Local Kisco Senior Living communities have donated food for an estimated 2,000 meals to a relief project in an effort to provide hot meals to children and families in need while Wake County schools are closed. The meals will be prepared by local volunteer chefs. Local Chefs 4 Kids, in coordination through Bridge The Gap Mission and Carolina Cares, has been in contact with Wake County schools to target those most in need and bridge the gap for families who cannot reach the school food access sites. Recent estimates show the project is now serving over 1,200 meals a day. 

With school systems closed and people urged to stay indoors, a challenge is placed on some families to provide for their children without the usual assistance such as school lunches. An opportunity was presented to Bridge The Gap Mission, an organization serving disadvantaged families, by local food trucks in Wake County. “Local Chefs 4 Kids” would serve hot meals curbside in neighborhoods if the Mission could identify those most in need and manage donations. Current projections include 150 families of 4-8 family members to be provided with food and supplies once per week thanks to food donations from companies like Kisco Senior Living.

Bridge The Gap Mission, Carolina Cares, local chefs from restaurants, bakeries, and food trucks, Wake County schools, and Kisco Senior Living are working in tandem to draw in urgent food donations for hot meals and pantry-stocking kits. In less than a week, their efforts have resulted in the ability to start mobile serving on Tuesday, March 17, bridging the gap for families who cannot reach the school food access sites. A donation from local Kisco Senior Living communities provided enough food to serve an estimated 2,000 children in the coming days. Kisco’s Raleigh-area communities – Magnolia Glen, Abbotswood at Stonehenge, and The Cardinal at North Hills – feel that this partnership is more than necessary. “During this unprecedented time, we are doing our part to help our local community. We couldn’t think of a better way than having the most vulnerable population protecting the future generation,” says David Sexton, executive director of Abbotswood at Stonehenge.

 These community partners are continuing to accept both in-kind and monetary donations for food, pantry supplies, toiletries, and cleaning supplies. For more information on in-kind donations of food and supplies, contact the Bridge The Gap Mission (@bridgethegapmissionNC) by calling 919-322-0014. Current needs include: nonperishable and dry foods, diapers and baby wipes, and more. Find information on pick-up locations and times for able families on the Wake County Public School System website here. Local families and individuals can apply to receive meals or supplies by submitting this Google Form. Those who want to volunteer with food security can submit this Google Form.