Democrats across the state turned out Saturday to help their communities during Community Service Day.
Rowan County Democrats conducted a food drive to benefit Rowan Helping Ministries. Nearly 1,000 pounds of food was delivered to the agency on Saturday.
Party activists, including N.C. Rep. Lorene Coates and Raymond Coltrain, a candidate for the Rowan County Board of Commissioners, delivered the food from several collection sites.
Rowan Helping Ministries was chosen as the recipient of these donations based on the outreach it provides to the community, a statement from the local Democratic organization said.
Last year, the agency served more than 38,000 people. An average of 60 families also comes to Rowan Helping Ministries each day seeking groceries, clothing, and financial assistance.
According to Walt Ryerson, food and facilities manager, the 1,000 pounds donated by the Democrats is about equal to the groceries that are given out daily and he expressed his appreciation for this assistance.
Dianne Scott, executive director of Rowan Helping Ministries, pointed out that a new food distribution and financial assistance center has opened in Mount Ulla at the old fire station to serve that part of the county and that volunteers are always needed to help with food preparation and distribution at both locations.