HAYESVILLE — Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte, in partnership with Hayesville First United Methodist Church, will explore the topic of food insecurity in the far western rural counties of North Carolina Saturday, Sept. 23, at the 8th annual Bishop Begley Conference on Appalachia.
Attendees will learn about the scope of this social concern and how food insecurity manifests itself in rural areas. Presenters will address food insecurity through the lenses of rural practitioners. Attendees will also learn how rural areas in general, and certain western North Carolina non-profit organizations in particular, are marshaling resources to address this problem.
There will be a special panel session highlighting how recipients of this year’s Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte Growing Opportunities Grants are fighting food insecurity and providing resources that make a real difference for individuals, families and communities. This is the 16th year that Growing Opportunities Grants have been awarded in the far western region of the diocese.
The conference will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Hayesville First United Methodist Church, which is located at 989 U.S. 64 Bus., Hayesville.
A $15 fee covers lunch and refreshments. Go to www.ccdoc.org/fwnc for a schedule and registration form. Questions? Contact Joe Purello at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 704-370-3225.
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter