About Our Clients
We serve clients in Wake, Johnston and Franklin counties. Upon arriving at CPO and completing our short interview, our clients can receive a week’s worth of groceries every 30 days. Below are just a sampling of the diverse backgrounds of the clients that we have served.
Jenny
Jenny reluctantly visited CPO for the first time. She injured her knee and would not be able to work for a few months. She needed a steroid shot that cost her a $67 co-pay, then, medication that cost her another co-pay of $35. She cut the medication in half to make it last longer, but that $102 was her food budget for the month.
Pedro
Pedro is originally from Uruguay. He lived in New Jersey with his wife and 5 children for several years, until his wife died and he became a single dad (his youngest was only 3 years old). Pedro moved to North Carolina to live close to family and was looking for work, but in the meantime he became connected to a community of agencies including CPO who could help him.
Susan and Dan
Susan and her husband Dan had a 7-month-old baby boy. Both were working, paying bills and living the American dream, until Dan was injured at work. Worker’s compensation insurance help was taking quite some time, and Dan was unable to work due to his injury. Susan went to Wake Co. Human Services to sign up for WIC (federal Women, Infants, & Children program), and the doctor referred her to CPO for groceries, diapers, formula, and children’s clothing. This was their first visit to a food pantry, and Susan cried with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and relief.
Michael
Michael’s only transportation was his bicycle, so he rode it everywhere, including to CPO. He desperately needed groceries, but he knew it would be a challenge to get them home. Our volunteers worked with Michael making sure the food was packed and securely strapped to the bike for a safe trip home. He really wanted to include the watermelon; they even found a way to add it to his groceries.
Helen
Helen’s husband died suddenly of an aneurysm, leaving her a single mom with 2 small children and a mortgage she could not afford. Soon after his passing, she developed health problems and became physically unable to work. The family lost their home and moved in with Helen’s parents. Helen visited CPO and she shared that our contributions of food, clothing, love, and kindness made a big difference in their lives.
Verlanda
Verlanda was a single grandparent who had recently gained custody of her 16-year-old grandson. Shortly thereafter, she lost her job and needed help with groceries. While at our food pantry, Verlanda connected with our United Way Collaborative Sustaining the Family Table Coordinator. Through the program she was referred to Step Up Ministry and Dress for Success; two agencies who help with finding employment and professional clothing.
Within a few weeks, Verlanda found a job as a case manager in a non-profit organization. She was also connected to healthcare at Alliance Medical Ministry, and to the Boys & Girls Clubs for her grandson, so he could attend after-school programs. Through the work of the collaborative a family who came to us for food, left with so much more!