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WRAL.com at the State Fair

The WRAL.com team is covering the hedonism that is the N.C. State Fair.

2012 NC State Fair

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State Fair food drive helps the hungry

By Kelly Gardner

Published: 2012-10-18 17:05:00
Updated: 2012-10-19 08:11:12

Posted: October 18, 2012
Updated: October 19, 2012

Thursday is Food Lion Hunger Relief Day at the North Carolina State Fair – where fairgoers take four cans of Food Lion-brand food to get in free.

The food, which benefits the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, will go to nearly 900 food outlets in 34 counties, including the Catholic Parish Outreach pantry in Raleigh.

More than 9,600 people a month pick up food there, says pantry director Terry Foley.

About 2.8 million pounds of food went out of the pantry last year, and Foley says there's a constant need for food.

"It turns over so quickly because of the amount of people we serve," Foley said. "Clients that are coming to a food pantry really desperately need it for this day, for this week."

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one in six families, or 14.9 percent of the U.S. population, ran short of food in 2011.

In North Carolina, an estimated 3.72 million people, or 17.1 percent of households, experienced some kind of food shortage.

Derek Greene knows all too well. He's simply trying to make it through tough times.

"Even though I'm an engineer – or I was an engineer until I got laid off – I have to support my family," he said. "It's truly a blessing to be able to come here and get the items a family needs."

In the 17-year history of the State Fair's canned food drive, it has collected more than 2 million pounds of food.

The food drive continues all day. If you can't make it out, consider making donations directly to the Food Bank.

Copyright 2012 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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3 Comments


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Check the link to the story WRAL, you need an editor.
Wenchmaid
October 19, 2012 5:21 a.m.
[abuse] Report abuse
I think I will start going to these food banks. Since the Government is robbing me to pay for food stamps for other people, I need to recoup my losses.
whatelseisnew
October 18, 2012 5:26 p.m.
[abuse] Report abuse
You couldn't pay me enough $$$ to eat food at the fair.
Click to view my profile Impeach-the-Czar
October 18, 2012 5:08 p.m.
[abuse] Report abuse
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NC State Fair Videos

•• 
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  • Former state Agriculture Commissioner Jim Graham was Mr. State Fair. He oversaw and improved the fair, which ended its 10-day run…

  • Margalit Mermelstein of Raleigh shares her award-winning Super Sour Super Novas cookie recipe.

  • Dempsey Means is calm, cool and collected. That's how the veteran State Fair supervisor is described. He handles the chaos of the…

  • Duane Raver of Garner is a highly acclaimed wildlife artist who has been a fixture at the Village of Yesteryear at the North Carolina…

  • Jennifer Caslin, from the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, talks with WRAL News about the importance of Hunger Relief…

  • Tim Trudgeon, of Mocksville in Davie County, is a pumpkin carver who demonstrates his amazing craft at the North Carolina State Fair.…

  • WRAL's Brian Shrader is live at the State Fair and explains road closures designed to ease fair traffic this weekend.

  • Matthew Varnadoe and Brian Long share which of the fried foods have been the biggest sellers at the 2012 NC State Fair.

  • Michael Shaffer is the "tree man" at the North Carolina State Fair.

  • The Army Ground Forces Band serenades fair-goers outside the WRAL News tent at the State Fair Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012.

  • Winners of the Incredible Edible Egg contest provide recipes for taste-testing on the WRAL News.

  • This is the 59th year of the brick-laying competition at the fair.

