CBC Participates in Harvest Feast for Community Members in Need
Harvest time takes on a whole new meaning for low income families in the Triangle as they enjoy a Harvest Feast at the RBC Center. |
Normally, the RBC Center in Raleigh is filled with hockey or basketball fans rooting for the home team. But this past Sunday, October 30, 2005, the arena hosted an event of a different type.
This was the third annual “Harvest Feast” sponsored by Harris Teeter, Capitol Broadcasting Company, The Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, The Cities of Raleigh & Durham, and Triangle United Way.
This event is held annually to kick-off the Harris Teeter seasonal food drive. In the Triangle, over 11,735 senior citizens live below the poverty line according to US Census Bureau statistics. The cost of living is high in this community and there is an extreme shortage of affordable housing. (CBC has taken the lead in highlighting these concerns to the community through news stories, The Fletcher Foundation, and the WRAL News documentary unit.)
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WRAL-FM’s Vanna Fox emcees the event for the first time.
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Stormy, the Hurricanes’ mascot, has fun playing with the kids. |
The invited participants as always were seniors, low income families, the homeless, various social service agencies, communities and religious organizations serving those in need. Last year over 4,000 people were served traditional holiday meals. This year’s total is not yet available.
The children are thrilled to chase an absolute downpour of bubbles. |
In addition to a free holiday meal, the attendees enjoyed live music, entertainment by face painters, clowns, the Wolfpack cheering team, Hurricanes mascot Stormy the Pig, and pictures & autographs from both Carolina Hurricanes and NCSU ball players. Every child was given a gift bag.
WRAL-FM MIX 101.5 Radio Air Personality & Traffic Reporter Vanna Fox served as emcee and entertained the audience with some wonderful spiritual vocals. This was Fox’s first time at this event and she was extremely happy and excited to play a role.
Vanna Fox also provides musical entertainment. |
“I love working for a company that supports, and allow us to participate in events that are so meaningful to the community,” she said. Quite a number of CBC’ers were involved.
The cities of Raleigh and Durham provided free bus transportation for senior citizens housing complexes, community center, homeless shelters, etc. This was indeed a community wide effort.
“If you’re having a bad day, volunteer for an event like Harvest Feast,” said Fox. “Not only will you be doing something great for the community, you end up rewarded by the level of love and appreciation from everyone involved.”
Thanks to WRAL-TV’s Clarence Williams for this capcom story & to WRAL-FM’s Paige Ellis for these capcom photos.
