Nonprofit battling food insecurity in Wayne County hands out thousands of meal boxes every week

Even with stimulus bills from Congress, many still need help from their neighbors.

Sam Lewis comes every Monday to load up his Chevy High Country.

"The reason I come is, I know there are a lot of people out there that don't have a way here, so I just pick up boxes and go back to my community and give them away," said Lewis.

Greg and Cassandra Quick are the founders of the nonprofit Three in One Family Center. Every Monday, the Quicks and volunteers hand out 3,000 boxes of pre-cooked chicken, vegetables and milk.

The nonprofit partners with the USDA and the North Carolina Food Bank to give the boxes away. On average, 800 to 900 cars come.

"It says there's a huge need in the community," said Greg Quick.

While politicians can pass bills giving $1,400 stimulus checks, Greg Quick said the checks don't bring healthy balance to a community.

"It's not going change that," he said. "That $1,400 is going to help some people pay bills that they need to pay: rent, lights and things like that. But food is still going to be an insecurity."

The food giveaway program started last June at the Maxwell Convention Center, but long lines caused traffic concerns for nearby hospitals. Now, the group gives out food next to the Wayne Correction Center.

Every car is a window into someone's life.

"I recently lost my job in the past three to four weeks, and I lost my insurance benefits. I thought, 'I've never done this before.' I've always left it to people who needed it, but this time I needed it," said Rhonda Stroud.

"I am picking up for some neighbors. They are two widows ... anything to help them stretch things," said Erma Jones.

The line is always long at the nonprofit's food giveaway.

"I want to do what I can to help others because that's what it's all about," said Greg Quick.

The Three In One food distribution site is open every Monday beginning at 10 a.m. at the Wayne Correctional Center in Goldsboro. It has another giveaway every Thursday at the Expo Center in Clinton.