Community partners and organizations across Alamance County have aligned efforts to increase access to healthy, affordable food for young children, students and families impacted by closures related to the COVID-19 epidemic. Together, our community has leveraged existing resources to establish more than 240 food distribution locations all over Alamance County, ensuring that every resident is less than 4 miles away from a food distribution site. These innovative and equity-driven solutions ensure that all families continue to have access to a strong grid of resources that enables every child to be well, healthy and ready to learn.
Alamance-Burlington School System has established more than 200 grab-and-go bus stops, where students can pick up lunch and breakfast for the next day. Using data to identify bus stops that pick up five or more students, the school system designed a strategy to serve students who may not be able to get to one of the 22 school lunch sites in the county — including students whose parents are working during the day. With locations ranging across the central, northern and southern parts of the county, the buses are an example of a solution designed with equity and access at the center. By adding new bus stops in response to community voice, ABSS is seeing a increase in the number of families who are able to access the daily deliveries — and the number of meals distributed.
Several churches and food pantries have adjusted their processes and hours to safely provide groceries to more families. Businesses and local restaurants are partnering with community members to design innovative ways to meet community needs for food.
These efforts provide a blueprint for how communities can leverage existing resources and design solutions that meet growing needs in our community. Before the recent closures, about half of all students who attend school at ABSS — nearly 12,000 — received free or reduced price meals at school. About 2,400 children under 5 are experiencing poverty, which limits access to healthy and affordable food. With the recent closures of schools, local businesses and restaurants, many more families are in need of support. This is one example of how community can continue to strengthen the grid of resources that support a healthy community.
Each of the points on this map is a place on the grid of resources that sustains the community during times of extreme need.
Sources: ABSS Grab and Go Bus Stop Meal Delivery List; ABSS Lunch Sites; United Way Resource Guide (all accessed 3/23/2020)
Resources
To view an updated list of community resources from United Way visit United Way Community Resource Guide.
To find ABSS grab-and-go bus stops and school lunch sites visit ABSS School Nutrition.
To find the closest resources to you on a Google map visit Map of Food Resources in Alamance County.
To Volunteer visit #Help4Alamance
Call 2-1-1 for NC Resources and Assistance, or use the 2-1-1 Online Search Tool
