LAURINBURG, N.C. — Always looking to meet needs around here, Garland Pierce, who represents Scotland and Hoke counties in the North Carolina General Assembly, exchanged dress shoes for sneakers earlier this month at Partners In Ministry, a nonprofit organization addressing poverty and providing mentorship to youth.
“Food insecurity in this part of the state of North Carolina that we live in is very challenging for people,” Pierce said. “Some people almost have to work almost a week just to put gas in their car.”
Necktie off, shoes tied tight, Pierce loaded boxes of food into vehicles pulling up to the site over on Third Street.
The eggs went over easily.
“Everybody wants eggs for those families in the morning time for a good, hearty breakfast,” said Pierce, who pastors a church in town.
About 14% of North Carolinians experience food insecurity. In Scotland County, that number is higher, and the gap between what families need and what federal assistance covers is significant.
Partners In Ministry executive director Melba McCallum, Ed.D., has been working to close that gap for two decades.
“We’ve been here now going on 20 years, partnering with our community, partnering with churches to make a better space for our young folks,” McCallum said.
The ministry supports about 200 children through an after-school program staffed by certified teachers. It’s where they get in some extra reading time. And they’re developing political chops, informing Pierce that he represents them in District 48.
North Carolina Black Alliance collaborated with Partners In Ministry to make sure 200 families would have something to eat days after the Oct. 12 food distribution. Pierce, state Sen. Lisa Grafstein, and state Rep. Dante Pittman joined Closer to the People: Feed the Need, an initiative that provided food and daily-living resources at no cost to families who need them. Grafstein represents Wake County, and Pittman represents Nash and Wilson counties.
