FEMA Corps, a branch of the AmeriCorps program, held a food drive from its Durham office and is distributing food and other essentials like toiletries to the Salvation Army in Durham and the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, which serves Durham.
"A lot of people are having a rough holiday season," said Kaitlin Reed, who helped oversee the food drive. "Christmas is hard for homeless people who don't have food, and for single mothers and fathers struggling to provide that Christmas meal to their kids."
The FEMA field office in Durham also donated toilet paper, soap, toothpaste, razors, and other items to distribute here and to counties hit hard by Hurricane Matthew, she said.
"People are grateful for the smallest things, especially when they are in certain situations," Reed said.
Jessica Whichard, senior manager of communications for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, said the donations will help residents in Durham and other counties.
"This is an incredible amount of help," she said. "What we're seeing this year is that families who we normally serve are in even more need because of Hurricane Matthew."
Whichard said part of the FEMA Corps food will be sent from the Raleigh food bank to Durham.
"We know there are neighbors in Durham who are in need," she said, "so we try and spread around the donations we get during this time of year."
Debbie Avolin, director of social services for the Salvation Army in Durham, said the charity received 250 pounds of food Monday from FEMA Corps. Among the items were canned goods, rice and vegetables.
"It is a very tough time right now, and families are struggling," said Avolin, whose center also serves Orange and Person counties. "I'm getting calls from families that are struggling during Christmas for their kids."
Avolin said it's heart-breaking to see so much suffering.
"There's not enough money for families to pay their bills and also provide food and everything else for their children," she said. "We couldn't do what we do without the community's support."
Avolin said the Salvation Army will distribute the food this week. For those in emergency circumstances, call the Salvation Army at 919-688-7306, ext. 100. Leave your name, phone number, county of residence, and state what kind of help is needed.
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