Angels & Sparrows was founded in 2008 specifically for local needs in Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, and north Charlotte. So far this year the ministry has provided over 140,000 meals to students, families, and seniors in the area. In past years, 10% of all money raised at World Hunger Day goes to support Angels & Sparrows food ministries.
“We serve about 450 families through half a dozen meal programs targeted to people with different needs,” according to Cindy Deutsch, director of development for Angels & Sparrows. “Our origins were the Community Table that provides seated service on weekdays from 10:30 to 1.”
Seated service is in a facility behind New Friendship Presbyterian Church on North Old Statesville Road in Huntersville. Local churches and other volunteers provide the manpower.
First Baptist Church – Huntersville member Alice White leads a team of volunteers two to three Tuesdays a month. The group consists of church members, Lydia’s Loft volunteers, and others.
“We ask people to commit to work from 8 to 2 on those Tuesdays. Twelve people at a time help in the kitchen, dining room, and Market Place,” she said. “It is fun, rewarding, and hard work.” She added that anyone interested in helping should see her for details.
The Market Place provides a place where donated food that is not used for seated service can be taken home by diners.
Food is donated by local stores such as Publix, Trader Joes, Lowes Foods, Target, and Whole Foods. The food is sorted, and only suitable items are used or given away. Leaving no stone unturned, Angels & Sparrows even has a community garden that provides fresh vegetables and herbs for cooking and gifts.
It doesn’t stop there. Angels & Sparrows provides to go lunches for people to take to work and a summer lunch program for students who can’t access the CMS summer program. Volunteers deliver meals to seniors twice a week and make regular visits to local neighborhoods. Food is also donated to East Huntersville Community Outreach (EHCO) for homebound seniors in the area.
This Christmas, the ministry will provide a Holiday Meal Box program containing items for a great meal at home. Angels & Sparrows also supports local families with adult education, tutoring for children, networking, housing, and transportation support.
“Providing dignity is at the forefront of our mission,” Cindy said. “Everything we do from sorting to distributing keeps that in mind.”
Food donations are accepted at Angels and Sparrows, 15016 N. Old Statesville Road, any weekday from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 pm. Items must not be expired and should not be opened.
Visit their website at https://angelsandsparrows.org to learn more about this local ministry.
