Local News
Meals on Wheels of the Sandhills receives $37,000 to feed Moore homebound residents
Meals on Wheels of the Sandhills recently received a $37,000 grant to help reduce its waitlist and deliver more meals to homebound residents across Moore County. The funding comes courtesy of Food Lion Feeds’ national partnership with Meals on Wheels America, which is investing $250,000 to help local programs serve more seniors facing hunger and isolation.
The grant will support meal production and volunteer recruitment for new delivery routes, allowing the nonprofit to reach more residents in Foxfire, Whispering Pines, Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen, and Pinebluff.
This fall, Food Lion Feeds is expanding its partnership with Meals on Wheels America with a significant new investment to support the organization’s plan to End the Wait in an attempt to eliminate all waitlists and reach every senior who needs its services.
Dr. Penny Jeffrey, executive director of Meals on Wheels of the Sandhills, said the support will make a direct difference in recipients’ lives.
“In most cases, being homebound and socially isolated prevents people from acquiring nutritious food and daily affirmation from people who care,” Jeffrey said. “With the support from this grant, our organization can see and feed more homebound residents in Moore County, spreading love and hope to those facing food insecurity and lack of social interactions.”
A study from Meals on Wheels indicates that currently, there are over 2,500,000 North Carolinians over the age of 60, and nearly 25% of them live alone. Among those age 65 and older, almost half of single seniors (48.3%) don’t have enough income to cover basic living expenses. For couples, that number is 20.3%.
Meals on Wheels America launched End the Wait to highlight the growing number of older adults left without services due to a lack of resources and to rally support for serving more seniors in need of nutrition and connection. With senior hunger on the rise and federal funding not keeping pace with demand, partnerships like this are critical to ensure that older adults do not have to wait to receive life-sustaining services.
The nonprofit is entirely community-funded and relies on donations, grants, and volunteers who use their own vehicles to deliver meals. Meals on Wheels of the Sandhills provides a daily hot, nutritious meal to seniors and other individuals who are unable to shop or cook for themselves. The deliveries also serve as a wellness check and a source of companionship for those living alone.
The organization’s mission extends beyond nutrition, hoping to preserve independence and dignity for those who wish to remain in their homes.
A Moore County resident and his four-legged friend appreciate their delivery. Photo via Melissa Schaub.
Kevin Durkee, manager of Food Lion Feeds, said the grocery chain’s goal matches that mission. “At Food Lion, we believe no one should have to choose between dinner and rent or gas and groceries,” Durkee said. “That’s why we’re continuing our partnership with Meals on Wheels America to help ensure more older adults can receive nourishing meals. Together, we can bring hope and nourishment to thousands of seniors.”
In 2001, Food Lion started its nonprofit foundation run by volunteers to make it easier to help groups fighting hunger. Each year since, the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation has given grants and other donations to local organizations that feed people, especially children in need, and worked to improve access to healthy food. Since it launched, the foundation has given over $17.5 million to back to communities.
Since 2022, Food Lion Feeds has contributed more than $1.3 million to Meals on Wheels America and local providers, supporting the delivery of services to more than 23,500 older adults across Food Lion’s 10-state footprint.
Ellie Hollander, president and CEO of Meals on Wheels America, said partnerships like this strengthen the national network’s reach. “Our partnership with Food Lion Feeds is an example of our shared values in action,” Hollander said. “For years, Food Lion Feeds has demonstrated a deep commitment to nourishing its senior neighbors and addressing hunger. Together, we are turning those values into tangible impact—helping end the wait for older adults in need of nutrition and connection.”
Meals on Wheels of the Sandhills, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, serves central and southern Moore County residents who are homebound because of age, disability, or illness. To learn more about volunteering or donating, visit mealsonwheelsofsandhills.org
Want Moore news that matters? Please click here to sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel e-newsletter.
~ Article by Sandhills Sentinel Assistant Editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
Two people were arrested in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins linked to a Felony Lane Gang operating across multiple states.
