CORA Client Stories

Imagine being Lisa, a devoted mother of two happy young children. Lisa and her husband are hardworking and they stretch their limited budget each month to get by – until her husband gets injured, their car needs new tires, and their kids outgrew last year’s winter clothes. Suddenly the couple is facing every parent’s nightmare, knowing that their food will run out before they can afford to buy more.

We're telling you Lisa’s story because we know families like hers are close to your heart and you share CORA’s belief that no one in our community should be without adequate food.

Unfortunately, situations like hers are all too common among our neighbors in Chatham County. In fact, the need is growing sharply. 

CORA responded to 40% more requests for help last year and we expect the trend to continue. We must increase our impact in 2025, but we can’t do it without your help.

Gail / April 2025

It was a rainy day when Gail fled her abusive husband with her 3 year old son. She is staying at a friend's house, and is afraid to return to her waitressing job for fear that he will find her. She is grateful that the Pantry is a food resource when money runs short for household basics.  CORA Food Pantry needs your support more than ever to help people like Gail, as some funding for Food Banks and Federal food programs have been put on hold.  CORA is anticipating a budget shortfall, so anything you can contribute will help.

Jenny / March 2025

Hopefully the winter cold temps will rise in March, which will really help Jenny.  Her electricity was turned off for non-payment of bills after she lost her job as a security guard so she has no heat.  Social Services told her that they were out of funds to help pay heating bills, and her search for a new position has not gone well since employers are looking for someone younger.  She is also behind on her rent, so the Food Pantry has been a lifesaver.  CORA Food Pantry could not help people like Jenny without your support. Thanks!

Jason  / February 2025

CORA Food Pantry is a critical community resource for people like Jason.  He worked hard to recover from a back injury that caused him to collect Social Security Disability, and was proud that after years of effort  he was again able to support himself, but when he lost Medicare coverage he was faced with high medical bills. The Food Pantry is a real help for him as he struggles to pay his medical debt. CORA needs your help to provide food to our Chatham County neighbors. Every can of fruit can make a difference. Thanks for participating in PORCH!

Lisa / January 2025

Lisa and her husband are hardworking parents of two young children, doing their best to stretch a limited budget. But when her husband was injured, their car needed repairs, and their kids outgrew last year’s winter clothes, their carefully balanced finances crumbled. Like many families in Chatham County, they faced the heartbreaking reality of running out of food before they could afford more. Stories like Lisa’s are far too common, with CORA responding to 40% more requests for help last year. As we look to 2025, we need your support to meet the growing demand. Thank you for your generosity and continued partnership. Together, we’re making a real difference in building a community without hunger. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Charlie / December 2024

Happy Holidays!  While you are busy getting ready for celebrations, please take a moment to help people like Charlie to enjoy his. During a severe storm a tree fell on his car and he was unable to drive it. He and his family live paycheck to paycheck in rural Chatham County, and he could not immediately find a way to get to work, so he ran out of cash. He was very grateful that a neighbor gave him a ride to CORA Food Pantry so at least his family would not go hungry. CORA provides a critical service to Chatham County residents - they cannot do it without help. Please donate - you will help families like Charlie's  have a great holiday.

Joan / November 2024

The holiday season is almost here and CORA Food Pantry is expecting record breaking demand for food this year, based on the 20% increase in demand so far in 2024. Joan, who has to use the Pantry periodically, left a message that "we no longer have to choose between food and medicine. The kindness and respect we receive mean the world to us." . The Pantry really needs your support over the next couple of months to help people like joan. Even one box of Mac and Cheese can make a difference!

James / October 2024

Fall is around the corner and cooler weather is on its way. This will really help James, who often needs to use the Pantry when his electricity and food costs are high. He describes himself as land rich but cash poor, as he lives on his farm but was not able to grow crops this year due  to a back injury. He is not eligible for several government support programs because his land asset value is too high. CORA Food Pantry has had a surge in demand this year due to higher food prices and reductions in government aid programs. We are hoping that you can help them help our neighbors in need. Every can of beans can make a difference for people like James!

Lou & Sally / September 2024

Lou and Sally are in their mid 80's and tech ignorant - they don't even do email. They struggled with things like paying bills and responding to notifications as they became less mobile. Sally developed a serious illness and when Lou tried to pick up medication at the pharmacy he found out that her drug insurance had been cancelled. Lou had to pay the full price for her medications until things got straightened out, which left him short of money for food. Fortunately CORA Food Pantry was there to help. They could not do it without you. Thanks for your support!

Jim / August 2024

Jim was complaining that his family's $25 worth of food stamps was just not enough as he waited to select his food at the Pantry. Is he right? While food insecurity levels vary across the country, 80% of high food insecurity counties are in the South.12.6% of the Chatham County population suffered from food insecurity in 2022, and 40% of these people were not eligible for ANY Food Stamps. When an expense like car repair comes along, these people may not be able to buy the food they need, Pantries like CORA help fill this need. Thanks for your support!

