May 2020 COVID-19 Update

Now that North Carolina has moved to the next phase of response, we want to give you an update on IFC’s next steps.            

What Phase One Means for IFC

Thanks to dedicated staff, volunteers, and supporters, IFC will continue to open every day to provide shelter and food to our neighbors.

• The big news is that on Monday this week, IFC partnered with County and Town officials to relocate single adult shelter residents and services to a hotel! This move has been in the works for weeks in order to increase social distancing by providing each resident with their own room and restroom. IFC is staffing the hotel to support residents around-the-clock, and meals are being delivered. The initial length of stay will be 20 days with the possibility of extension. HomeStart families remain at the shelter, as they already have their own rooms and the children need space to play.
   
• While we are excited to be able to provide safer accommodations to shelter residents, we regret that some of our neighbors remain unsheltered during this uncertain time. We continue to work with community partners to outreach to people living outside, offering tents, sleeping bags, face masks, hand sanitizer, and hygiene kits. County staff are on-site at our Rosemary Street location providing safe access to phones and computers a few hours a week so people can file their taxes, apply for unemployment, and stay connected.
   
• Community Kitchen continues to offer take-out instead of plated meals in the dining room. Thanks to everyone who has ordered or delivered prepared meals and ingredients to Community Kitchen, Community House, and HomeStart to help people eat healthy and stay strong!
   
• Food Pantry requests and Emergency Financial Assistance interviews continue by phone, and members are still picking up groceries in the parking lot from staff or volunteers in face masks. One of our handy volunteers installed a doorbell and intercom for easier walk-up communications.
   

How to Stay Connected as the Pandemic Continues 

Since the onset of the devastating health crisis, the community has responded generously with donations of food, supplies, and funds. You helped IFC keep our programs open and increase services along with the need. Even through your own struggles, you are reaching out to our most vulnerable neighbors in this time of need. Thank you for your monetary gifts, grocery donations, hand-sewn face masks, personal notes and more.

As stimulus money and rent and utility forgiveness disappear, the fallout from the pandemic will make IFC services more important than ever.

For an updated list of needs, here are 5 Ways You Can Help IFC during the COVID-19 pandemic – including an Amazon wish list for supporting the Food Pantry from the safety of your home.

We hope you’ll also connect with us on social media. Please like, share, and retweet our posts! We are on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

New Development Team Leads IFC Into the Future

Jennifer Gill (left) has joined our team as IFC’s new Development and Communications Director! Jennifer is a Triangle native who graduated from UNC and has a Master of Social Work from Boston University. A former Board Member, she came on board in April and brings marketing and public relations experience from Duke University and Carol Woods. Jennifer looks forward to meeting you and learning about your connection with IFC.

Jennifer will soon be joined by Stephani Kilpatrick (right), our new Development and Communications Manager, who is transitioning into this new role after 10 years building up IFC's shelter and housing programs.

IFC is excited to have such a strong team leading our fundraising efforts into the future! Please feel free to contact them at 919-929-6380, jgill@ifcmailbox.org, or skilpatrick@ifcmailbox.org.

We’re Still Building!

110 West Main Street on May 11, 2020

IFC’s new community food hub is still under construction, though maintaining the project schedule has been challenging during the pandemic. Our general contractor, CT Wilson Construction, has modified operations to safeguard workers on the job site. The steel frame is complete, the first layer of roofing is set in place, and the concrete floors were poured. Construction on interior walls will begin soon, and the building is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. Check it out if you’re in the neighborhood!

Stay safe and well, IFC community!