A Call to Action from Melissa Bailey at the NC Migrant Education Program…
Rainy weather conditions during sweet potato season are causing farmworker food scarcity Lenoir, Greene, and Wayne counties. Last week paychecks averaged $100 or less and next week is expected to be worse. Many farmworkers must pay transportation, rent and utilities totaling approximately $50-70 per week – sometimes more. Those who could move on have done so. Those who must wait for the next crop to be ready, must stay here and work out the season, regardless.
Contrary to popular belief, many families/farmworker youth do not qualify for food assistance or if they do qualify they do not have the required paycheck stubs, proof of address and other requirements. They also are often gone by the time their application for food assistance is processed.
I need assistance gathering the following the commodities/other items:
small bags of rice
small bags of pinto beans
small bags of black beans
bags of maseca (tortilla corn meal)
bottles/boxes of chicken bouillon
bottles of corn oil
bags of diapers – various sizes
boxes of school snacks (fruit roll-ups, fruit gummy bears, etc.)
blankets
lightweight jackets
garden gloves
Other acceptable items are canned fruit, canned pinto or black beans, canned green beans, canned corn, canned jalapeno peppers, canned tomatoes, canned chicken, tuna or other meats.
Our capacity: Please be aware that we do not have storage space available for large shipments of commodities. If you manage to acquire a significant amount of anything, be prepared to follow recruiters around and help deliver.
Estimated delivery dates: October 26 & 27; November 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24
Please respond by email or call me to coordinate pick up dates, times and locations.
Melissa Bailey
LCPS MEP (Title I, Part C)
Lead Recruiter
252.286.7064
mbailey@lenoir.k12.nc.us