(upbeat music) - [Person 1] Good morning.

- [Person 2] Good morning.

- [Dara] It's a busy day at Peachland United Methodist Church.

(items shuffling) with volunteers moving quickly.

- Would you mind putting some more blackberries up there too?

- [Dara] Loading food into cars.

- We have dates, we have tomatoes of different kinds.

We have potato, lemons.

- [Dara] It's all part of Anson Crisis Ministries' mobile food pantry that began in 2014, that travels throughout different areas like Wadesboro, McFarlan, Wingate, and Monroe, providing free food for those in need.

- A lot of people can't afford food and so this helps them out a lot.

(high-pitched rewinding) - [Dara] Their morning begins bright and early.

First, putting out signs directing people where to go.

Next, organizing and bagging items fresh off the truck.

- [Debbie] The heaviest stuff first.

- [Dara] Then they gather for a prayer.

- God, we thank you for the folks that have come today to receive food.

- [Dara] After a resounding: - Amen.

- [Dara] Their work begins.

(upbeat music) Even though it's a chilly, overcast day, it didn't stop these 20 volunteers and over 70 cars from lining up.

And what time did you get here this morning?

- About 7:20 this morning.

- [Dara] George Ingram has been coming to the mobile pantry for about four years and says he always likes to be at the front of the line.

- I don't mind getting up early to make the effort to get here, because like I said, everything helps.

I've yet to get anything that I could not use.

So I really am grateful to everything I get here.

- [Dara] The latest data from the US Census Bureau shows that in Anson County, 22.4% of people live in poverty, compared to neighboring Union County that has 7.1%, and Mecklenburg County sits at 10.3%.

- Some people are flat hungry when they get here.

I mean, they have virtually nothing in their house and they're looking forward to this day.

Others, it's part of what helps them defray the cost of their grocery bill.

- [Dara] People who pull in the parking lot usually first see the smiling face of assistant director Lonnie Grose.

He goes from car to car checking them in, but also checking on them.

- From laughter to tears and everything in between.

Some people come through and they need the food, but they're really not here for the food.

They're here for the engagement, truthfully, the love.

I've had several people that just said, I just want you to pray with me today.

- [Dara] Grose tells me Second Harvest Food Bank donates the food they give away.

On average their mobile pantries serve about 70 families, from children to senior citizens.

- I've had a lot of personal struggles in my life and God has saved me from so much and he's given me a heart to reach out to people who are struggling.

Many of the people struggling with some of the same things I did in my youth, and I just want to give back.

- [Dara] As he and other volunteers continue to give back, the impact is being felt by those like William Price who've fallen on hard times.

- I had a stroke in March and I've been out of work since.

My cupboards were bare, so was my refrigerator, didn't have a thing in there, not even a piece of bread.

- [Dara] Price tells me his friends helped him find the program, and it literally saved him.

- I've never had to ask anybody for nothing, and I don't have to ask now.

It's there, all you've gotta do is walk up.

It don't belittle you.

And that's a big thing, 'cause you can swallow pride, but it don't fill your stomach.

- [Dara] The kindness he's received from volunteers is contagious.

- When things do turn around, I will be helping, because I'm not gonna forget that I got help.

And that's my goal, to help the people that help me and other people that need it.

(ambient music) - We have a lot of good produce and food today, so hopefully we have some full bellies and full hearts when they leave.

- Take these and try these.

- [Dara] A full belly and full heart - Thank you so much.

- You're welcome.

- [Dara] is exactly what 82-year-old Margaret Rogers says she gets every time.

- The big trucks are wonderful.

You either get meats, veggies too.

I love my veggies.

(laughs) - [Dara] For Rogers and her two elderly sisters, the mobile pantry makes a big difference.

- Most of the seniors are on fixed income in this area and when you go to the grocery store, the prices keep going up, and this has really helped.

- [Dara] She's not the only one seeing the financial benefits.

- I'm able to spend my money on gas and pay some bills, and that a big help.

- [Dara] Brenda Watson tells me the money she saves has gone a long way for her household over the years.

- Everybody don't have the money to go to the grocery stores and everybody don't receive food stamps.

So this is a plus for some of us.

- [Dara] For Watson, however, her experience is about more than just food and savings.

It's about the love she receives.

- Our fellowship with the pastor and the workers.

When I go through, they say good morning and I say, good morning.

We all smile and we talk.

- [Dara] And if you ask the volunteers, - Very, very, very fulfilling to your heart.

I mean, it's amazing.

- [Dara] They'll tell you love and serving others is what it's all about.

- It's good to see you sweetie.

- Good to see you.

- [Dara] For Carolina Impact, I'm Dara Khaalid.