According to the Aberdeen Police Department, officers responded to OrangeTheory Fitness on August 4 after a vehicle was broken into and items were reportedly stolen.
“Investigators began following leads and linked the case to similar cases in Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Foxfire, Pittsboro, High Point, and Fuquay-Varina,” states the Aberdeen Police Department in a press release. “A multi-jurisdictional investigation began, and investigators verified suspects in this case were part of a Felony Lane Gang that was targeting vehicles at gyms across several states.”
Detectives identified the suspect vehicle as a rental car and located it at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Surveillance footage from a bank in Cary helped investigators identify Victoria Tudor, 48, of Raleigh, and Ethan Smith, 33, of Youngsville, as suspects.
Warrants were issued on September 26. Smith is facing charges of felony obtaining property by false pretenses, and Tudor is facing charges of felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses. On November 7, officers with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department and the Raleigh Fugitive Task Force located the pair. Both were taken before a Wake County magistrate and received $5,000 secured bonds.
Police said the case remains open as investigators continue working with surrounding agencies to identify additional suspects.
All suspects and persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
To sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel breaking news e-newsletter, please click here.
Via Aberdeen Police Department.
Three people were arrested Thursday after Moore County Sheriff’s Office investigators executed a search warrant at a residence in the 100 block of Bell Fork Road in the Heflin Mobile Home Park in Aberdeen.
Detectives conducted the search on Nov. 13 and seized suspected cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana, multiple items of drug and marijuana paraphernalia, thirteen firearms, and more than $2,800 in cash.
Investigators arrested Jose Sanchez, 26, of Aberdeen, and charged him with felony possession of a Schedule I controlled substance; possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine; felony possession of cocaine; possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana; felony possession of marijuana; two counts of maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for controlled substances; and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Moore County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in district court on Dec.10.
Tabitha Sanchez, 56, of Aberdeen, was charged with felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance; simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was held at the Moore County Detention Center under a $5,500 secured bond and is also scheduled to appear in district court on Dec.10.
Brandy Grice, 50, of Aberdeen, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was committed to the Moore County Detention Center under a $5,500 secured bond and has the same Dec. 10 district court date.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Via Moore County Sheriff’s Office.
Two people were arrested in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins linked to a Felony Lane Gang operating across multiple states.
According to the Aberdeen Police Department, officers responded to OrangeTheory Fitness on August 4 after a vehicle was broken into and items were reportedly stolen.
“Investigators began following leads and linked the case to similar cases in Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Foxfire, Pittsboro, High Point, and Fuquay-Varina,” states the Aberdeen Police Department in a press release. “A multi-jurisdictional investigation began, and investigators verified suspects in this case were part of a Felony Lane Gang that was targeting vehicles at gyms across several states.”
Detectives identified the suspect vehicle as a rental car and located it at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Surveillance footage from a bank in Cary helped investigators identify Victoria Tudor, 48, of Raleigh, and Ethan Smith, 33, of Youngsville, as suspects.
Warrants were issued on September 26. Smith is facing charges of felony obtaining property by false pretenses, and Tudor is facing charges of felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses. On November 7, officers with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department and the Raleigh Fugitive Task Force located the pair. Both were taken before a Wake County magistrate and received $5,000 secured bonds.
Police said the case remains open as investigators continue working with surrounding agencies to identify additional suspects.
All suspects and persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
To sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel breaking news e-newsletter, please click here.
Via Aberdeen Police Department.
-
Local News7 months ago
What’s cooking in Moore County?
-
Local News8 months ago
Pregnant driver airlifted after Pinebluff crash
-
Local News8 months ago
Pregnant woman airlifted after Pinebluff crash
-
Local News8 months agoDriver trapped, roadway shut down after Cameron crash
-
Local News7 months ago
Obituary for Lori Griffin Smith of Carthage
-
Local News7 months ago
Music and more at Live After 5
-
Local News7 months agoFamily displaced after fire destroys home in Eagle Springs
-
Local News7 months agoTurning a new page: Progress made on new Aberdeen Library