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Nourish Up celebrated its new Hunger Hub with the community by inviting families to a cookout. The event on Saturday aimed to introduce the latest tool from the nonprofit to fight food insecurity.
Tina Postel is the CEO of the non-profit. She echoed the group's motto with WCNC Charlotte.
“Our goal at Nourish Up isn't just to fill plates, but it's to fill hearts,," she said.
The mission is to fight hunger throughout the Carolinas.
“We want to make sure that everyone has access to fresh, healthy meals and groceries," Postel added.
Marilyn Dunlap attended the cookout and was pleased to see how much was offered to families.
"We appreciate what they do for the community," she said.
Dunlap lives in Charlotte and shares the hurdles she facesto keep her shelves stocked with food.
“We can't afford to buy what we should be what we really need for nutrition,” she said.
Reducing hunger is an issue that North Carolina Rep. Alma Adams doesn’t take lightly. She was present for the cookout Saturday and said groups like Nourish Up are an important resource to ensure neighbors are able to thrive.
"Eating is a basic right, and you can't be healthy if you're hungry," she said.
Nourish Up aims to reach more families and keep food on the table every day.
"We want to welcome our neighbors and let them know that there's no shame in needing a hand up," said Postel. "Our vision is for a community that accepts no excuses for our neighbors going hungry.”
Nourish Up is part of a network of more than 30 food pantries in the Charlotte area. It's also part of the Queen City’s Meals on Wheels program.
Contact Myles Harris at mharris5@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.