Moore Coalition receives truckload of donations from Wingmen Motorcycle Club

The Moore County chapter of the Wingmen Motorcycle Club helped make the season merry and bright on Saturday when members delivered a full truckload of donations to the Sandhills Moore Coalition for Human Care. The delivery kick-started the Coalition’s holiday season and helped to fuel its busiest time of year.

The Sandhills Moore Coalition for Human Care, founded in 1986 by local churches, now includes support from 64 congregations, the United Way of Moore County, businesses, and civic groups. Its mission is to alleviate hunger and ease financial strains on struggling households across Moore County.

Organizers said the outpouring of support was overwhelming, resulting in hundreds of dollars’ worth of nonperishable items collected in time for the holidays. The Wingmen thanked the local businesses that allowed them to place donation boxes within their establishments: Hatchet Brewery, Time Out Sports Bar, The Workshop Tavern, and FirstHealth.

Riders gathered at Cox’s Double Eagle Harley-Davidson in Pinehurst on Saturday morning to collect last-minute donations before riding together to the Coalition’s food distribution center in Southern Pines. Upon arrival, the group unloaded the packed truck and joined volunteers in sorting the donations.

Sandhills Moore Coalition receives truckload of donations from local Wingmen chapter

Volunteers unload the truck.

Steve Phillips, executive director of Sandhills Moore Coalition, said this is the fourth year he’s personally worked with the Wingmen and that he’s grateful for the outpour of support at a critical time of year for many families.

“We greatly, greatly, greatly appreciate you, and we talk about you all year long,” said Phillips in an impromptu speech. “The amount of stuff that you give and what you do for the community—going out and helping people and showing people how it’s done—that’s really the biggest part of what you do. It’s an incredible thing.”

Phillips said the need this year has been especially high. The Coalition has provided more than $340,000 in financial assistance for household bills and other urgent needs, he said. Its food programs have distributed more than three-quarters of a million dollars’ worth of food so far, a number expected to surpass $1 million by year’s end.

Phillips also credited Food Distribution Manager Alex Juarez for expanding the organization’s capacity and strengthening community partnerships with grocers and food banks.

Sandhills Moore Coalition receives truckload of donations from Wingmen Motorcycle Club

Phillips (left) and Juarez (far right) address the crowd.

The Coalition is heading into one of its busiest seasons. Juarez said the organization is currently holding its annual donation campaign, which runs from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, and that even small donations help sustain families throughout Moore County.

“We are currently in our annual campaign for collecting donations from November 1 until the end of the year, and even one dollar per person will go a long way toward feeding the community and providing other essential necessities to those in need,” Juarez said. “With warm regards, we here at the Sandhills Moore Coalition want to extend our gratitude to all our donors and the community as well!”

The Coalition is also partnering with Star 102.5 FM for a winter coat drive on Friday, Nov. 21, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Honey Baked Ham in Aberdeen. The group is accepting coats of all sizes in gently used condition, as well as queen- and king-size blankets and other warm clothing.