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AHOSKIE – Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center (RCCHC), in partnership with the Food Bank of the Albemarle, will be distributing free boxes of produce and fresh fruit at the Ahoskie Amphitheatre on the last Wednesday of every month from 9 am – 1 pm, starting this coming Wednesday, Aug. 30.

The food is available to everyone, not just patients of RCCHC.

“In North Carolina, about 1.2 million people are experiencing food insecurity,” stated Brittany Pierce, Chief Nursing Officer at RCCHC. “One in six children are facing hunger. Many of our patients are food insecure, and RCCHC is extremely grateful to partner with Albemarle Food Bank. We are able to supply fresh produce, canned goods, and frozen meats to help those in need while also maintaining their independence and dignity.”

As a federally qualified health center, or community health center, RCCHC knows that it cannot only address the physical symptoms of illness in the doctor’s office. They must also address what are called social drivers of health—the conditions in which their patients live, work, and travel. Thus, providing fresh, healthy food for free will actually contribute to the whole community’s health.

“Getting to build this initiative from the ground up has been so rewarding because I know that far too many people experience food insecurity,” said RCCHC Community Health Worker Holly Nabors. “The Food Bank of the Albemarle is a wonderful organization to work with and our partnership will hopefully affect a lot of lives within our community by putting fresh, nutritious food onto the tables of our neighbors.”

RCCHC is grateful to the Town of Ahoskie for sharing space at the Ahoskie Recreational Complex for this event. Having the event at the town park is another reminder that the food distribution is for everyone in the community, regardless of address or income.

“As The Food Bank of the Albemarle’s Regional Engagement Manager for Bertie County, I am absolutely excited that Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center considered partnering with The Food Bank of the Albemarle to help end hunger and poverty not only in Bertie County, but in the surrounding counties as well,” said Alveta Chamblee. “It is such an honor to work with an amazing organization and individuals providing primary care such as Pediatric Care, Diabetes Education and Behavior Health, and now providing healthy nutritional opportunities that will benefit their patients and neighbors to live long, healthy, and happier lives. I am thrilled to be a part of their journey with the launch of Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center Food Pantry, and I wish them superlative success for many years to come.”