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What gives you fresh hope?

For California Fresh Catering, providing nourishing meals for neighbors with food insecurities gave them hope.

During the pandemic, when weddings and events were cancelled, California Fresh did the pandemic pivot – shifting from catering events to partnering with local agencies, businesses, other non-profits and churches to provide food to the underserved in Davie County.

As of Jan. 1, what was once California Fresh Catering (CFC) changed its name to Fresh Hope.

Beginning in April 2020, Fresh Hope began making hot meals to take to organizations that could share them with those they knew could use a hot meal.

“Fresh Hope has been just that, a fresh hope for the town of Cooleemee. Through their willingness to collaborate, we have been able to offer free community meals at The Bridge@197Main for almost one year now,” said the Rev. Darren Crotts, pastor at Smith Grove Methodist Church.

“We have so appreciated their willingness to go the extra mile as we continue to develop new opportunities for food in the community. The food that they are supplying has allowed us to form meaningful relationships in the community in the name of Jesus Christ.”

“Partnering and developing cooperative relationships with like-minded people and organizations has been so inspiring and impactful,” said the volunteer manager for FH.

Fresh Hope  initially provided meals for Just Hope and Family Promise, and has expanded to serving The Bridge @197 Main in Cooleemee and Cooleemee Elementary School plus a number of families in Mocksville and Cooleemee.    

“Fresh HOPE has been a wonderful partner that has allowed us to serve nutritious meals several times a week to those going through a crisis who wouldn’t get them otherwise,” said Krystal Dumas of Just Hope. It allows us to deliver hope in a way that fills the belly and the soul at the same time.”

Sherry McKnight, the school counselor at Cooleemee Elementary, shared a story about a young boy who excitedly held up a bag of grapes. “Look Miss Sherry, I have fresh grapes for lunch.”

A mom shared her joy at finding cupcakes available at the Bridge @197 Main’s food market because her child’s birthday was the next day.

Fresh Hope volunteers thank all of the community partners who donate food:  Publix in Clemmons, Harris Teeter, Lowes Foods, Food Lion and WR Vernon Produce. Fresh Hope provides up to 400 prepared meals per week in addition to other fresh grocery items.

The receiving manager at Publix shared how wonderful it made her feel that their food surplus is going to families in need.  Weekly gift cards from Harris Teeter allow Fresh Hope to expand services even more in Davie County and WR Vernon provides an array of fresh fruits and vegetables regularly which enhance the prepared meals and provide lots of great selections for the markets.

Fresh Hope is just getting started with the motto: “Neighbors serving neighbors”.

There are opportunities for anyone in Davie who would like to join the team.If your specialty is slicing and dicing – join the food prep team. Like to drive?  Join our team of deliverers or donation pick ups. Financial contributions are also welcome.

Contact Julia at FH@thefreshhope.org or call (336) 413-2701.