Bring your donations of non-perishable food items to the school commons area (by the front door), the Ocracoke Library, or the box at the Variety Store. The donations will go to local food banks for distribution on Hatteras and mainland Hyde County. These food pantries are also available to Ocracoke families in need.

You can also bring food items to the Holiday basketball tournament at Ocracoke School on the 14th and 15th. Three teams will be competing with our boys varsity team for the tournament champion title. They’ll also compete to see which school will bring the most food drive donations.

There's also a competition among the classrooms at Ocracoke School to see who can bring in the most food donations – the winning class will earn a pizza party at Jason’s Restaurant in the new year!

The following is a press release from the Hatteras Island Food pantry about the need for donations this winter. 

Hatteras Island Food Pantry Needs Donations

The 19th Annual Island-wide Food Drive to stock the shelves of the Hatteras Island Food Pantry needs your support.  This is the largest of any of the food drives that take place on the island and will continue through December 31. 

Housed at the United Methodist Church in Buxton, the Hatteras Island Food Pantry is a non-profit, non-denominational community outreach that serves all seven villages.  It is the only food pantry on the island that is recognized by Dare County Department of Social Services.

Hurricane Sandy brought an early end to Hatteras Island's fall shoulder season.  As a result, many more residents than usual have have been laid off much sooner than expected. 

Walton Fulcher, coordinator of the food pantry, thanks all those who've contributed to the food pantry in the past and asks for continued help: "Without it, the pantry will not be able to get through the winter months, the period of greatest need."  

One hundred percent of all donations (whether food or money) goes to help Hatteras residents.  "None is used to pay administrative expenses or executive salaries", says Fulcher. 

There are several convenient locations this year, at least one per village, where food donations for the pantry can be dropped off:

1. Hatteras Realty in Hatteras Village and Avon (Daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
2. Our Lady of the Seas Catholic Parish Hall in Buxton (24-hr. drop-off box on porch)
3. Frisco Shopping Center in Frisco (Daily 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.)
4. Outer Beaches Realty in Hatteras Village, Avon, and Waves ( Daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
5. Surf-or-Sound Realty in Avon (Daily 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 a.m.)
6. Blue Whale in Salvo (Daily 6:30 a.m. -  8 p.m. through Nov. 22)
7. Red & White Grocery in Hatteras Village (Daily 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.)
8. Midgett Realty in Hatteras, Avon, and Rodanthe (Daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.)

Food-drive organizer, Linda Browning, advises contributors who might drop off food at collection points other than those listed above to ask the establishments whether or not the food is for the Hatteras Island Food Pantry.  Sometimes there are other drives in progress that may be for off-island food pantries.

When you're shopping for food to donate, try to buy "complete meals".   If you buy spaghetti, pick up some spaghetti sauce and some grated cheese, too.  If you buy cereal, grab a box of non-fat dry milk and a bag of sugar.  Also, consider donating personal care products and cleaning supplies.  These run out very quickly.  Don't forget dog food, cat food, and kitty litter, too! 

Here's a shopping list that will assist you in selecting the items that usually are in highest demand:

spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, grated cheese, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, non-fat dry milk, sugar, cooking oil, pancake mix, pancake syrup, flour, biscuit mix, shortening, salt and pepper, canned meats, canned tuna, shampoo, shaving cream, bath soap, deodorant, toothpaste, dish detergent (for hand washing), laundry supplies, dog food, cat food, kitty litter.

Please donate only unopened foods and those that have not gone past their expiration dates. Food that is no longer "in date" may not be safe to eat. 

If you do not have time to shop or if you live off island, please consider making a monetary donation.  It's tax deductible.  Checks should be written to United Methodist Men and mailed to Hatteras Island Food Pantry, PO Box 1591, Buxton, NC 27920.

For more information about the on-going needs of the Hatteras Island Food Pantry, please contact Linda Browning at (252) 995-3662.