Food is a human right
See our current long-term food security plan below.
1. Community Health Promoters
As part of a coalition of agencies, which received funding from the Duke-Durham Fund, EHD trained resident leaders to encourage COVID-19 prevention measures, promote health education, and connect people to resources. These Community Health Promoters received a stipend for their service through September. Many are continuing as volunteers. EHD staff is encouraging and supporting their efforts.
We need donations to support the efforts of our community health volunteers as we move into a difficult winter with COVID-19.
2. Access to Information and Resources
EHD has joined with local agencies to help older adults bridge the digital divide so they can order groceries, find resources, and communicate with family and friends.
For those who cannot use a smart phone, tablet, or computer, we will continue with updates on COVID-19 and information on food and other resources to our CHPs.
3.Improved Access to Grocery Stores
EHD is exploring ways to improve seniors’ access to grocery stores. This could include volunteer drivers, better information about existing public transit services, special bus service for seniors to grocery stores, or assistance with ordering groceries for delivery.
Senior Meal Delivery Program
As the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic set in, everyone understood that older adults are particularly vulnerable. In March, End Hunger Durham teamed up with the non-profit Love and Nourish, which donated hundreds of meals to help us launch. Over the next 3 months, we raised $250,000 from large and small donors allowing us to contract 4 local caterers, 3 of which are Black-owned. Click on the logos below to visit their websites.
Together we accomplished...
the delivery of over 54,000 meals to more than 1,000 Durham seniors between March and September. Our staff also facilitated deliveries of produce boxes from Farmer FoodShare, face coverings, hygiene supplies and hand sanitizers. We wrote a newsletter to accompany every meal to keep the seniors updated on the coronavirus and the crucial preventive measures they needed to take.
Beyond meals delivery
The meals program ended in September due to funding, but EHD staff has found ways to continue supporting the seniors. We will help leverage continued delivery of food from other agencies. Through a grant from the Duke-Durham Fund, and a coalition under the Partnership for Seniors, we trained 13 Community Health Promoters in 11 senior housing communities. They received a one-time gift for their time and service. This funding expired in September, but many of the CHPs are continuing as volunteers.
