BY REBEKAH MANN
Staff Writer
For 40 years, the Sandhills/Moore Coalition for Human Care has aspired to foster pathways toward long-term stability through community partnership. In September, the Coalition gained ownership of the Mo-Co Community “Freedge,” further expanding its reach and collaborative efforts with Moore County’s population.
The “take what you need, leave what you can” resource was previously founded and maintained by siblings Nathan and Mallory Gaddy. The Freedge has been located at the Coalition’s resale shop campus on West Pennsylvania Avenue since its founding in 2023.
The Freedge’s primary purpose is to provide food to people seeking assistance, but the Coalition does not monitor the frequency of visits to the Freedge or have a quantity limit on how much one visitor can receive. Individuals’ needs are also not determined by the organization in order to have access to the resource.
Amanda Tutt, director of strategic development for the Coalition, confirmed the Freedge is filled and emptied numerous times a day. On top of donations from the community, the Coalition also contributes items to the Freedge.
“The Freedge is empty more frequently than we’d like, but we never know the circumstances of people who need to take food out of it,” she said.
For a number of residents, Tutt added that the ability to receive assistance through an informal situation like the Freedge is more comfortable than seeking public, face-to-face service.
Foods eligible for donation include fresh produce, dairy products, juice, water, ready-to-eat foods and deli items, along with snacks and shelf-stable foods.
All donated food must be properly sealed and placed inside the refrigerator. For food safety reasons, items left outside will be discarded. The Coalition has asked the community to refrain from donating opened or expired food, raw meat or seafood, and alcohol or medications.
With the holidays approaching, Tutt said there is an added call for items like canned sweet potatoes, canned cranberries and stuffing mix, but any donation is appreciated regardless of season.
“Hunger doesn’t have a season — people are hungry year-round,” Tutt said. “We’re so lucky that people are so generous at the holidays, but we are always considering the year-round needs of our community.”
Beyond the Freedge donations, the Coalition’s resale shops also accept donations of clean and gently used clothing, furniture and household goods during designated drop off hours. All funds from purchases at the store directly support the Coalition’s food assistance and other stability programs.
For more information about the Coalition, including ways to volunteer or donate, visit www.sandhillscoalition.org/contact.
Contact Rebekah Mann at (910) 693-2479 or rebekah@thepilot.com.
