What is NCFST?
The Northern Community Food Security Team (NCFST) is a network of partners and community members who are passionate about eliminating food insecurity in Northern Wake County. The NCFST also serves as a collaborative hub where volunteers and local organizations assemble to discuss and develop strategies to fight hunger in Northern Wake County with a special emphasis on areas in and around Wake Forest and Rolesville. Relationships established by NCFST are critical for securing and communicating the availability of needed resources.
NCFST Overview
In February 2018, the Wake Forest Board of Commissioners endorsed Wake County’s Comprehensive Food Security Plan making the Town the first in Wake County to join our area’s local food council, the Capital Area Food Network (CAFN). The plan is designed to move the county towards strategies that address hunger now and in the future.
The Northern Community Food Security Team (NCFST), a 501(c) (1) organization, was created to develop and launch a viable food security plan for northern Wake County that aligns with the CAFN plan. The Wake Forest Board of Commissioners charged NCFST with enlisting community members, food security organizations, resource experts, and other stakeholders to develop activities, policies, and partnerships that will move the county towards food security and a sustainable food future.
Upcoming Events
Mobile Market by Ripe for Revival
2nd & 4th Thursday (Jan - Oct) | 1st & 3rd Thursday (Nov & Dec) | 3-4:30 pm (Rain or Shine) | 350 E. Holding Ave.
The Northern Community Food Security Team (NCFST) is partnering with Ripe for Revival to offer a mobile grocery store on the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 3-4:30 p.m. across from the Northern Regional Center, 350 E. Holding Ave. Offering fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy from local and regional farmers on a pay-what-you-can scale, the Ripe for Revival Mobile Market made its inaugural debut in September 2023. Donate to the Mobile Market
Ripe for Revival utilizes its network of farmer and food industry relationships to narrow the gap between farm excess and food access. The company purchases “retired” city or school buses, renovates them to include refrigerators and freezers, and transforms them into Mobile Markets that can drive into communities impacted by food insecurity. Rain or Shine, however, may be rescheduled due to severe weather.
Wake Forest Mini-Pantry Program Expands to Meet Growing Need
The Town of Wake Forest’s mini-pantry program continues to grow in response to increasing community need. Through partnerships with Tri-Area Ministry and Ripe Revival, we now receive non-perishable donations twice a month, supplemented by canned food drives and regular contributions. Town staff currently stock the pantry twice weekly to ensure consistent access.
Facilities recently completed a brand-new mini pantry, which will be installed this week at the Hope House property. It replaces the original pantry—weathered from years of service—that has long been a trusted resource for neighbors in need.
We invite everyone in the community to contribute unopened, non-perishable canned food items meant to be shared. We sincerely appreciate your efforts in keeping the box well-organized. By joining forces, we can make a meaningful difference—ensuring no one goes hungry, especially during challenging times.
Whether you’re donating or receiving, the message remains the same: “Take what you need, leave what you can.”
Donation Guidelines
To help us maintain a safe and organized pantry, please follow these simple guidelines:
- Only donate canned goods—please avoid glass containers.
- Please do not leave items outside the pantry unattended.
- All food must be unopened and in good condition.
- No perishable items such as fresh produce, dairy, or frozen foods.
- Place donations inside the pantry, behind the closed doors.
Your thoughtful contributions help ensure this resource remains clean, accessible, and welcoming for everyone. Thank you for supporting your neighbors!
Mini-Pantry Locations:
- Hope House
334 North Allen Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587 - Northern Regional Center
350 East Holding Avenue, Wake Forest, NC 27587
Holiday Food Drive
Rolesville has joined the Northern Community Food Security Team (NCFST) to support families in need this holiday season. We are collecting both food and monetary donations to ensure every household can enjoy a warm holiday meal.
Donation Window: November 10 – December 15, 2025
Distribution Day: December 17, 2025
Food Donations Needed
- 1 Box of Stuffing
- 1 Box of Mashed Potatoes
- 1 Large Can of Yams
- 2 Cans of Green Beans
- 1 Can of Cream of Mushroom Soup
- 1 Box of Fried Onions
Monetary Donations can be made to The Downtown Rolesville Farmers Market via their PayPal Link
Drop-off Locations
- Rolesville Town Hall – 502 Southtown Cir., Rolesville, NC 27571
- The Downtown Rolesville Farmers Market – Cobblestone Village
- ARISE Coworking Community – 300 Southtown Cir., Rolesville, NC 27571
Together, we can make the holidays brighter for families in our community.
