A Message from Melissa Driver Beard, CORA’s Executive Director

Two million times this year, someone in our community sat down to eat a plate of food that came from CORA.

This is a feat that we accomplished together—one we should all take pride in. Thousands of community members over the last 37 years have dedicated their time, talent, and resources to make CORA an organization with the capacity to serve at this level. This year is also the first year that CORA has operated two food pantries, and I am so proud and thankful for the way our community has rallied together to support that growth.

While we have much to celebrate, the number is also a sobering reminder of the need around us. It means our community was missing two million meals. That heartbreaking reality is a powerful reminder of why our mission matters.

It also means that CORA is integral to the life of our community, and that is a responsibility we don’t take lightly. About 1 in 9 Chatham County residents ate food from a CORA pantry this year. We have been entrusted to help feed thousands of our neighbors with dignity and respect, and we are grateful that you share this mission with us.

In our 2026 annual report, we want to share the stories of a few of those two million meals: the hardships and joys of our neighbors as well as the care and hard work of those who make CORA possible. Thank you for journeying with CORA on this two-million-meal year, and I look forward to working alongside you in the year to come as we continue to care for our neighbors together.