Teaming Up To Address Food Insecurity in NC This Summer

You can assume that any event that includes “rama” in the title is going to have a frenetic atmosphere, and the annual Sort-a-Rama hunger relief effort is always heavy on the “rama.” Observed from a distance, Sort-a-Rama looks like a free-for-all: plastic scoops in blurred motion, bags filled and tied in a matter of seconds, heavy boxes lifted and stacked, all accompanied by a soundtrack of laughter – plenty of laughter.

But although Sort-a-Rama may look a bit chaotic, it’s actually a very organized and focused effort. Given the amount of work to be done in a relatively short time, it has to be.

Sort-a-Rama has become one of the largest corporate volunteer events in North Carolina to kick off the summer hunger programs of participating food banks. Each summer, during school breaks, thousands of children no longer receive free and reduced school meals. The summer hunger programs ensure families are fed even when school isn’t in session. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) is proud to sponsor events in the Triangle, Charlotte, and Fayetteville.

Meeting the need

Hunger deprives our kids of more than just food. A child’s chance for a bright tomorrow starts with getting enough food to eat today. North Carolina ranks as the 10th hungriest state in the nation and that means nearly 604,000 households are food insecure.

In the summer, thousands of children don’t have access to free or reduced lunch and that has an impact on their ability to thrive.

Sort-A-Rama is just one of the many ways Blue Cross NC is committed to addressing key drivers of health, like food insecurity in our state. With 1.6 million food insecure North Carolinians, reducing food insecurity is a top priority.

Through Sort-A-Rama, Blue Cross NC volunteers were proud to pack nearly 413,000 pounds of food to provide more than 382,000 meals to families in the Raleigh, Charlotte and Fayetteville area alongside many other top companies here in NC.