Life & Work with Pat Haggard of Holly Springs

Today we’d like to introduce you to Pat Haggard

Hi Pat, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am originally from Memphis, Tennessee and a secondary education graduate of the University of Memphis. I moved to Raleigh in 2008 after 25 years as an Air Force wife and 15 years in mission service at Red Bird Mission, Kentucky. I am a member of the founding board of directors of the Holly Springs Food Cupboard, serving as Co-Executive Director from 2010 until February 2016, Executive Director from 2016 until October 2024 and am currently board vice-president. My husband Fred and I have 2 sons and 3 grandchildren. Our older son and his family live in Holly Springs, NC and our younger son and his family live in Nashville, TN.

The Holly Springs Food Cupboard is a 100% volunteer-run organization with the mission to provide supplemental food and referral assistance to those experiencing food insecurity in the Holly Springs community. We are a partner agency of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC and designated by them as a Healthy Pantry. The Cupboard has adapted to the growth in Holly Springs and the entire southwest Wake County areas with several building expansions, remodelings and numerous changes in operations.

Organizational meetings began in early 2010 with the Cupboard receiving incorporation from the state of North Carolina in June 2010. Food distributions to neighbors needing assistance began in September 2010 in space borrowed from the Holly Springs United Methodist Church. In 2011 the permanent home for the Cupboard at 621 W. Holly Springs Road was purchased and remodeled and food distributions from that location began in December 2011. Three other remodeling projects expanded warehouse space and enclosed a carport to better meet distribution needs. An onsite community garden began in 2012 and currently yields more than a ton of fresh healthy produce for distributions each year.

Day-to-day operations at the Cupboard have changed over the years as well. Neighbors receiving food initially came inside the Cupboard to receive food but the pandemic of 2020 forced a change to a drive-through distribution. Limited home deliveries were added to meet the needs of those unable to get to the Cupboard due to health or transportation issues. After surveying clients on their preference of distribution methods, a second weekly distribution day was added in August 2022 allowing some to make shopping appointments on Mondays while the majority continue to use the drive-through distribution on Thursdays. In the 15 years of food distributions, the number of household visits has grown from 240 visits in 2010 to 6249 in 2024.

The Holly Springs community has demonstrated over and over their support for the Cupboard through their generous donations of time, food and financial contributions. Together we help ease burdens of local families experiencing food insecurity, enabling them to learn, work, play and contribute to Holly Springs and surrounding communities.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The COVID pandemic of course was a huge challenge to continue to provide for food insecurity needs while protecting our volunteers and neighbors receiving food. The change to drive-through distribution, masks, sanitizing and following health protocols was essential to remaining viable.

The rapid growth of our southwest Wake and surrounding counties continues to be a challenge. The number of families receiving food assistance continues to grow and with it our need for operational space.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
One scripture that I hold on to is Micah 6:8. “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” It is a joy to work alongside the dedicated volunteers of the Holly Springs Food Cupboard and our generous community to meet our neighbor’s needs.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hsfoodcupboard.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hsfoodcupboard
• Facebook: http://m.facebook.com/Holly-Springs-Food-Cupboard-163832520343796