Michele Chandler
Matt Munse met a man who was homeless on Hillsborough Street about a month ago. They hung out for three hours. He met the man’s wife and son and took them to his house and cooked them dinner.
By participating in a weekly program at his church, Vintage 21, these types of interactions have become second nature to Munse, who graduated in 2004 and plans to gain an additional degree next fall.
Every Tuesday and Thursday, members of the church, including six to eight students, go downtown to Moore Square carrying two or three bagged meals each.
While feeding people is the main goal of Meals in Moore Square, Munse said the friendships they have developed are also important.
“It’s more than just feeding people in need but developing relationships with those that have fallen on hard times,” he said. “It’s a way of understanding and living with all of the people that make up the population of Raleigh.”
Munse said he enjoys the time he spends with the needy every week.
“Until I can do something in addition, I just love on these people, and pray that others will learn to do the same,” Munse said.
Other local organizations, such as the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina and the Raleigh Rescue Mission, are taking part in the nationwide effort to create greater awareness about hunger and homelessness.
Triangle residents had the opportunity to dine out and make a difference Tuesday, while 10 percent of their restaurant bills were collected for the fight against hunger in the Restaurants Sharing V/5 + V/5 Percent program.
Nancy Novell, special events and food drive manager for the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, said 71 restaurants in Wake County were involved in the RSVVP program and raised more than $14,000 last year.
She said the central goal was to get as many restaurants involved as possible, which meant the distribution of more than 900 letters. This year, 79 restaurants stepped up to the plate, according to Novell.
“We are so grateful for those 79 restaurants,” she said. “Education is one of the key things we need to focus on. We have to educate people about hunger in our area and raise awareness so our community can get involved and make a difference.”
ABC 11 will launch its public promotion today for the Heart of Carolina Food Drive, Novell said.
Several student organizations have contributed to this event, which began at the end of October, including the men’s rugby club and the Air Force ROTC.
In addition to the food drive, members of the NCSU chapter of Habitat for Humanity are volunteering help for a clothing drive which will take place throughout the week’s entirety.
The University teamed up with Raleigh Rescue Mission to hold the winter warm-up drive.
Lisa Thompson, a Habitat volunteer and senior in animal science, said students can donate blankets, coats and hooded sweatshirts to help keep people warm. The collection boxes are located in the Talley Student Center, each of the Tri-Towers, North Hall and Wolf Village building G.
Leslie Currin, director of public relations at Raleigh Rescue Mission, said men, women and children live at the mission. Once the needs of these individuals are met, the surplus of coats and blankets will be given to other community members, she said.
Last year, the mission gave out more than 2,250 blankets, according to Currin.
“One coat makes a difference. One blanket makes a difference,” she said. “When I am here sometimes at night and people come in asking for blankets and we don’t have any, I just think to myself how much I wish everyone knew the importance of just one. That one blanket or coat could keep someone warm this winter.”