Durham church food pantry meets greater need to fight hunger

A Durham church community is receiving a lot of attention. Not just for delivering Sunday services, but for it's food ministry that has car lines wrapped around the corner.

Posted 10:06 p.m. May 12, 2020 — Updated 10:09 p.m. May 12, 2020

Lora Lavigne

, WRAL Durham reporter

DURHAM, N.C. — A Durham church community is receiving a lot of attention, not just for delivering Sunday services but for it’s food ministry that has car lines wrapped around the corner.

Behind the scenes of the Iglesia Presbyterian Emmanuel food pantry is dozens of volunteers hard at work. Every Tuesday, donated food is dropped off, hundreds of pounds, bagged and prepared for distribution.

For pastor Julio Rameriz and his wife Martha, it’s become a typical Wednesday when they distribute food. There's a greater need since the coronavirus outbreak and now the pantry is on a first-come first serve basis.

“From 60 families a week, we’re up to over 350 a week for the last few weeks with no end in sight," Martha Rameriz said.

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People line up hours ahead of the pick-up time on Roxboro Road and, within an hour-and a half, the food is gone. Longtime volunteer Joe Cameron said since the pantry’s establishment 10 years ago, he’s never seen anything like this.

“I had no idea it would be that many people coming. You start off with something so small and it just grew," he said.

This is all done on a stretched church budget. Local ministries, businesses, the farmer’s market and other food pantries are donating food, money and time to fulfill the demand.

“Neighbors from around the block will come out and bring us food, different donations. They’ll come out and help direct traffic.," said Rose Rameriz, who is home from college and helping her family with the church pantry

"You just really see a sense of community, different churches, people of different languages. It makes you feel hopeful for what’s to come after this," she added.

Distribution begins at 2 p.m. on Wednesdays. Anyone can drop off items of donation to 2504 N Roxboro St.

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