Feed Halifax thanks board, asks supervisors to continue $100,000 support as it expands lockers and mobile trailer

Feed Halifax representatives told the Halifax County Board of Supervisors they used last year’s $100,000 allocation to expand local food-distribution efforts and asked that the funding continue for the coming fiscal year.

“Without you guys’ money and support … we would never be able to serve that many people,” Ronald Clark said during a presentation that listed milestones including a mobile food trailer, a refrigerated food locker system and partnerships with local businesses and organizations.

The group presented data it said show a rise in need: organizers reported 25,784 duplicated clients served in 2025 compared with about 16,000 the prior year and cited partner reports such as the People’s Pantry’s 129,000 pounds distributed this year. Feed Halifax leaders said all county-donated funds remain in Halifax and that the pantries operate with volunteers and no administrative fees.

Feed Halifax described a two-part operational expansion. The locker system will be refrigerated, available 24 hours by a numeric code given after online or QR-code registration, and limited by rules intended to prevent overuse. The mobile trailer, supported by local fire departments and corporate partners, will visit remote areas on a posted schedule; the group said the trailer can hold several hundred food boxes and includes refrigeration for fresh produce.

Organizers said they have an auditing and partnership relationship with Feed More Richmond, which they said provides oversight and allows the group to buy food at reduced rates; Feed More, the presenters said, provided a $5,000 grant and auditing support. Ronald Clark also said Feed Halifax tries to limit fraud while prioritizing access: “We chose no” when asked whether to penalize the majority for fraud by a minority, noting Feed More’s estimate of a roughly 10% fraud rate in statewide reporting.

Debbie Graus, identified as president of Feed Halifax, asked supervisors to continue the $100,000 line item, stressing that the funds would be used only to purchase food for Halifax County residents and that Feed Halifax would continue to provide documentation of expenditures by pantry. Organizers said they have diversified fundraising (race events, grants, corporate donors) and are seeking a full-time coordinator to run lockers and trailer operations.

The presentation concluded with Feed Halifax answering questions about locker locations, trailer scheduling, and coordination with local pantries. Presenters said they would provide maps, schedules and documentation to board staff to demonstrate results and transparency. No formal board vote was recorded during the presentation.