See inside: Longtime nonprofit tackles surging food insecurity at its new Charlotte HQ
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Nourish Up's new facility in west Charlotte. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
Nourish Up — a nonprofit that gives groceries and meals to people across Mecklenburg County — provided food to 55,000 people in the first four months of 2024.
Why it matters: That's 40% higher than the same period in 2023, a record-breaking year, underscoring a local housing crisis and a lack of living wages, Nourish Up CEO Tina Postel tells Axios.
State of play: Nearly 50% of those served are children and seniors. They're bracing for the summertime surge when kids are out of school and some won't have as much access to food.
Context: Loaves & Fishes merged with Friendship Trays in 2021 to create Nourish Up.
- The Hunger Hub, the nonprofit's new home, is in west Charlotte off Interstate 85 (901 Carrier Dr.).
- Nourish Up bought the building in December 2021 for $8.1 million and moved into the 90,000-square-foot facility in April. It previously leased space behind Costco.
- The new HQ is a $22.8 million project.
Driving the news: The group's latest donation is $3 million from The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation. It's the largest gift Nourish Up has ever received in the organization's nearly 50-year history, and it brings the campaign for the project to just under $20 million.
Zoom in: The new space includes a warehouse, a volunteer center that's climate-controlled, administrative space with a call center and a conference center with a teaching kitchen.
- The facility has 10 times the amount of cold storage as its previous location, meaning they can provide more fresh food to people.
- Other organizations like Feeding Charlotte, which rescues excess food so it goes to people in need rather than being thrown away, can rent space at the Hunger Hub.
Zoom out: Hunger Hub's on-site food pantry will open in the coming months. The space is currently used to package client deliveries, but it will ultimately feel like a small grocery store.
- Its Meals on Wheels kitchen is the next phase of the project.
By the numbers: The nonprofit has seen a surge in the number of people it serves annually.
- In 2021, the organization provided groceries to 77,140 people. By 2022, that number had grown to 106,547.
- In 2023, Nourish Up provided groceries to 137,806 — enough people to fill Bank of America Stadium, Spectrum Center, Bojangles Coliseum, Truist Field and PNC Music Pavilion combined, Postel notes.
What they're saying: "This Hunger Hub home could not have come together at a more perfect time," Postel says.
What's next: Nourish Up is preparing for several grand opening events this month at its new location, including a community cookout on Saturday, June 22, from noon until 2pm to introduce the organization to the neighborhood, Postel says.
- People can stop by for burgers and hot dogs and fresh treats, learn about volunteer opportunities and those in need can get groceries.
- Learn about volunteer opportunities with Nourish Up here, how to donate food here and funds here. If you or someone you know is in need, you can find food here.
Take a look around.
