Guilford County partners with local organizations, farmers to feed hundreds over the holidays

Guilford County is partnering with local farmers and organizations to distribute more than 500 food boxes throughout the area in December.

The partnership is led by the Food Security Program, which is under the county's Cooperative Extension office. The initiative uses American Rescue Plan Act funds to address hunger locally.

Guilford County Food Security Coordinator Alyssa Mckim says the goal is to provide healthy, nutritious food to families in need during the holidays.

"However, we're taking it one step further by sourcing that food from local farmers to support the local economy," she says. "And in addition, to kind of give some holiday flair or holiday cheer to the folks who are receiving the boxes, we partnered with the YMCA in High Point and we had kids create holiday cards for each box."

According to research from Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, more than 58,000 people faced food insecurity in Guilford County in 2021.

Meals are expected to be delivered to individuals in High Point on Friday, and to neighborhoods across Greensboro next Wednesday.