We recently visited our partner agency, Community of Hope, as they were filming a WRAL interview about the work they are doing to provide food assistance in Garner and beyond. In 2025, Community of Hope gave over 600,000 meals to 29,000 neighbors! At their food pantry, neighbors can shop for the products they need like a grocery store or attend a monthly drive-thru distribution.
Amy White, the Executive Director of Community of Hope Ministries, leads a team of dedicated volunteers whose aim is to provide a week's worth of food for each individual who visits their pantry. For some neighbors, this food can stretch even further. Ms. Barbara Winston, a senior on a fixed income, told WRAL that her meals can last a month. After visiting Community of Hope for over a decade, volunteers know Barbara's favorite food and are eager to pack meals she enjoys. Barbara walked WRAL through the food pantry to share what she loves about Community of Hope. Her playful humor was a delight to the WRAL team.
– Barbara Winston Longtime Community of Hope Food Pantry Recipient in an interview with WRALWhen I come [to Community of Hope Ministries], everything [in stock] is what I like. [...] I only come once a month because they supply me enough [food] where I don't have to come back 2 or 3 times.
– Amy White Executive Director of Community of Hope Ministries in an interview with WRALWe try to make our vegetables and our produce look like a grocery store. And the dignity of choice, I can't say enough about that. Barbara [can] come in and choose, and not be overwhelmed, and [...] have things that are first quality.
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