Cornelius Church Launches Food Giveaway: How To Apply Thursday

CORNELIUS, NC — A Cornelius church is taking aim at local food insecurity in the Lake Norman area with a new food distribution program.

Union Bethel AME Zion Church in Cornelius announced its "Project Kitchen Apron" free food give away" Thursday, a program that ships fresh food directly to applicants along with recipes.

Those eligible to apply include residents of Mecklenburg, Iredell, Catawba and Lincoln counties, as well as those living in Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Denver, Mooresville, Sherill's Ford, and Troutman, the church said.

Applications must be received online by 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, the church said.

"We would like to help as many vulnerable families (residing in the areas surrounding UBC) that have been experiencing food insecurities due to the impact of COVID-19 as we can," the church's pastor, Rev. Keno Cannady, told Patch.

Here's how to the Project Kitchen Apron program works, the church told Patch:

• Complete the application form online. The form may be found here. Say program organizers: "Please be open and honest when responding to this form. It will take approximately 10-20 minutes to complete in its entirety. Only complete responses will be considered in prioritizing need and distributing all available resources on a first come, first serve basis. The form must be submitted by Thursday, Dec. 17th at 11:59 p.m."
• Get Verification. Say organizers: "You will be contacted via email, phone call, and/or text message by a UBC representative within five business days regarding follow-up on the availability of these free resources. Individuals residing in areas surrounding Union Bethel AME Zion Church will be considered for eligibility
• Get Food Delivered. "Pre-ordered fresh foods customized to your households' specific dietary restrictions/considerations with suggested recipes to be cooked by hand will be delivered directly to your front door," organizers said.

Anyone without internet or who has difficulty completing the form online may call 980-309-8613 for assistance.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.