Catawba County – The Charlie Bunn Food Pantry, a vital lifeline for thousands of families in Catawba County, is urging the community to take action following significant cuts to federal food assistance programs. Due to reductions in USDA funding—specifically to The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)—the food pantry has been notified that its supply of critical food items such as dairy, produce, and frozen goods will be significantly reduced.
“These cuts create a real and immediate gap in what we can provide to individuals and families facing hunger,” said Kristal Manning, Executive Director of Ashure Ministry. “Last year, with the help of our supporters, we distributed 3.2 million pounds of food to 9,130 individuals in need. But continuing that level of service will be much more difficult without additional support from the public.”
In response, the pantry is calling on the community to help in two key ways:
- Make a Donation – Financial contributions will help offset the food shortfall and allow the pantry to purchase much-needed items. Every dollar counts.
- Advocate for Change – Residents are encouraged to contact their elected officials and voice support for programs like TEFAP, which benefit not only food banks but also local farmers and food-insecure families.
“This is an opportunity for the community to step in and be the hands and feet of Christ,” said Manning. “We believe God will meet every need—and we invite everyone to be part of that provision.”
Constituents can find their representatives at www.congress.gov, and a sample advocacy letter is available upon request. For more information or to receive the sample letter, please email contact@ashureministry.org. To donate now, go to ashureministry.org/donate.
