Hurricane Irene victims in Edgecombe County get fresh produce

The Inter-Faith Food Shuttle distributed fresh fruit and produce Tuesday to residents along the Interstate 95 corridor still cleaning up from Hurricane Irene.

The charity provided the food to residents in Edgecombe and Nash counties affected by the Category 1 storm. 

Food distribution was held from 3 - 5 p.m. at Heritage Park located at 122 U.S. Highway 258 Highway toward Scotland Neck. 

Valiesha Harrell, a mother of three from Conetoe, was among those who received food. 

"I just had my mobile home set up and the storm destroyed my underpinning and insulation," Harrell said. "My entire home was flooded." 

Harrell said the fresh vegetables and fruit and water was unexpected, but she was grateful for it. 

"Hopefully with the assistance of FEMA thing will get back to normal," Harrell said. 

Mary Higgs has lived in Edgecombe County for 25 years. 

"We lost everything in our refrigerator and freezer, lost most of our food," Higgs said. 

Last week, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle distributed 1,500 deli sandwiches and 13,083 pounds of food to hurricane victims during a free Mobile Market held at the First United Methodist Church in Rocky Mount. More than 800 people were served. 

The Inter-Faith Food Shuttle is still collecting food for Hurricane Irene victims across the state. 

Donations can be dropped off at 1001 Blair Drive in Raleigh from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday. 

Items most in need: 

• Fresh produce
• Dry goods - rice, beans, flour, sugar, grits, oatmeal
• 100 percent juice (large bottles or individual)
• Canned meats (tuna, chicken)
• Cereal
• Healthy snacks
• Water (jugs or bottles)

Find FEMA offices:

The map below lists tree, water and electrical impacts of Hurricane Irene in North Carolina. Click on the red cross for FEMA office locations and hours.

View Hurricane Irene damage reports in a larger map