Lake Norman Publications

Hornets foundation supports Angels; Trane gives to Davidson nonprofit


Charlotte Hornets mascot Hugo joins an employee at Angels and Sparrows in Huntersville Tuesday. /Charlotte Hornets Foundation

The Charlotte Hornets Foundation announced Tuesday that it has donated $25,000 to the Angels & Sparrows Community Table and Resource Center as its annual Hunger Grant.

The donation was made to help the Huntersville-based organization purchase a new convection oven, induction range and ice maker for its year-round community kitchen, which serves over 450 marginalized families in north Mecklenburg County. Angels and Sparrows provides undeserved families access to food security and educational opportunities that lead to a fresh start.

During a special event held Tuesday in advance of its lunch service, Angels & Sparrows “revealed” the Charlotte Hornets Foundation as the mystery donor of the upgraded kitchen appliances, which were installed in November. Hugo the mascot and the Honey Bees dance team were in attendance.

“Angels & Sparrows is an incredible organization that fosters hope for so many within our community,” said Hornets President and Vice Chairman Fred Whitfield. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to help Angels & Sparrows upgrade the appliances in their kitchen, which we hope will enable them to serve even more people who are facing hunger for years to come.”

Angels & Sparrows new center, program offers ‘Pathway’ to success

In addition to providing more than 1.5 million meals through its dining room and marketplace, Angels & Sparrows offers an emergency food pantry and a Summer Bag Lunch Program that serves students at risk of going hungry when school is not in session.

“We are thankful for the generous donation from the Charlotte Hornets Foundation,” said Angels & Sparrows Executive Director Jessika Tucker. “Angels & Sparrows is much more than just a food kitchen; sharing a meal is the cornerstone of community, empowering individuals to look to the future for a path forward once their body and soul are nourished. This new equipment enables us to provide more meals, more connections and more hope to our underserved neighbors in north Mecklenburg County.”

Members of the Honey Bees dance team pay an Angels and Sparrows client a visit.

Trane supports Ada Jenkins’ healthy living program

DAVIDSON – Trane Technologies is continuing its trend of community support, joining forces with the Ada Jenkins Center to provide community education around food choices, improving personal nutrition and health. As part of its Healthy Initiatives program, Trane has awarded two years of funding to support the Ada Jenkins Center’s “Sustaining a Healthy Lifestyle” program, specifically for local seniors and children.

“We can’t begin to say ‘thanks’ enough to our longtime friends at Trane Technologies,” Ada Jenkins Chief Executive Officer Harold E. Rice Jr. said. “They go above-and-beyond, whether volunteering here on campus, recruiting Trane team members for Ada Jenkins Center fundraising events, or providing generous grant funding for our programs.”  

Ada Jenkins reports that the North Mecklenburg area of Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville is underserved and nearly 1-in-20 people earn incomes less than the federal poverty level and have limited access to social service programs.

In addition, COVID disproportionately affected senior citizens, many of whom live on fixed incomes hovering at or below the poverty level. Transportation is a regular obstacle, as is physical health and mobility. The growing costs and ability to access healthy foods are leading to increased rates of physical health problems related to diet.  

At the same time, children are completely dependent upon the adults around them to provide them the basic needs of life: food, clothing, shelter.

The children in Ada Jenkins Center’s LEARN Works after school program have been identified as in particular need related to their lifestyle and family earnings. Lack of safe housing, a steady food supply, transportation and adult support at home all contribute to low academic performance. Many of these children live in single-parent households or with aging grandparents where food reliability is often questionable.

“This program is a perfect extension of our community impact work,” Deidra Parish Williams, director of Citizenship, Community Engagement and the Trane Technologies Foundation. “Filling bellies with good, nutritious food is imperative to community sustainability and as a neighbor in the Davidson community, our team is looking forward to building a meaningful relationship in this work.”

The Ada Jenkins program will include nutrition classes and demonstrations for people 55 and older, as well as classes for children – and their parents – with health issues and other issues that make food security questionable within the household. Participants in each class will receive a meal kit “to-go,” filled with ingredients to make healthier meals at home. Additional support for this program is provided by Mecklenburg County and the Town of Davidson.

In a related matter, Ada Jenkins Center announced plans to expand hours for its Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry. The pantry is now open every Wednesday and Thursday from 12:30-2:30 p.m., as well as the second Saturday of each month. Families must call in advance for a referral, 704-523-4333.

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