Wake Forest Cares
The Northern Community Food Security Team is a Wake Forest Cares initiative. Take a look at the WF Cares Holiday Kick-off Highlights video.
Community Connections Garden
Inviting all interested volunteers to the Community Connections Garden! Join us at the Wake Forest Baptist Church Community Connections Garden on Saturdays and Wednesday's during harvest season. 10:00 am. Please feel free to share it with anyone you think might be interested. We will share information regarding the construction of our garden pavilion. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact gene.cross@icloud.com.
NECC Community Garden & Gathering Space - Volunteer Sign-Up
Join us in making a difference at the NECC Community Garden & Gathering Space! We're inviting everyone to sign up and volunteer.
Volunteers are the heart of our community garden, located at 504 N. Taylor St. in the northeast. Your help is crucial in making this project a success. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a newcomer, we encourage you to bring your friends and neighbors to join in.
Feel free to share this with your friends and networks—everyone is welcome! All dates for the remainder of the year are available.
Visit the Northeast Community Coalition (NECC) website to learn more and sign up. The NECC Leadership Team consist of community residents and partners in the coalition. Please email
necccoalition@gmail.com for more information.
In the News
WFPD Turkey Drive
Every fall the Wake Forest Police Department begins accepting monetary donations as part of its annual Turkey Drive. Several weeks later, the department schedules a day for residents to drop off frozen turkeys at the Police Department.
The police department's first Turkey Drive was organized in 2007. Since then - thanks to our community's incredible generosity - the department has distributed nearly 10,000 turkeys to needy families in our area, including over 800 last year.
Wake County Food Finder
Update from our partner Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry
Donations Needed! Donations are gratefully accepted at the pantry during open hours: Mondays and Wednesdays and the second and third Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Can't make it to the TAM office on Monday or Wednesday? Our partners in the community offer donation bins where we can accept your non-perishable food items. For alternative drop off locations, click here.
Other Initiatives
2026 Easter Food Box Distribution
The partnership between NCFST & Ripe for Revival is honored to serve your community this Easter by providing free food boxes for distribution. More details are forthcoming.
2026 Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive in Wake Forest
Stamp Out Hunger 2026: Wake Forest Rallies to Feed Neighbors
On Saturday, May 9, 2026, Wake Forest residents will join millions across the nation in the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, the country’s largest one-day food collection effort organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC).
This year, Wake Forest’s participation carries special meaning. With federal food aid cuts scheduled to take effect in 2026, many families in North Carolina are bracing for increased challenges in putting meals on the table. Local organizations are stepping up to ensure donations collected during Stamp Out Hunger directly support food pantries and community partners in Northern Wake County.
How It Works
- Residents leave non-perishable food items by their mailbox on the morning of May 9, 2026.
- Letter carriers collect donations during their regular routes.
- Food is delivered to local partner Tri Area Ministry: the area’s largest food pantry, serving thousands of families each month.
Why It Matters
- Largest one-day food drive in the U.S.: Millions of pounds of food are collected nationwide each year.
- Local impact: Donations in Wake Forest help stock shelves at Tri Area Ministry:
- Community resilience: With SNAP benefits facing cuts, grassroots efforts like this are critical to fighting hunger.
Get Involved
Residents are encouraged to:
- Fill a bag with non-perishable food items (canned goods, pasta, rice, cereal).
- Leave it by your mailbox on May 9.
- Spread the word to neighbors, schools, and community groups.
Together, Wake Forest can show that when the community comes together, hunger doesn’t stand a chance.
Volunteers are needed to make the NECC Community Garden, 504 N. Taylor St., a success. Please encourage your friends and neighbors to volunteer! Visit the Northeast Community Coalition website to learn more.
Garden hours: Thursdays, 11 am-3 pm
Volunteer days: First and third Saturdays of each month
Facebook: /wfnecc
Instagram: @necccoalition
Wake Forest Community Table - Meals are served Mondays at Hope House from 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. and Wednesdays at Olive Branch Baptist Church from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
They offer take home meals, casseroles, produce and groceries. Volunteers may sign up to help serve.
For more information or to make a donation, contact Joy Shillingburg.
These short videos were created to show the need to address senior hunger in our community.
The NCFST partners with local organizations to offer several volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Volunteers are needed for a variety of activities and initiatives.
NCFST Volunteer Registration Form
Other volunteer opportunities are highlighted below.
