It’s Tuesday, July 30.

Support the INDY Press Club.

The most recognized award in the Triangle is back for 2024 – Orange & Chatham County nominations are live and will end on August 12th! Go now to nominate your favorites!

Good morning, readers.

Since 2018, Raleigh nonprofit A Place at the Table has provided pay-what-you-wish meal service out of its brick-and-mortar location off West Hargett Street downtown. Table offers a place for anyone, regardless of income, to enjoy a meal with dignity.

And starting this October, Table will take that mission on the road with The Travelin’ Table food truck. 

Founder Maggie Kane says the truck will address several current challenges, including a changed business model in the post-pandemic world.

Before the pandemic, about 70 percent of people paid full price for meals while 30 percent paid reduced prices. These days, that ratio has flipped. Kane hopes that the revenue from food truck events—company parties, weddings, catering opportunities—can help maintain and spread the mission of the original restaurant.

“Table continues to be pretty, pretty full, which is a great problem to have,” says Kane.

The USDA reports that 44 million Americans are food insecure, or living in a household where everyone lacks access to enough food for an active and healthy life. North Carolina is the 10th hungriest state in the country—more than 1.2 million people were food insecure in 2021, Feeding America reports.

“Hunger is not going away, [there] continues to be more and more people who are experiencing poverty and who need a meal and need a community,” says Kane.

Kane acknowledges that it’s an uphill battle but still has faith in the community. Earlier this year, Wake County contributed $120,000 to A Place at the Table. Anyone can donate their money, or their volunteer time, to the operation. 

“A lot of folks are struggling and I think that we just have to, as a community, understand that and really support each other,” says Kane.

Have a good Tuesday.

—Chase 

Durham

New changes to how Durham’s hotel/motel occupancy tax is allocated mean a new convention center and other projects could be on the horizon.

Wake

A new bluegrass festival is coming to Raleigh next year after the IBMA World of Bluegrass festival departs for Tennessee.

Orange

The Town of Chapel Hill is struggling to redevelop the toxic coal ash mound located underneath its police station.

North Carolina

Gov. Cooper has withdrawn himself from consideration as a potential VP for Kamala Harris.

Today’s weather

Clear with a high of 89 degrees, a chance of storms.

If you’d like to advertise your business to the Daily’s 30,000-plus subscribers, please contact [email protected]

Love The INDY? Join the INDY Press Club.
Support the ambitions of local journalism (plus, you can enjoy a few perks).

Become a Member