Media Contact: Beth Hauptle, [email protected]
Program Contact: Michelle Osborne, [email protected]
[Pittsboro, NC, May 4, 2021] – Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA’s (RAFI-USA) Come to the Table program (CTTT) has awarded technical assistance grants to support more than 30 rural United Methodist churches throughout North Carolina. Churches that are engaging in emergency hunger relief efforts during the COVID-19 crisis have been awarded mini-grants of up to $1,000. These grants are funded by support from The Duke Endowment.
During 2020, Come to the Table offered mini-grants to nearly 70 churches throughout North Carolina who were responding to the increased hunger in their communities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This current round of mini-grants provides funding to churches that are purchasing food from local growers or local restaurants to distribute in their community. Because of RAFI-USA’s long standing relationships with farmers, farmers markets, and faith communities throughout North Carolina, Come to the Table is uniquely situated to connect these groups in mutually beneficial relationships.In several situations, CTTT has been able to connect churches with members of RAFI-USA’s Farmers of Color Network to purchase from. In this way, the mini-grants support local economies while also making an impact on food insecurity.
Churches from across North Carolina, from Murphy to Manteo, have been awarded funds. To learn more about RAFI-USA’s Come to the Table program, visit RAFI-USA’s website and sign up for the e-newsletter list.
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About the Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI-USA) and
Come to the Table
RAFI-USA challenges the root causes of unjust food systems, supporting and advocating for economically, racially, and ecologically just farm communities. We envision a thriving, sustainable, and equitable food system: where farmers and farmworkers have dignity and agency; where they are supported by just agricultural policies; where corporations and institutions are accountable to their community. RAFI-USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Pittsboro, North Carolina, and incorporated in 1990.
Come to the Table is a program of RAFI-USA whose goal is to end hunger by developing connections and building power to create a just food system where food is a human right and those who work in the system have ownership and are treated with dignity. We believe that faith communities have a key role to play in this work.
About The Duke Endowment
Based in Charlotte and established in 1924 by industrialist and philanthropist James B. Duke, The Duke Endowment is a private foundation that strengthens communities in North Carolina and South Carolina by nurturing children, promoting health, educating minds and enriching spirits. Since its founding, it has distributed more than $3.6 billion in grants. The Endowment shares a name with Duke University and Duke Energy, but all are separate organizations.