Dozens of Charities, Food Trucks Gather For Community Picnic

October 19, 2022

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Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture is hosting the second annual Thanks + Giving Food Truck Rodeo and Non-Profit Showcase on Sunday, November 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1714 Legion Road. Inspired by the season of eating and giving, Chapel Hill and Carrboro based non-profits will provide participatory activities for all ages and sweet and savory food trucks will offer a variety of cuisines to enjoy. Two organizations, Inter-Faith Council for Social Service (IFC) and PORCH will anchor the event and will collect toiletries and dried food items.

Approximately twelve food trucks will offer a range of cuisines, including Jamaican, Cajun, Mexican, and BBQ. Vendors are selected based on diverse menu offerings, including desserts, and on a commitment to use 100% compostable materials. “At Town-sponsored events, we strive to reduce our waste by encouraging all participants to use materials that won’t end up in the landfill,” says Alison Bender, Special Events Coordinator for Community Arts & Culture. The current line-up of food trucks includes Mia’s Kitchen, Baton Rouge Cuisine, Smoking Deez BBQ, Cilantro Mexican Cuisine, and Drizzle D’s Donuts.

Along with food trucks, attendees can expect to see around twenty non-profits representing a range of causes, from mental health to affordable housing to digital equity to adult literacy. This part of the event aims to showcase the variety of organizations advancing great causes in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. “Non-profit organizations will provide an engaging activity to contribute to the atmosphere of the event and showcase their mission. By doing this, attendees can learn about new organizations and find ways to get involved and give back,” says Bender.

Two agencies, IFC and PORCH will serve as anchor non-profits and will accept donations of food, toiletries, and other supplies. IFC was a participating non-profit last year and is eager to return. “The holidays are all about sharing. The Thanks + Giving Food Truck Rodeo enables families who cannot donate during our business hours, to make this their new tradition. We welcome everyone who would like to share much-needed items with households that IFC serves. If you don’t have anything to bring, that’s okay. We’ll have materials for you to create a holiday card for shelter residents,” says Jennifer Gill, Development and Communications Director for IFC.

The event will have the feeling of a community picnic, and attendees should bring blankets and folding chairs to spread out on the large green space at Legion Road. A local DJ will provide a family-friendly soundtrack and lawn games will be ready for use. Plenty of parking is available at Legion Road and alternate modes of transportation are always encouraged. Consider biking to the event or using Chapel Hill Transit. Route D will stop every hour at the Europa Center, located close to the event.

The group of participating food trucks and charities is still being finalized. Interested vendors and non-profits can apply until Sunday, October 22. Check the event website to see the applications and the full lineup of offerings at chapelhillarts.org/foodtruckrodeo. The Thanks + Giving Food Truck Rodeo is being organized by the Town of Chapel Hill’s Community Arts & Culture. To learn more about Community Arts & Culture, visit chapelhillarts.org.

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