Bringing In the Harvest
This week, I had the privilege to work with a team of folks helping to prepare food to make Community Harvest Bowls. Chatham Community Harvest is a program grown from a partnership with Equiti Foods, Pittsboro Eats! and the Chatham Alliance. Funds are raised quarterly to purchase ingredients to produce healthy, balanced meals following guidelines established in consultation with Dr. Alice Ammerman, UNC professor of nutrition. As such, the number of bowls produced is directly dependent on how much money is raised.
The goal for this build was 400 bowls. Amazingly, 500 bowls and an extra 126 entrees for the Chuckwagon program were made. The bowls will be divided evenly between CORA Food Pantry, Communities in Schools Chatham County and Chatham Alliance programs.
Each day of the 3 day build process was busy and everyone who volunteered worked diligently their entire shifts. It was truly amazing to see how much was accomplished. The chatter and laughter were joyful to listen to and caused me to reflect on the CA organization and the impact that it’s making on our community. Three years ago, a group of representatives from 3 churches decided to work together, self fund and offer support and care to our community. Since then, a nonprofit has been established, three programs launched, and countless relationships have been developed. Every board member is an exceptional leader, every volunteer is committed to sharing their time to provide care and nutritional support to every member of our community who would like to receive it.
Whether it’s siting in a board meeting, cooking or packaging food with the Chuckwagon or Community Harvest, monitoring local youth that are making cookies and love notes for Kids Love Community or participating in food distributions, folks are showing up. They are all ages and from diverse backgrounds. They show up because they care. They show up and spread joy. They are building community and sharing love. They humble me. They inspire me. I couldn’t be more grateful for every presence and the ability to witness what they do.
Joyful service is what powers the Community Harvest.
