Last week, teachers from across North Carolina gathered in Raleigh to demand more funding for public schools. It was a beautiful display and I truly do hope it struck a chord with the folks who hold the actual power in the North Carolina General Assembly.
It makes me cringe that teachers are so devalued in North Carolina that they’re paid lower than their counterparts in 46 other states. It also has me thinking this week about other thankless public service jobs like sanitation workers and US Postal Service workers.
Read More: North Carolina teachers share what they really want for Teacher Appreciation Week
That said, this week your local letter carriers will be working to help those folks more vulnerable than themselves when they are tasked with picking up countless packages of nonperishable foods to benefit food drives in 10,000 communities around the state.
There will be more on that below, but if your local letter carrier is taking part, maybe think about meeting them at the mailbox this Saturday with a bag of food and a tip to show your appreciation. Just a thought.
Wake County board votes on transformative merger
The Wake County Board of Commissioners will vote Monday night on whether to approve an amendment to WakeMed Health & Hospitals’ transfer agreement.
It will signify a key step in creating “a strategic combination” that aims to bring WakeMed’s five hospitals and roughly 350 physicians under the Atrium Health umbrella.
“In addition to accelerating our combined ability to keep pace with health care transformation, bringing these systems together includes a $2 billion investment in Wake County, the creation of more than 3,300 new health care jobs, expanded services for 1 million people across North Carolina, and the development of the state’s largest nonprofit mental health network,” read a release from the Charlotte-based Atrium in the lead-up to Monday’s vote.
Eugene A. Wood, CEO of Atrium’s parent company Advocate Health, insisted the merger will make an impact that goes beyond dollars.
“It means nationally recognized specialty care closer to home, more convenient and affordable care, including virtual visits, stronger mental health support, and 3,300 new health care jobs to help this community continue to thrive,” Woods said.
NC Health News says the move “would continue a recent expansion that is reshaping the state’s health care market and raising questions about costs, competition and oversight.”
Just as we prepared to publish this column, however, it appears that some folks have gotten cold feet.
NC Health News has followed up on their earlier reporting with a piece laying out the reasons why state and local leaders are pushing for tonight’s decision to be deferred, citing short notice and a lack of info for the potential delay. It’s unclear at the time of this writing whether the vote will take place tonight or at a later date.
Stomp (or stamp) out hunger without leaving home
US Postal Service employees in 10,000 communities across the country will collect nonperishable food items on Saturday as part of the National Association of Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, the nation’s largest single-day food drive.
Postal workers will collect the items for area food banks and pantries, which will then distribute them to families struggling with food insecurity.
In the Charlotte area, the drive will benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina (SHFBM) and Nourish Up (formerly Loaves & Fishes/Friendship Trays).
Participants are asked to leave their nonperishable food donations in a bag near their mailbox on Saturday, May 9, before their mail carrier arrives.
While all non-perishable donations are welcome, foods that are high in protein such as canned tuna, salmon, beans, and peanut butter are most needed, according to a release from SHFBM.
Canned fruits and vegetables, whole grain, low sugar cereals, macaroni-and-cheese dinners, and 100% fruit juice also top the list of most-needed items.
Food drive officials are asking that residents not donate rusty or unlabeled cans, glass containers, perishable or expired items, homemade items, noncommercial canned or packaged items, alcoholic beverages, soda, or open and used items.
“The letter carriers work tirelessly each year to pick-up items from residents throughout the neighborhoods that they deliver mail to,” read the release from SHFBM. “The need is great and anything you can do to help is greatly appreciated.”
CultureFest in Oxford
Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Main Street, Oxford
Head up to the northern Piedmont and travel the world in a day at Oxford’s CultureFest.
The festival features vendors, cultural performers, ethnic cuisines and family-friendly activities held throughout the day on Main Street in Oxford.
Traditional performances include Hawaiian and Tahitian dance, Chinese Dragon Dance, and more while vendors sell culture-specific items that make perfect Mother’s Day gifts for those procrastinators like myself.
Radio personality Olivia Nunez hosts this year alongside Oxford City Commissioner Curtis McRae, with performances from Kenny Buffalo karate (Japan), Shirley McCaden & Company (Southern Black Gospel USA), Triangle Chinese Dance Club (China), and The British Invaders Band (United Kingdom).
And that’s all before 1 p.m. Check the website for the full schedule of performers.
