Urgent need spurs food drive at CCM | Community Spirit

CONCORD - Pantries are low but demand continues to soar this summer as unemployment rates in Cabarrus and Rowan counties remain above 8 percent.

At Cooperative Christian Ministry’s main pantry, located at the CCM Crisis Center, 246 Country Club Drive, Concord, inventory is down approximately 35 percent from last year, while 9 percent more households are coming to the pantry in need of food. On July 9, the pantry set a record for 59 households served, accounting for 180 individuals. On July 23, the pantry had its second largest day, serving 51 households, accounting for 188 individuals.

The previous record was 50 households accounting for 178 individuals set on Dec. 15, 2011.

Barry Porter, Food Program Manager for CCM, said the demand has increased at CCMs 8 satellite pantries as well.

“When July numbers are calculated, I anticipate this to be our largest month ever,” says Porter. “We continue to have a lot of first time families come through our food pantries. Due to an increase in economic demands, those families are turning to CCM to help supplement their food needs.”

To help offset the low numbers of non-perishable food items available at the CCM pantries – including 8 satellite pantries and the Crisis Center pantry – CCM is hosting their first Summer Food Drive. Non-perishable food items, including canned and boxed goods, can be brought to any of the CCM pantries as well as drop-off locations at businesses throughout the community.

Kannapolis and Concord Cannon Pharmacy and On the Run Convenience Stores, owned by Propst Brothers Distributors, will be drop-off locations for food items during the month of August. Simply bring non-perishable food items to the business to help refill the pantries at CCM. Glass jars are not recommended, due to the possibility of breakage during transport. (see attached list for a complete list of locations)

“Even though our food donations have increased from the community, the demand for food is out-pacing the donations, especially during the summer, when more children are eating at home,” says Porter.

In addition to the food drive, at all On the Run Convenience Store locations, visitors can purchase a Propst Bros. 75th Anniversary t-shirt for $5 as long as shirts are available. Proceeds will go to the ministries of CCM.

ABOUT COOPERATIVE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY: The mission of Cooperative Christian Ministry is to provide immediate assistance to members of our community who are experiencing crisis in the areas of food, shelter or finances, while providing them access to resources that will empower them to move beyond crisis.  Cooperative Christian Ministry serves Cabarrus and southern Rowan counties.

Drop-off locations for the CCM Summer Food Drive are:

·     On the Run, 1160 Copperfield Blvd., Concord

·     On the Run, 540 Lake Concord Road, Concord

·     On the Run, 1110 Union St. S., Concord

·     On the Run, 1595 Hwy. 73 E., Concord

·     On the Run, 211 Davidson Hwy., Concord

·     On the Run, 1110 Dale Earnhardt Blvd., Kannapolis

·     On the Run, 3700 Concord Pkwy. S., Harrisburg

·     Cannon Pharmacy, Kannapolis Main, 1706 S. Cannon Blvd., Kannapolis

·     Cannon Pharmacy, Kannapolis North, 1402 N. Cannon Blvd., Kannapolis

·     Cannon Pharmacy, Concord, 760 Cabarrus Ave. W., Concord

CCM Food Pantries also accept food donations. Locations and hours are:

·     CCM Crisis Center, 246 Country Club Dr., Concord. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays.

·     Bethel Baptist Helping Hands Food Pantry at Bethel Baptist Church, 1209¼ Opal St., Kannapolis. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays.

·     Cupboard of Love Food Pantry at Westford UMC, 273 Hwy. 49 S., Concord. 8:30-11:30 a.m. Saturdays.

·     Kannapolis Food Pantry at West Point Baptist Church, 1100 Pine St., Kannapolis. 8:30-11:30 a.m. Saturdays.

·     Christian Hearts Food Ministry at Oak Ridge Baptist Church, 5340 Flowes Store Road, Concord. 8:30-11:30 a.m. Saturdays.

·     TB2G Food Pantry at Pine Bluff UMC, 11000 Reed Mine Road, Midland. Call 704-888-3090 for appointment.

·     Charity Baptist Church, 2420 Brantley Road, Kannapolis. Call 704-938-7668 for appointment.