Over 15,000 Meals Delivered During COVID-19

Roxboro Housing Authority commissioners, staff and contractor safely distribute meals to youths during COVID-19 Pandemic;
Shares Donated Items to RHA households and starts academic program

Roxboro Housing Authority (RHA) ended its participation with emergency meal distribution through a partnership with Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina today. RHA gave out over 15,000 hot lunches and breakfast kits to local youths. RHA also distributed free masks, books, toys and safety information.

"The meal distribution effort was a positive, safe and direct way to help families in need during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Felts Lewis, executive director. "It also allowed RHA staff, commissioners and residents to stay in touch and exchange valuable information about various needs in the community." 

K&W Cafeteria of Chapel Hill prepared and delivered all the meals throughout the work week.

Meals came with white or chocolate fat free or one percent milk and were given to the parents of youths at all RHA sites:  Harris Gardens Community Building on Mount Bethel Church Street; Green Gardens Community at Green and Walker Street; Lee Gardens Community Center on Lyle Street; and Weatherly Heights Community Center on Cleveland Lane.

Along with residents receiving masks and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 safety flyers, staff and others representing RHA passed out Census 2020 coloring books, water bottles and bags supplied by Person County's GIS Department. Free books were provided courtesy of Person County Partnership for Children along with free toys provided by Person County Schools. Person Family Medical Center gave away book bags stuffed with school supplies to school-aged kids.  Person County Arts Council donated art supplies.  In addition, Person County Cooperative Extension Agency donated flower seeds, gardening tools and activity books.

Larry Mayfield, Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator, led the successful emergency meal distribution effort.  RHA commissioners and staff worked each site daily.  A special thanks goes to Commissioners Leon Holloway and Charlene Wilson along with Lee Gardens and resident Veader Pullium for extraordinary efforts to make this impactful endeavor possible.

Last month, RHA received an approval from the N.C. Division of Child and Adult Nutrition to offer hot meals to RHA Afterschool Program participants.

Since the start of the afterschool program on Aug. 17, RHA has distributed over 400 supper meals to school-aged children at Harris Gardens and Weatherly Heights Apts.  All RHA children are welcome to participant in afterschool program activities and to receive hot meals. Registration is required.

Smokey Dave's BBQ of Roxboro is the food vendor.

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