Chicken for Charlotte's needy

People receiving assistance from Loaves & Fishes will benefit from a huge donation courtesy of  Tyson Foods and Compass Group.

Today, Loaves & Fishes, which distributes food to pantries throughout the city, will receive a tractor-trailer full of food. The Tyson delivery will be more than 38,000 pounds – 1,892 cases of Tyson chicken products – valued at $70,000. Tyson is Compass' primary chicken supplier.

The donation comes at time when the charity has seen a 34 percent increase in the number of people seeking groceries. On top of that, the organization is preparing for the holiday season, said Beverly Howard, executive director of Loaves & Fishes in a news statement.

In 2008, Loaves & Fishes fed 84,045 people in Mecklenburg County. The organization expects to provide a week's worth of groceries to 100,000 people by year's end.

Want to help?
Loaves & Fishes will hold its third annual Feed the Need event 7-10 p.m., Saturday at the Loaves & Fishes' warehouse. Enjoy a Low Country boil and pastalaya (jambalaya with pasta) by Carolina Cajun Connection. Carolina Gator Gumbo Band will provide the music and dance lessons. WCNC-TV's Larry Sprinkle will emcee a live auction. $50 per person. Reservations: www.loavesandfishes.org, 704-523-4333.