More local food distribution!
servants with a heart has been distributing many meals in the local Charlotte area during this difficult time of COVID-19 — Below is some information about one location that has been especially impacted
Refugee Support Services is a 501(c)3 nonprofit post-resettlement organization that helps newly-arrived refugees — and those who have been here for years and may even have become U.S. citizens — make Charlotte their new home. The mission of Refugee Support Services of the Carolinas, Inc. is to facilitate programs and intercultural relationships that promote refugee self-sufficiency and enrich our community. We aim to connect refugees to the greater Charlotte community by facilitating reciprocal relationships between refugees and Americans through the Fruitful Friendships Program, teach self-sufficiency skills to refugees, empower them to thrive in American society through our various programs, including Refugee Help Center sessions, educational programs, and occasional special events.
Currently, Charlotte is home to over 17,000 refugees and former refugees from all around the world. Charlotte has been receiving refugees from such countries as the Central Highlands of Vietnam; Nepal (folks of Bhutanese-Nepali heritage); Burma (currently called Myanmar); African nations: Eritrea, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda; Iraq, Afghanistan, and most recently, Syria.
With our weekly Wednesday food distribution program, we collaborate with a national food rescue organization, Society of St. Andrew, to provide fresh and nutritious produce to refugee families. On occasion, we get donations from other area organizations, church garden ministries, and individuals. As part of the distribution program, we work hard to educate refugee friends in language skills and other important information. In normal times, we serve 30-60 refugees each Wednesday; during this pandemic, during which many families have lost one or both incomes through unemployment, we are serving 110 refugee families each Wednesday. We are so appreciative of the meals that servants with a heart has been able to provide us during these challenging times!
Marci Mroz, General Program Coordinator, Refugee Support Services
