) times within a twelve (12) month period to provide support while they are under the care of a social service agency. During each visit a family receives enough emergency groceries to provide three meals a day for seven days, based on a nutritionally balanced diet.

How we are supported:  CORA relies on the support of hundreds of private donors for its continuing operation. Many churches in Chatham County also contribute regularly. In addition, we receive funding from the United Way of Chatham County, the Chatham County government, grants from a number of foundations including Carolina Meadows Retirement Community, the Hillsdale Fund, Galloway Ridge Foundation, the Arthur Carlsen Fund and other funds of the Triangle Community Foundation.  Also supporting us are Kiwanis of Pittsboro and a number of family foundations and local businesses.  The annual Chatham Hunger Walk is CORA’s primary fundraising event.  The most recent Hunger Walk, held on November 2, 2008 in Pittsboro, brought in more than $40,000.  Much of our food also comes through food drives held by businesses, churches, schools and other organizations. 

Where we get our food:  Food drives account for about 25% of the food we distribute.  We are a partner agency of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, and buy food through the Durham Branch of the Food Bank.  We also purchase food at a discount from Lowes Foods of Chatham Crossing and M.R. Williams Food Wholesalers in Sanford, NC.  In addition, CORA acquires and distributes day-old produce and baked goods from Food Lion in Pittsboro and the Breadman of Pittsboro.  Many Lowes customers donate their Green Points to CORA to provide yet another way to purchase food for the needy.

TEFAP:  CORA receives a monthly shipment of government commodity food from The Emergency Federal Assistance Program (TEFAP).  TEFAP-qualified families must have an income level no greater than 130% of the Federal poverty level. CORA is one of four TEFAP distribution points in Chatham County.