In Durham, North Carolina, the holiday season brings a heightened awareness of the challenges faced by many families in ensuring their children have enough to eat. To address this, an extraordinary community effort is underway to pack and distribute nearly 5,000 food bags to students in need. This initiative, part of the 10th annual Mrs. Parker’s Foodraiser, aims to provide groceries to children during the two-week holiday school break.
Jahara Davis, the principal at Lakewood Elementary, has witnessed the impact of food insecurity among her students. For many families, the holidays can be a bittersweet time, as parents struggle to balance the costs of festive traditions with the basic need to put food on the table. “It’s a cost,” Davis emphasized. “You’re trying to give your kids these wonderful things at home for the holidays, but then again, you have to feed them.”
The Foodraiser began a decade ago with a simple but profound act of kindness. Turquoise LeJeune Parker, a Durham educator, responded to a parent’s plea for help by buying groceries. What started as a personal gesture has grown into a city-wide initiative, with every student in Durham’s 12 elementary schools and middle school receiving a bag of groceries. Parker’s commitment extends beyond the classroom because, as she explains, “Children deserve to have amazing life experiences from as young as possible.” Her husband, Donald Parker III, has been a steadfast partner in the effort, driving trucks and supporting the mission since its inception. He sees the Foodraiser as a manifestation of faith and a reflection of a larger vision of service. “It’s really God’s work,” he said. “This is just the beginning.”
The effort relies heavily on the support of hundreds of volunteers and donations. Volunteers gather daily from December 4 to December 7, working long hours to pack and deliver the food bags. The Foodraiser’s impact resonates deeply, not only with the children who benefit but also with the community members who contribute. Parker noted the humbling nature of the experience, pointing out that for many recipients, a bag of food represents a lifeline amid the broader economic challenges they face. “It tells you what capitalism looks like in our society,” she said. “We’re talking about basic needs here—food—while people should also have the ability to enjoy other things in life if they choose.”
For Davis, the initiative has personal significance as both a volunteer and a recipient. Collecting food at her school and even receiving a bag for her own child, she feels the ripple effects of Parker’s generosity. “For Mrs. Parker to say, ‘Let me feed others and the community,’ makes a big difference and has a huge impact on the students and the City of Durham,” Davis said.
This remarkable display of compassion and community spirit showcases the power of collective action. Those who wish to contribute to the cause can visit the donation fund or sign up to volunteer. Together, Durham residents are proving that no child should go hungry, especially during the holiday season.
