Our More Than a Meal program began in November 2021 with a simple intention: to show up for our unhoused neighbors in Fayetteville, North Carolina with food, care, and dignity. At the time, our program consisted of three volunteers, ten meals, and a small number of hygiene products. We served the downtown Fayetteville area during the colder months, often struggling to locate individuals in need due to the weather and our limited reach as a new and unfamiliar organization. Because of these constraints, the program initially operated once every other month.

By February 2022, we recognized the need to go beyond operating on a monthly schedule, so we committed to serving every Sunday. We began preparing 10–15 meals each week, and as the weeks passed, word spread. The individuals we served began telling others about us, and the need quickly grew. What started as a small effort soon required more meals, more supplies, and more hands.

As the program expanded, we established a consistent routine: distributing meals every Sunday at the Cumberland County Public Library, around 4:00 p.m. during colder months and 6:00 p.m. during warmer months. Weekly meal counts increased from 15 to 40–50, and today we serve 50–75 individuals every Sunday. Our volunteer base has grown to over 30 regular volunteers, and More Than a Meal has become a trusted, reliable presence for many in Fayetteville’s unhoused community.

Beyond weekly food distribution, the program has evolved into a platform for broader community support. We began hosting special More Than a Meal events that bring together partner organizations to offer essential services such as mental health support, flu shots, COVID testing, employment resources, and housing assistance. Two of these events, Vets for Vets and A Dollar and a Dream, reflect our commitment to dignity, collaboration, and hope.

Vets for Vets, held in honor of Veterans Day, has brought together active and retired military members to serve unhoused veterans alongside our team, while partner organizations provided critical services. A Dollar and a Dream, held in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, drew inspiration from both Dr. King’s legacy and Fayetteville native J. Cole’s message that greatness can grow from humble beginnings. Both events have centered on hope, possibility, and access to resources, and have laid the foundation for ongoing programs focused on improving access to essential support for underprivileged communities.

Today, hunger relief remains a core focus of our mission. Each Sunday, More Than a Meal provides hot meals alongside clothing, hygiene supplies, sleeping bags, and other essentials that support dignity and survival for individuals experiencing homelessness in Fayetteville. Many of those we serve face chronic food insecurity and limited access to basic necessities, and they rely on the consistency of our weekly presence.

For the past four years, this work has been carried out using our personal vehicle, an HR-V, to transport meals and supplies. Week after week, this vehicle is packed with hot food, snacks, drinks, clothing, hygiene kits, and seasonal items. As the program has grown in both scale and scope, this vehicle has become insufficient to safely and efficiently meet weekly demand. Limited space restricts how much we can bring, how many people we can serve, and places an ongoing strain on volunteers and program operations.

We are now seeking support to acquire a larger, program-dedicated vehicle for More Than a Meal. This investment will allow us to transport greater quantities of meals and essential supplies in a single trip, reduce logistical barriers, and ensure consistent service delivery. A dedicated outreach vehicle is critical to sustaining and expanding this program so that we can continue to show up every Sunday, meet growing needs, and serve our community with dignity, care, and consistency.

More Than a Meal has grown from a small act of service into a lifeline for many. A larger vehicle will help ensure that this lifeline remains strong!

More Than A Meal Vehicle Fund