By: Jordan Meadows
Staff Writer
Since its inception in 2010, PORCH Communities has been at the forefront of local hunger relief, providing more than $6.5 million in aid to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area.
The grassroots organization, founded and directed by Christine Cotton, believes every community member should have enough fresh food to live an active, healthy life. With a mission to combat hunger by mobilizing neighbors, building community, and providing fresh, nutritious food, PORCH Communities has established itself as a vital resource in the fight against food insecurity.
PORCH’s work spans several key programs designed to meet the diverse needs of those struggling with food access. One of the primary initiatives, Food For Pantries, involves collecting food and cash donations from local neighborhoods each month. In 2023 alone, PORCH successfully collaborated with 13 local pantries to collect and distribute 1,520 bags of essential non-perishable items.
The Food For Families program supplements the food distributed by pantries with a monthly delivery of fresh produce, dairy, and other staples to approximately 630 families with children in Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools. This program serves a diverse group of families, including significant Latino and refugee populations, addressing a critical need in a state where more than 550,000 households face food insecurity.
In addition to supporting families directly, PORCH Communities also focuses on Food For Schools, providing over $23,000 worth of healthy snacks to children across local schools and after-school programs.
Food for Thought, another key aspect of PORCH’s approach, is dedicated to raising awareness about food insecurity and engaging the community in grassroots and systemic solutions. The program highlights the intersectionality of food insecurity with poverty and aims to foster broader community involvement in addressing these issues.
With a network of 1,500 volunteers spread across 550 neighborhoods in 10 states, PORCH operates on a model that leverages local knowledge and community engagement. Volunteers collect food from porches and deliver it to pantries, schools, and community organizations, ensuring that aid is directed where needed.
Cotton began her journey into hunger relief after discovering her son was sharing his lunch with a friend who lacked food. She initiated a simple but effective solution — organizing neighborhood donations of canned tuna — which has since evolved into a widespread community support network.
“Our whole process really aided in that problem. So, it was growing in Chapel Hill, and it continued to grow into Durham, Hillsborough, and so now here we are 15 years later, and we have over 50 chapters across 10 states,” Cotton said.
Despite the growth of PORCH, Cotton acknowledges that more work remains, particularly in expanding efforts into larger metro areas in the state like Raleigh.
The organization provides resources to help new communities get started, including social media pages and fliers to facilitate engagement. PORCH encourages individuals interested in starting a local chapter to take the initiative, stressing that even a small effort can lead to a significant impact.
“We just need those folks who want to step up and say ‘hey, that’s easy enough — I can do it in my neighborhood. How do I get 10 neighbors to help donate?’” Cotton said.
“It’s definitely an issue when you go further out to more rural areas. There are communities that can support adjacent to the communities more in need, so we tend to go to the communities who can support and say ‘These are your neighbors’. We don’t live in gated places in North Carolina,” Cotton said. “Let’s find out who are your closest neighbors who have the ability to give, and we’re going to ask them if they can support the neighbors over here who aren’t able to give at this moment.’”
She notes that people’s circumstances can change over time, which is why PORCH Communities is committed to continually expanding its outreach. A thriving community today may face hardships tomorrow, and thus broadening its message is crucial.
“We have so many neighbors here who were at one point recipients who have now become donors — and they do it with one can of tuna.”
Additionally, the Student Ambassador Program encourages young people to get involved with PORCH, helping them understand community needs and gain valuable experience that benefits them in their future endeavors. Cotton stresses the importance of involving youth in community service to build meaningful connections and skills.
PORCH’s approach to addressing food insecurity is comprehensive and adaptable, addressing immediate needs while nudging long-term community engagement and support in the right direction. Through its various programs and network of volunteers, PORCH Communities continues to make a profound difference in the lives of many, proving that local efforts can lead to significant change.