WRAL at the NC State Fair on Twitter
  2. NCStateFair: What a great day to browse the flea market! Come on out!
      — Saturday, May 25, 2013 1:24 PM
  4. handmedowngrace: Strawberry jam in process. #ncstatefair #blueribbon http://t.co/J8srjfPjhC
      — Saturday, May 25, 2013 11:51 AM
  6. JackNales: Hawg wings @ PA Amish Farmers Market. Need these in #NCSTATEFAIR
      — Saturday, May 25, 2013 11:14 AM
  8. NCStateFair: The 25th Annual Pet Bird Fair is happening today in the Scott Building. Come out for Cockatiel & Lovebird shows and more!
      — Saturday, May 25, 2013 9:06 AM
  10. NCStateFair: Equestrian Exchange, Pet Bird Fair and flea market are happening this weekend: http://t.co/ACSsnvlCQC
      — Friday, May 24, 2013 2:55 PM
  12. NCStateFair: The Equestrian Exchange Tack Consignment Sale in the Holshouser Building is going on through Sunday. Stop on by! http://t.co/jcof41HY1u
      — Friday, May 24, 2013 11:56 AM
  14. NCStateFair: Check out photos on our FB page from the @ValorGamesSE. Or even better, come on out and cheer them on: http://t.co/kBu303SE9L
      — Thursday, May 23, 2013 11:11 AM
  16. NCStateFair: Come support our wounded/injured military as they compete in the final day of the @valorgamesse at the fairgrounds.
      — Thursday, May 23, 2013 8:05 AM
  18. NCStateFair: RT @valorgamesse: Events at Duke are winding down, but come join us tomorrow at the NC State Fairgrounds for the last day of #valorgames!
      — Wednesday, May 22, 2013 2:42 PM
  20. NCStateFair: The Blue Book Network Showcase is taking place in the Scott Building this afternoon from 3 to 7 pm. http://t.co/Zt9MdLEaUy
      — Wednesday, May 22, 2013 12:02 PM
  22. NCStateFair: Check out our photos in the new Flickr layout. Much easier to navigate! http://t.co/XoanjHMIz7
      — Wednesday, May 22, 2013 10:14 AM
  24. NCStateFair: RT @valorgamesse: Updated schedule for #ValorGamesSoutheast: http://t.co/5Ujy4VQqcQ . Come cheer these heroes, #ChapelHill #Durham #Raleigh.
      — Tuesday, May 21, 2013 4:44 PM
  26. NCStateFair: Our PR intern started today. Welcome to the #DeepFriedCrew, @RebTodd! You're in for an interesting summer!
      — Monday, May 20, 2013 3:57 PM
  28. NCStateFair: Looking forward to hosting the final day of the Valor Games on Thursday. Plan to come cheer on our wounded warriors! http://t.co/kbtWt31R2W
      — Monday, May 20, 2013 3:03 PM
  30. NCStateFair: RT @eeelishalynn: I spy a smiling competitor! http://t.co/kPHULokTHc @NCAgriculture @NCStateFair
      — Monday, May 20, 2013 2:53 PM
  32. NCStateFair: 5 months away! RT @wraloutandabout: Great pics from this weekend's Got to Be NC! We are kinda ready for the fair now! http://t.co/cUfr1dDihk
      — Monday, May 20, 2013 2:37 PM
  34. NCStateFair: We've got blue skies and beach music on the outdoor music stage at the #GottobeNC Festival.
      — Sunday, May 19, 2013 3:08 PM
  36. NCStateFair: Rain has forced us to cancel the lawnmower and garden tractor pull at the #GotToBeNCFestival. But there's still plenty to see and do.
      — Sunday, May 19, 2013 2:23 PM
  38. NCStateFair: The @transjambmx competition is going on in Dorton Arena with a park course, flatland and ramp contests. Check it out and stay dry!
      — Sunday, May 19, 2013 1:35 PM
  40. NCStateFair: Don't let the threat of rain keep you away from the fairgrounds today. There's plenty to do, so come on out! http://t.co/YnzyQipGD3
