As we gather around our family or community tables this Thanksgiving and Christmas, many of us will feel the blessings of having enough to eat, and enough to share. That is not true for everyone, and this is why organizations such as SAFE Food Ministry is so important. SAFE stands for Southern Alamance Food Empowerment, and it serves as a source of hope and nourishment for southern Alamance County, especially in the rural areas, providing local access to food and life all year round. But it’s during these fall and winter months where SAFE is more essential than ever in helping to keep food on the tables of so many families in our community.

The year 2019 is drawing to a close, which means that SAFE is currently running its largest food drive of the year, as well as its End of the Year Financial Drive. Running an organization like SAFE isn’t free, and it relies heavily on donations from the community for its yearly operating budget. Many of you already donate throughout the year to SAFE, whether it’s through volunteering your time, donating food itself or financially. All of these are incredibly helpful, and SAFE is asking for just a single time donation of $10 for 2020.

Please consider donating any amount so that they can continue their mission of feeding our loved ones, friends, neighbors, elderly, and the children in times of need. In 2019, SAFE ran their Pilot Summer Meal Program that fed an average of 65-88 elementary children breakfast, lunch, and a snack 7 days a week for the 10 weeks of summer. This could not have been done without your help and 2020 is already in the planning stages. Currently, January – September 2019 distribution numbers have increased by almost 200 compared to 2018.

So dear friends, will you accept the challenge to donate at least $10.00 by the end of the year? If so, please donate online or pick up a pledge card from SAFE and mail the Pledge Card to P.O. Box 286 Saxapahaw, NC 27340.

The Saxapahaw General Store usually has a SAFE food donation box in the store for donations of food from the General Store or anywhere. If you don’t see it, please ask a General Store employee, and we’ll make sure your packaged food donation gets to the right place. For most of us, being able to donate at least $10, or being able to donate food or a little bit of our time adds up to be able to provide food security to our neighbors in need. And that’s what Saxapahaw is all about.