Kenan Trust Grants $1M to Support Community Food Hub

Dignity through Food and Community: IFC Receives $1M Gift for New Community Food Hub

October 24, 2018
Chapel Hill-Carrboro, NC 

Inter-Faith Council for Social Service (IFC) is raising funds through the FoodFirst Capital Campaign to transform its downtown Carrboro property into a three-story community food hub. This new 16,000 square-foot facility will co-locate IFC’s Community Kitchen and Food Pantry in a welcoming and accessible space, making it possible for members to stop in for a meal and shop for groceries to sustain their families. The building will also house IFC’s Emergency Financial Assistance program, which was recently expanded through a partnership with Orange County Department of Social Services.

Thanks to a $1M gift from the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust, $4.3M has been raised towards the $5.3M goal.  Half of the $1M gift will be a matching grant opportunity.  “For over half a century, the work of IFC has played a critical role for our underserved citizens. This new community food hub will expand its critical services and ensure food accessibility with dignity.” Doug Zinn, Executive Director, William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust.

To make a matched donation, please visit www.ifcweb.org/foodfirst. 

Community cabinet members have been working hard to solicit funding and increase awareness in the quiet and public phases of the campaign.  “As Campaign Co-Chairs we are thrilled to receive this generous gift as we work to close the gap and meet the campaign goal.” said Robert Dowling, Community Home Trust, also speaking on behalf of Kevin Foy, NCCU Law Professor.  IFC plans to start construction by Summer 2019 for an anticipated completion in 2020. 

About IFC
IFC believes in a community where everyone’s basic needs are met, including dignified and affordable housing, an abundance of healthy food and meaningful social connection.  In 1963, seven local women united their volunteer efforts to address the conditions of poverty in Orange County. More than 55 years later and with a robust network of more than 6,000 volunteers, members, donors and residents, IFC continues its mission to confront the causes and respond to the effects of poverty in our community. 

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