Every Wednesday since 2020, a trunkful of healthy food from the Neighborhood Network of Ballantyne has been delivered to Refugee Support Services’ “Park and Pick Market” in East Charlotte. The market was established to help fight food insecurity for local immigrant and refugee households in the area.

Spearheaded by BCC resident Michelle Ormerod, the Neighborhood Network has recently expanded into four Ballantye-area neighborhoods and has over 70 registered donors, most of whom drop off produce to Michelle’s porch every week. Michelle sends out a weekly Friday request email to her donor network, and usually selects one fresh vegetable or fruit and a starch (rice or potatoes) to collect that week. She often collects over 200-250 pounds of each item, and recently broke her record with a collection of 350 pounds of carrots!

Due to the continued generosity and kindness of the Network’s donors, Michelle was able to deliver over 18,000 pounds of food in 2023. People also donate household goods, clothes, shoes and toiletries, which are all delivered weekly along with the food, tightly packed into her trunk!

The market operates rain or shine, and in 2023 the food and supplies were distributed to a weekly average of 120 participating local families, who often begin to stand in line up to two hours before the market opens. This market is often a lifeline for these families who originate from countries all over the world, including Afghanistan, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and, more recently, Ukraine.

Sadly, the need is great as ongoing conflicts continue around the world and families seek refuge in our country. Many families work two or three jobs to support their livelihoods, and often volunteer at the market themselves. Every week Michelle witnesses these refugees being so appreciative of every bag of food they receive, and always willing to share and help each other.

Participating in the Network is an easy way to help this community in need. By simply adding a few extra items to your weekly shop and dropping them off on Michelle’s porch, a huge and very direct difference can be made to these families.

If you would like to join the Network, please email Michelle at ormerod4@yahoo.com.