      — Sunday, May 19, 2013 10:36 AM
  42. NCStateFair: RT @jennix5: Stop by Dorton Arena and check out the classic cars at the Got to Be NC Festival at the @NCStateFair http://t.co/OO9qRTTScP
      — Friday, May 17, 2013 3:44 PM
  44. NCStateFair: The 2013 State Fair kicks off in 5 months, so we're hosting a party, @NCAgriculture-style! Come join us! http://t.co/rFCDkkMnGZ
      — Friday, May 17, 2013 11:22 AM
  46. wral_at_fair: New blog post: 2012 State Fair ends on a high note http://t.co/6RTC9l4p
      — Sunday, October 21, 2012 9:30 PM
  48. wral_at_fair: New blog post: Village of Yesteryear Adopts Future of Commerce http://t.co/S5njvjid
      — Saturday, October 20, 2012 9:33 AM
  50. wral_at_fair: ICYMI here's the recipe for that blue-ribbon pie: http://t.co/LlU2HYm8 #ncfair
      — Saturday, October 20, 2012 9:00 AM
  52. wral_at_fair: I like this idea! RT @maljr12 @wral let's put early voting polls at the state fair in 2016 #2birds1stone
      — Friday, October 19, 2012 3:38 PM
  54. wral_at_fair: New blog post: State Fair collects 213,000 cans of food for the hungry http://t.co/PwrJOfWZ
      — Friday, October 19, 2012 3:36 PM
  56. wral_at_fair: New blog post: Taste Test: Pumpkin Funnel Cake http://t.co/OefWVCxY
      — Friday, October 19, 2012 1:54 PM
  58. wral_at_fair: New blog post: New Contest Shows NC Goodness and Creativity Growing Together http://t.co/oEN2Vy7U
      — Friday, October 19, 2012 11:09 AM
  60. wral_at_fair: RT @ResearchBuzz Using the iPhone camera to make the most of the State Fair: http://t.co/LC7dyMBz
      — Friday, October 19, 2012 10:26 AM
  62. wral_at_fair: New blog post: Taste Test -- Philly Cheesesteak Eggroll http://t.co/CieLTi9M
      — Thursday, October 18, 2012 5:57 PM
  64. wral_at_fair: New blog post: iPhoning It In at the Fair http://t.co/4hwM5pZV
      — Thursday, October 18, 2012 2:00 PM
  66. wral_at_fair: New blog post: Really Angry Birds: Now with Guns http://t.co/h2TlSRJW
      — Wednesday, October 17, 2012 6:00 PM
  68. wral_at_fair: New blog post: Playing games at the NC State Fair http://t.co/Cd10mKDq
      — Tuesday, October 16, 2012 7:45 PM
  70. wral_at_fair: Great pic! RT @LaurieTMiller Enjoyed meeting @KenSmithTV from @wral Very nice guy. http://t.co/UFQ3Iwhm
      — Tuesday, October 16, 2012 7:08 PM
  72. wral_at_fair: Did you see Deb's sit-down with @ScottyMcCreery? http://t.co/oIR9WjUW
      — Tuesday, October 16, 2012 6:37 PM
  74. wral_at_fair: New blog post: Taste Test: Deep Fried Pumpkin Pie and Deep Fried Key Lime Pie http://t.co/MJZFS9Fa
      — Tuesday, October 16, 2012 6:27 PM
  76. wral_at_fair: We got your @scottymccreery right here: http://t.co/TZzmMJco
      — Monday, October 15, 2012 9:57 PM
  78. wral_at_fair: New blog post: Soggy and screaming, fans greet Scotty http://t.co/ZfIWOkog
      — Monday, October 15, 2012 9:48 PM
  80. wral_at_fair: Great to see you ! RT @ArapahoeNation The crew gave us a big How How! @wral http://t.co/J5lvk0JU
      — Monday, October 15, 2012 5:28 PM
  82. wral_at_fair: New blog post: Taste Test: Deep-Fried Girl Scout Cookies http://t.co/FdmtXd1A
      — Monday, October 15, 2012 5:00 AM
  84. wral_at_fair: New blog post: State Fair hopes to prevent E. coli outbreak http://t.co/XP2WKQmn
      — Sunday, October 14, 2012 4:45 PM

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