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Lucette Mercer, deputy director of the Green Rural Redevelopment Organization (GRRO), appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.

The GRRO, started by Henderson residents Henry Crews and Ardis Crews, is a part of the NC Rural Center’s Rural Food Business Assistance Project. This program offers technical training to agribusinesses and builds networks to support local farmers, value-added processors and foodservice businesses.

Partnering with city and federal agencies, the GRRO connects unemployed individuals to construction jobs that restore dilapidated homes and turn vacant lots into micro-farms that feed the community.

Mercer discussed Wellness on Wheels, the most recent initiative of the GRRO, in partnership with Vance County organizations to offer free, healthy meals for local children every Tuesday – Friday through at least August 31, 2020.

“We provide hot, healthy meals to kids 18 and younger in the community, free of charge, no questions asked and no issues,” explained Mercer. “You simply show up at the times and locations promoted and tell us how many kids you’re picking up meals for. We’re trying to find meals that are healthy, that kids want to eat and that parents feel really good about giving their kids.”

Grab-and-Go meals will be available Tuesday-Friday at the following locations and times:

• Franklin Vance Warren Opportunity ~ 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. ~ Location: 180 S. Beckford Drive, Henderson
• Oasis of Hope Ministries ~ 12 – 1 p.m. ~ Location: 2495 US Hwy 1/158, Henderson
• Cotton Memorial Presbyterian Church ~ 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. ~ Location: 511 N. Chestnut St., Henderson
• Knoll Terrace Mobile Home Park ~ 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. ~ 1261 Americal Rd., Henderson

Mercer said what started as 150 available meals has turned into 500 distributed daily as of this afternoon. That number will soar to 2,000 meals at this Friday’s event as organizers distribute enough meals to feed participating youth for Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

“As more and more people are made aware of this resource in the community and, importantly, realize that it is a healthy food resource, more people are coming to us to fill that gap of getting good meals for their kids,” said Mercer.

For more information on the GRRO, and to stay up-to-date on its programs and events, please visit its Facebook page (click here).

To hear the interview with Mercer in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.