Joan / July 2024

Joan is 82 and has lived on a farm in rural Chatham County all her life. Her husband Charley is 85 and has a long-term illness so that he is now bedridden and cannot be left alone. Joan was happy when CORA started their grocery delivery program for seniors because she now has one less thing to worry about when their $900 Social Security check does not cover all their bills. Your donations make this partnership program with DoorDash possible for free food home delivery, so thanks for your help!

Nancy / June 2024

June is here and school will soon be out for summer. This is a problem for Nancy, who has three children who get free breakfasts and lunches at school through a subsidy for low income students. Over 40% of Chatham County students are eligible for free and reduced lunches during the school year, and families like Nancy's really miss that support from mid-June through August, which is why CORA Food Pantry launched their SNACK! program in 2009 to provide food for these children during the summer months. Nancy is thankful for the support. CORA could not do this without donations from our Chatham Community, so thanks for your help!

Kate / May 2024

Kate is 81, and thought she would be able to work as a cashier for several more years. Her Social Security income is less than $1000 per month, so she needs the extra income. A back injury ruined this plan, and now she is grateful that the Pantry is available to help when she runs short of cash for food. Please help the Pantry support people like Kate. Every can of tuna can make a difference!

Willy / April 2024

Willy is happy that planting season is coming so that he can grow some vegetables for his two grandchildren. They had to move in with him last year when his daughter could no longer care for them, and he has been struggling to support them ever since. He used the Pantry for the first time this winter, was very relieved and grateful to have this option available. Thank you for helping CORA provide food for our Chatham County neighbors.

John / March 2024

Even during good economic times people can have bad things happen that make it hard for them to pay their bills. John is a senior citizen whose spouse is handicapped. He works as a cashier to supplement their social security income, but got COVID and is having a hard time getting back to work. He sometimes uses the Pantry for food when he runs out of cash before his next check arrives, and is very thankful that CORA is around. Your contribution to PORCH, no matter how small. helps make this possible, so thank you!

CORA's Outreach in Chatham County / February 2024

Chatham County is big geographically, and the western and southern sections are largely rural with higher poverty levels than in the Northeastern area. It is difficult for many residents there to get to Pittsboro to use the Pantry, so CORA has worked for many years to find ways to get food to them. They were so pleased when a local church in Siler City recently volunteered to set up a CORA satellite pantry, which is now open 2 Saturdays a month for food distribution. Your food donations help make this possible. Thanks for your help! By the way, Empty Bowls is back! This fundraising event will be held on March 2nd at Pittsboro United Methodist Church, so come and get a light meal of soup and sides donated by local restaurants as well a bowl donated by local potters. You can sign up on the CORA website corafoodpantry.org.

John & Carla / January 2024

Winter is here and it is getting cold outside! This is a problem for John and Carla, who met at community college and shared an apartment until a recent rise in rent forced them to move out. Neither have families that can help them out, so they are sleeping in Carla's car while they find an affordable apartment and save for a rental deposit. Both are determined to stay in school until they graduate, so they are so glad that they can get food from CORA to tide them over. They really like canned tuna and pineapple!. Thanks for helping CORA help our neighbors in need.

Charlie's Story / December 2023

The Holiday season is peaking and so is demand for CORA Food Pantry's services. Both food and cash donations have been declining, which has put stress on the Pantry's ability to help people like Charlie, who was struggling and so glad to hear about the pantry!  He was diagnosed with Parkinsons several years ago and his wife divorced him, which cut his household income by more than half.  He recently had to stop working at his full time job as he couldn't do the physical work anymore, and his disability payments aren't always enough to cover medical bills.  Please help CORA provide food for people like Charlie.  The Pantry really needs your help! Thanks.

Jim's Story / November 2023

The holiday season is fast approaching, and it can be a time of financial stress for many people who are just getting by. It is also the period of highest demand for CORA Food Pantry services. Jim is someone who never expected to need help, but then his wife broke her leg, which required surgery, so she couldn't work, and she does not have health insurance. He is optimistic about the future, and plans to volunteer at the Pantry once he gets back on his feet financially. Your food donations to the Pantry really make a difference in CORA's ability to help people like Jim. Happy holidays to you all, and thanks for your support!.

Laura's Story / October 2023

Fall is here and CORA is open for individual food selection in their expanded space after a long pause during COVID. One of the new Pantry spaces is a quiet room where distraught people who have come for help with food can wait their turn rather than sit in the public room. This is appreciated by people like Laura, who recently lost her house and belongings to fire, and Charlie, who was overwhelmed with shame for having to seek food assistance for his family. With your support CORA can provide services for people who are going through bad times. Thanks for your help.

