Program helps vacationers feed the needy

Wrightsville Beach, N.C. — Every summer, tourists flock to vacation rentals along the North Carolina coast. They stock the kitchens, often with more food than they can eat. So a food bank has found a way for that food to help others.

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Vacationers donate food to soup kitchen

Every Saturday, through the summer, Little Chapel on the Boardwalk members' set-up a tent and collect food for the needy.

"We collect the food, then on Monday's, it's delivered to the Good Shepard Soup Kitchen in Wilmington," church member Kellie Henry said.

The food comes from vacationers who often stock beach houses with food and don't want to bring leftovers home.

"We already bring enough stuff, we don't need to take that (food) home," vacationer Tammy Wright said.

Tourists, like Wright, are asked by the church to drop off unused food at the tent as they head out of town.

"I think it's great because you always have extra stuff left over that you can't transport home," Wright said.

After the food is dropped off, volunteers, like 8-year-old Emma, stack their stash in the church refrigerators.

"I know we got at least 19 people to donate all this food," Boitnott said while looking inside the fridge.

"I think it's a great match and I'm glad someone came up with this idea," vacationer Sarah Wallin said.

"We've been doing it for nine years. It's been great, (and) every year we get more and more (food)," Henry said.

To contact the Good Shepard Soup Kitchen, call 910-763-4424