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Crowds prompt drive-thru grocery giveaway at PNC Arena to open early

On Tuesday, 1,000 local families struggling to make ends meet will be gifted free groceries, household supplies, baby items and more.

Posted Updated

By
Jessica Patrick
, WRAL multiplatform producer
RALEIGH, N.C. — On Tuesday, 1,000 local families struggling to make ends meet were gifted free groceries, household supplies, baby items and more.
"The Big Pop Up" event, held at PNC Arena, is sponsored by the North Carolina Community Action Association, which works to improve living conditions and help families overcome financial hardships.

Families will stay in their cars and pop their trunks so volunteers can safely distribute items. The event opened one hour early and will continue until 2 p.m. or until supplies run out. The event is open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.

Families will be able to drive their cars through various stations in front of PNC Arena to get the items they need most.

“While the pandemic has taken a toll on virtually everyone, NCCAA is grateful to offer support to some of our most vulnerable families,” said NCCAA Executive Director Sharon C. Goodson. “Families are really hurting and have endured numerous unforeseen challenges because of the pandemic. It is our hope that this event will provide some measure of relief to those most impacted.”

The event is made possible through volunteers and donations from the public and various sponsors, including PNC Arena, Duke Energy, PNC Bank, Carolina Complete Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield, AmeriHealth Caritas, Northwest Woolen Mills, WRAL-FM, the Community Success Initiative, Good360, the Office of Economic Opportunity and the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.

According to the NCCAA, similar events will be held later this year in the Statesville, Edenton and Waynesville areas.

People who would like to volunteer with the NCCAA can register to do so through Activate Good. People can make donations by visiting the NCCAA website or by calling 919-790-5757.

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