Since the year began, a number of federal actions have hit the communities we support. At the same time, we continue to serve. Every month. Without fail. In more communities than ever. How apt that April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month, because our community, along with your pantry staff and neighbors, has never appreciated the work you do more than now.
In this issue, we share the information you need to know about funding cuts to food programs. Economic uncertainty, fears over immigration status, and cuts to other benefits will also put pressure on food security, so PORCH with its responsive, local model, is more necessary than ever.
Most importantly, I hope you feel how valued you are as part of the PORCH family. Making volunteering with us as easy and inclusive is so important, it’s written into our values, and I strive continually to keep it that way. Nothing keeps me going more than connecting on our monthly forums. If you have not joined recently, please come in May for an energizing boost of camaraderie and caring.
With appreciation,
Christine
Christine M. Cotton
CEO/Founder
Tell The Rea
This spring, we’re proud to highlight the incredible generosity of several community partners whose support is driving our mission forward. Special thanks to Duke Doing Good, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Sunrise Rotary Club, Goodwill Industries of Eastern NC, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina for their commitment to helping families thrive.
We are deeply thankful for the funding that will allow PORCH to grow and reach more communities. As we continue our work to bring PORCH to new neighborhoods, we welcome your ideas and suggestions—together, we can expand our impact and build a stronger network of support.
In Response to USDA Cuts, PORCH Communities Calls on Local Residents to Support Food Pantries
PORCH released a call to action in response to cuts in federal funding for food banks, with local media alerts in several states. For example:
USDA is canceling $11 million in federal funding for North Carolina food banks, PORCH Communities (PORCH) urges residents to join our grassroots effort to support local food pantries. Read the full alert.
Welcome to our newest PORCH Communities! Be sure to spread the word with your family and friends in these areas. How? Share the relevant local PORCH website (found at Our Communities), which includes an easy “Get Involved” form.
We are thankful for all PORCH volunteers who give their time, energy, and resources to make a difference in their communities.
Anne Rico, once with PORCH Buckhead in Atlanta, brought her passion for fighting food insecurity with her when she relocated to Chattanooga, TN. Inspired by the grassroots, neighbor-to-neighbor model, Anne launched PORCH Chattanooga in 2023, holding the chapter’s first official food collection in early 2024.
Her work gained local attention, including a feature in 'Nooga Today,' which celebrated the chapter’s launch and its mission to strengthen local food access through community engagement.
PORCH Chattanooga currently supports Northside Neighborhood House, helping provide essential food to families in need. The chapter also engages youth through a Student Ambassador, who supports Joseph’s Storehouse at Dallas Bay Church in Hixson.
Anne recently began tabling at Main Street Farmers Market to build awareness and invite new volunteers. At one of her first events, a community member who met her at the market was interested in getting involved—proof that PORCH’s face-to-face, relationship-based approach is already working in her new community.
Most recently, Anne partnered with Red Bank Food Pantry to help recruit a dedicated Neighborhood Coordinator, expanding PORCH’s reach and helping the pantry serve even more neighbors in the community.
PORCH Chattanooga is a testament to how one person’s commitment, combined with a simple, replicable model, can ignite lasting change in a new city.
Your donation will help us continue this vital work, funding new chapters in communities that need us most.
PORCH Marietta sent out a press release on its milestone: 100,000 pounds of food delivered to pantries! This local paper shared the news.
The National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference is in Washington, D.C May 4-8,2025, so we will be on the lookout for materials and announcements coming out of the event. More
The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) released in March state-by-state fact sheets detailing how proposed cuts to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) would impact children, families, and school districts.
Food as Medicine Study from Duke: Duke CTSI worked with Root Causes, NCCU, and El Centro Hispano to deliver medically tailored groceries and nutrition education to underserved communities. Results showed improved blood pressure and food security in just three months.
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