Pay what you can: Creating community, feeding the hungry

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Neighborhoods on the outskirts of town are often referred to as communities, or by describing the area geographically.

For example: “At the intersection of Crawford Dairy Road and Jones Ferry Road, turn left on to Jones Ferry Road and Cedar Grove United Methodist Church is a half mile down on your left.”

But there’s also community based on coming together to fulfill needs. Case in point: Pastor Danny Berrier of Cedar Grove United Methodist Church and members of his congregation create community through providing warm meals for food insecure families on the second Thursday of each month.

On those days, beginning at 5 p.m., the Ta Contento Food Truck arrives ready to prepare a variety of delicious Mexican entrees for your dinner. Some attendees purchase dinner, visit and eat dinner with whomever is on the grounds. Others, driving through on their way home from work, stop and get “take out” dinner for their family. A table with a variety of books for children and adults are free. Some members of Cedar Grove United Methodist Church tithe money to this cause.

Last Thursday, Berrier invited staff from CORA (the Chatham Outreach Alliance) to participate with their “mobile market.” CORA staff arrived with enough food for 65 families.

In addition, the staff from the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office set up a table, mingled and helped load and unload food for the community.

Each month, the number of people who show up increases along with the diversity of people. “Pay What You Can” thrives by word of mouth. At the end of today’s event, 65 people dropped by to purchase a meal.

In addition, seven days a week, mother and son, Lynn Carter and Cass Somersette, set out non-perishable items on the covered entrance to the church. Items on the church’s “front porch” include canned soups, paper products, cleaning products and other non-perishable items. Everything is free for those in need to drop by and take what they need.

Cedar Grove United Methodist Church is located on 2791 Jones Ferry Rd. in Pittsboro.