ELIZABETH CITY — When a weather event like Hurricane Harvey strikes, Food Bank of the Albemarle is committed to providing assistance to those impacted, here in northeastern North Carolina, or anywhere in the continental United States. The Food Bank works collaboratively with disaster relief organizations, our partner agencies and coordinates efforts with Feeding America and our sister food banks from across North Carolina to respond effectively and provide assistance to the people affected.

Natural disasters put adequate nutrition further out of reach for those who struggle with hunger, and force others who have never received food assistance to seek help from food pantries, and create a desperate and long-term crisis for those impacted. Food Bank of the Albemarle will serve as a central collection site and will collect, sort and transport essential supplies collected for Hurricane Harvey relief in southeast Texas.

“All residents of North Carolina’s coast understand the dangerous reality of what a storm like Hurricane Harvey can do,” said Executive Director Liz Reasoner. “Food Bank of the Albemarle wants to be proactive to help with disaster relief in Texas and all areas affected by Hurricane Harvey. We are happy to facilitate and stage the gathering of non-perishable food items, diapers, baby wipes and paper products.”

Donations of non-perishable food can be coordinated through Rod Sershen, food resource manager at 252-335-4035, ext. 114. Monetary donations to support emergency assistance for the affected Texas food banks can be made at www.feedingamerica.org, or at Food Bank of the Albemarle’s website www.afoodbank.org, by selecting Texas Emergency Support in the dropdown menu.

The most requested items at affected food banks are:

• Hand-held snack items such as granola bars
• Pop-top ready-to-eat items (ravioli, soups, spaghetti)
• Shelf-stable pantry items such as peanut butter, tuna and soup
• Bottled water
• Cleaning supplies (bleach, non-bleach, paper towels, etc.)
• Personal hygiene items (toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc.)

Donations to support the relief efforts can be dropped at Eagle’s Wings Food Pantry, 932 W. Third St., Washington, and Food Bank of the Albemarle, 109 Tidewater Way, Elizabeth City.

Every donation will be offered to a Feeding America Food Bank serving the Texas region. In the event of a natural disaster in northeastern North Carolina during the collection of donations, all available resources will be allocated to the immediate community need. Food Bank of the Albemarle will honor our commitment to the affected Texas food banks once the local crisis is over.

The mission of the Food Bank is to fight hunger and poverty in our 15-county service area in northeast North Carolina. We are a regional clearinghouse for the collection and distribution of food and grocery items to 100 nonprofit and faith-based organizations for their food programs, and to eligible individuals for their food needs. Food Bank of the Albemarle serves Beaufort, Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Hyde, Martin, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell and Washington counties. For more information, call 252-335-4035 or visit www.afoodbank.org.