Jenny's Story / September 2023

There are older homes in rural Chatham County that do not have running water and /or electricity. Jenny lives with family members in their old farm house with no running water, so she knows what it is like to struggle during these very hot periods. Bottled water prices are increasing as her consumption rises, so Jenny is thankful that CORA is there to help cover food costs. Donated food makes up 42% of the Pantry's income, so they could not do this without your help.

Mike's Story / August 2023

After several years of COVID contact restrictions and building renovations CORA Food Pantry is now open for choice shopping for Pantry clients. This means that Pantry visitors can choose the food items they need rather than receive pre bagged groceries, which is important for people like Mike, who has serious digestive tract  problems which limit what he can eat as well as how much he can work. He has felt badly about the food he received in the past but could not use, and is relieved that this food will now go to others who really need it. Thanks for your help which has made this possible!

Mike's Story / June 2023

Daily life can be a challenge for many people, including Mike. He is mildly developmentally impaired, and is struggling to manage his life after losing his mother late last year. He recently lost his Medicaid coverage because he did not file the proper paperwork on time, but neighbors are helping him to reapply, and also directed him to CORA Food Pantry to help out while he gets back on his feet.. Thanks for supporting CORA in their efforts to provide food for people like Mike.

Ginny's Story / May 2023

Ginny, a grandmother as well as mother of a two year old, is happy to get a break from school. She has always wanted to be a teacher, but life intervened. She is determined to get her degree, but money is a struggle. and she is thankful that CORA Food Pantry is there to help when she runs short. CORA could not help people like Ginny without your support. Thank you! 

Nancy's Story / April 2023

We are all looking forward to a warm spring, including Nancy, who had to leave her waitressing job to care for her husband, who is bedridden and not expected to recover. She is receiving food stamps, but the benefits were reduced at the end of February and she is now struggling to put food on the table, which is adding more stress to an already difficult situation. We are glad that the Pantry is there when she needs it. CORA could not do this without contributions from people like you. Almost half of the food that the Pantry distributes comes from in kind donations, so your support is really making a difference for people like Nancy. Thank you!

Jim's Story / March 2023

Jim is a Chatham County resident with a problem. He lives in a mobile home in a rural area and his car had broken down. He was struggling to put together the money to fix it, but thanks to CORA food pantry he did not have to choose between meals and car repairs. He paid CORA back by donating as soon as he recovered financially. CORA has started a delivery program that delivers food to those whose physical difficulties, disabilities, medical conditions, or other barriers prevent them from coming to CORA. This would have been a great help for Jim, and the Pantry could not provide these services without your help. Every can of food makes a positive difference in someone's life! Thanks.

Louisa's Story / February 2023

Louisa is struggling to feed her 3 teenage boys and pay her heating bills on her house cleaner income. She says the boys are hungry all the time, so she is grateful for the monthly Mobile Market that CORA runs in Nature Trail Mobile Home Park. The money it saves them in gas and food purchases can mean the difference between being able to pay their heating bill or buying a warm winter coat.

Sue's Story / September 2022

Hunger can be experienced differently depending upon a family’s unique circumstances. Hunger isn’t always a dire situation in which families have nothing to eat, but instead can often be seen in the subtle choices a family must make.

Before the impact of COVID-19, Sue worked in corporate travel for thirty years. Due to the economic fallout from the pandemic, she—like millions of people across the country—was laid off. Having recently moved to Pittsboro and having more time on her hands, Sue explored ways to become connected to her new community. Ultimately, she found a place of belonging at Chatham Community Church, where she was introduced to CORA through their service and mission work. In summer 2020, Sue volunteered for our SNACK! program and dedicated many hot and sweaty afternoons packing boxes of food for hungry children. Following the summer, Sue also dedicated many volunteer hours at the Pantry sorting food donations and packing bags for families.

In September 2020, Sue received word that her position had been permanently eliminated. Sue and her husband fared okay and cut back on spending like many in their shoes during the pandemic. However, slowly the stress and reality of their situation sank in. They didn’t qualify for public assistance, and their limited incomes were not stretching as far as they needed. Even while working various part-time jobs, they realized they needed some help putting food on the table. “At first, the thought of asking for help was overwhelming, but CORA is such a welcoming place that my reservations quickly dissolved.” Sue recently shared, “We just love what you all stand for. There is no judgment, and you aim to lift people up rather than knocking them down.”

Like many who visit CORA, Sue found a sense of community along with the help she needed. Nutritious food, community connection, and unconditional support amid a devastating time of unemployment and uncertainty. Today, she is back working full-time in the travel industry and looks forward to volunteering again soon. “I hope that telling my story of being on both sides of CORA might help someone in Chatham County who might be hesitant, as I was, to ask for help. Be assured that every person you encounter at CORA is compassionate, positive, and there to help.”