Community Gardens
Volunteer at a growing number of gardens. For more information on the Wake Forest Baptist Church's Community Connections Garden contact Gene Cross, the Wake Forest Presbyterian Church Community Garden contact Melanie Floyd or the Spring Street Garden contact Tilde Caudle.
Local Food Programs
Volunteer to sort and distribute food at Tri-Area Ministry (TAM), Hope House, Back Pack Buddies, St. Catherine's of Siena, Richland Creek and other area organizations. Have extra produce you're your garden? Donate it to local pantries! For more information, contact Andrew Brown, Jr.
Wake Forest Area Hunger Ministry
The Wake Forest Area Hunger Ministry is a coalition of churches, civic organizations and service groups building a community-wide Hunger Ministry for North East Wake County and Youngsville. Volunteers are needed for a variety of activities and initiatives. For more information, email George Shaw or call 919-761-5295.
First Fruits Farms - Servant Center & Community Garden
Volunteer to serve your community by helping us at First Fruit Farms. Regular volunteer hours on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9-11 am. 1950 E. River Road, Louisburg, NC.
Gleaning
Harvest and bag sweet potatoes, corn and other crops on farms that donate produce for charity near Wake Forest during October for Yam Jam as well as all year around. The Society of St. Andrew coordinates these events. For more information, contact Dave Eaton.
Raleigh Food Bank
Sort anything from canned goods to frozen meet and veggies at the regional food bank. Generally 2nd Thursday of each month from 1-3 pm and once a quarter from 6-8 pm on Wednesday evening. For more information, contact Dennis Beemer at 630-319-1155.
NCFST & Ripe Revival Easter Food Boxes giveaway to the first 50 families that registered
The Northern Community Food Security Team (NCFST) and Ripe Revival are helping to provide Easter dinner for 50 local families by giving each a free box of food.
Volunteer Recruitment
Established an online volunteer registration form to help recruit volunteers for the various programs.
Hope House
The Hope House feeds the community every Thursday. NCFST assists with picking up food from Raleigh and delivering/sorting at the HOPE House several times per month.
CROP Walk
Each year we support the efforts of the CROP Walk for Hunger
Food HUB
For approximately 2 years the NCFST operated a remote Food Hub to assist about 15 local food pantries. Weekly, we provided fresh produce, shelf stable goods and on occasion meat & dairy. This was possible through the CAFN ARPA funding program.
Weekend Meals Program
In partnership with the WCPSS lunch/breakfast drive by pick up, we have partnered with several local non-profits to assist with food bags/boxes of shelf stable non-perishable items.
Town of Wake Forest donated pickup truck
The Town donated a truck to help deliver food and help with gleaning efforts.
Rise Against Hunger
This event was a meal packing event at the Wake Forest Boys & Girls. They packed several thousand meals and helped to stock the Tri Area Ministry, as volunteers were asked to bring donations. There were about 200 volunteers from local community groups.
The Triangle Blessing Box has partnered with and is located at the Hope House
Our Mission at the Triangle Blessing Box, is to provide a 24/7 judgement free pantry, where community members are encouraged to take what they need and leave what they can. There is also a lockbox inside where people can write specific requests, and the Blessing Box team work to fill that need. The Blessing Box is also aimed at connecting neighbors on a more personal level to help bridge the gap in our community with those in need and those who want to help. The address for the Hope House is 334 North Allen Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587.
Approved for the Alston-Massenburg to be a Family Summer Feeding Program
More details forthcoming regarding this partnership with Wake Forest Parks & Recreation Department, Olive Branch Baptist Church, the Northeast Community Coalition and others. For more information, contact Joy Shillingsburg.
Partnership with the Northeast Community Coalition (NECC), Wake Forest Parks & Recreation Department Cooking Classes at the Alston-Massenburg Center
EFNEP will be leading this cooking classes with capacity at 25 participants. There will be more classes in the future.
Feed the Community food distribution under the Pavilion at Alston-Massenburg Center
On March 16, Food Bank in Raleigh delivered 10-12,000 pounds of food and it was distributed to over 100 families. Stay tuned for more dates in the future.
Potato Drop at St. Catherine's of Siena
Hundreds of volunteers worked together to bag about 25,000 pounds of white potatoes. It was a partnership between local churches, food pantries, youth groups and military/vets - at the end of the event all waste and pallets were delivered to a local community garden.
Town donates laptop computers to local food pantries
One of the immediate needs identified in the CAFN Plan was for laptops at local food pantries. In response, the Town recently donated four (4) laptops to local food pantries.