Dear friends,

Welcome to 2025! I am filled with gratitude for the dedication, compassion, and generosity that fuels the work of PORCH Communities. Hunger remains a pervasive challenge, affecting millions of individuals, including 1 in 5 children, across the U.S. But together, we’ve made meaningful strides to address this crisis. In 2024 our network of 2,000+ volunteers contributed over $2 million in hunger relief efforts, 

touching the lives of thousands nationwide.

These achievements are only possible because of you—our donors, volunteers, and supporters.

Please join our annual State of the Communities call where we’ll go through our collective accomplishments and share PORCH Communities’ priorities for 2025. Register HERE

On behalf of our entire team, thank you for being an integral part of this journey. 

With appreciation,

Christine

Christine M. Cotton

CEO/Founder

“On behalf of the PORCH Communities board, I am delighted to announce that Christine Makhuli Cotton, the visionary founder of PORCH Communities, has been appointed as our new Chief Executive Officer. In line with this change, Christine has stepped down as board chair, and I have replaced her in that position…” - Steve Spokane. Read the full letter here

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.

🍑Douglasville, GA

🌲Meredith, NC

🌲Cary, NC (The Reserve)

We are thankful for all of the PORCH volunteers who give their time, energy, and resources to make a difference in their communities.

We are thrilled to announce Jennifer Kready has joined PORCH Communities as our full-time Program Manager!  Jennifer’s public service journey began twenty-four years ago as an Art Room Instructor at a Boys and Girls Club in Phoenix. Since then, she has worked in affordable housing, financial literacy, and hunger relief through fundraising, programs, and volunteer engagement. 

Jennifer shared, “PORCH’s volunteers inspire others, bringing hope and resources to their communities. I look forward to supporting our chapters, strengthening connections across our network, and amplifying the collective voice of PORCH.”

After their military service, Jennifer and her husband settled in Apex, NC, where they reside with their dachshunds, Liesl and Fritz.

Stephanie and Roger Fowler hit the ground running to establish PORCH in Roanoke, VA. The chapter’s first neighborhood, McVitty Forest, provided 720 pounds of food to a local pantry in 2024 and now two new neighborhoods are coming on board. 

Their creative outreach efforts are yielding big results. PORCH was selected as one of the benefiting partners for Roanoke Natural Foods Co-Op "Change for the Community" program in 2025.  They will also present to teachers from across the state at the Virginia Alpha Delta Kappa State Convention in March 2025. 

Follow along with PORCH - Roanoke’s momentum on Facebook. 

PORCH opened 27 new chapters in 2024.

Your donation will help us continue this vital work, funding new chapters in communities that need us most.

Coalition Building: As the federal administration transitions, the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health is winding down. To continue to keep the work going, the CDC Foundation is hosting a monthly call with organizations working to foster healthy, resilient communities. You can register for future calls at www.impacthunger.org. 

Education: Help the children in your life learn about food insecurity with these “read aloud” books recommended by the Topeka & Shawnee County Library.

Research: Food insecurity is still misunderstood. According to the Empty Tables: The Hidden Reality of Food Insecurity, 13.5 million American households experience food insecurity, yet only 24% of Americans see it as one of the top three issues facing families. But there is some good news: the willingness to help.

FEATURED EVENT

TUESDAY, Feb 11, 7PM

Join PORCH Communities CEO, Christine Cotton,

and Board Chair, Steve Spokane,

as they reflect on the collective impact

of over 50 PORCH chapters.

Register HERE

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