The Governor’s Volunteer Service Award honors the true spirit of volunteerism by recognizing individuals and groups who make a significant contribution to their community through volunteer service. An individual or group from the public, nonprofit, and private sector may be nominated for this recognition award by a community member to their county-designated coordinator. 

Lori Brantner’s passion to provide nutritional fresh produce to the underserved led her to create Harvest Haul in 2020. Harvest Haul is a program of committed volunteers who come to the Farmers Market every Saturday, cultivate relationships with farmers, and coordinate the pickup, delivery, and distribution of freshly harvested unsold fruits and vegetables.   

Determined to fill the food insecurity gap with nutritional security, Lori supports local family farms, eliminates food waste, and ensures that the food is delivered where it is needed most.   

Fellow volunteer Bob Caruso says of his friend, “Lori is highly regarded by all who help her as volunteers or partner with her as colleagues. She is the consummate servant leader, selflessly striving to serve others and deflecting praise to those with whom she works. She is intelligent and enthusiastic about her activities and driven by the super-ordinate goal of nutritional security for those in need.” 

Under Lori’s leadership, the measurables this year have been truly impressive: 

• 65 volunteers  
• 600 volunteer hours 
• 15,000 pounds of vegetables  
• 410 pounds of farm fresh vegetables were donated from HH and Nourish Up’s first-ever Thanksgiving Vegetable Drive at CLT Regional Farmers Market 
• More than 100 Nourish Up families (200-300 individuals) per month now have access to local vegetables gathered by HH since the partnership started 

Jan Johnson, President of the Uptown Farmers Market, says, “Lori is so deserving of being recognized for her commitment, and I hope her tireless efforts will shine a light on the need to make healthy, nutritional food accessible for all.” 

We are thrilled to announce the largest gift in the history of our organization.  

The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation has made a $3 million donation to Nourish Up as part of our ambitious $23 million capital campaign to build and renovate our Hunger Hub. We moved into this

“We are honored that Nicole and Dave have chosen to invest and stand in support of the individuals and families we serve,” said Nourish Up CEO Tina Postel. “At Nourish Up, we will continue to ensure that all of our neighbors have access to healthy food.” 

“Dave and I are proud to support Nourish Up in its mission to eradicate food insecurity in Mecklenburg County,” said Nicole Tepper. “Nourish Up’s vital work has supported hundreds of thousands of people and families and continues to uplift our community as a whole. We are thrilled to support the organization and its new Hunger Hub as part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring our neighbors have access to healthy meals and basic needs.”  

The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation’s generous gift propels the campaign towards its finish line and bolsters the future work of Nourish Up in making food accessible to neighbors in need across the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area.   

Beyond its latest donation to Nourish Up, The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation remains committed to combatting food insecurity throughout the Carolinas, distributing more than $6.4 million to food banks and affiliated agencies since 2018.

Nourish Up friend and 8th grader Anderson Cook hosted the 7^th annual Cook’s Cafe on Sunday, August 25. While he and classmates and family served up a savory breakfast to neighbors and friends, they also nourished neighbors in need — with all donations coming straight to Nourish Up.  

But Anderson’s generosity doesn’t stop there. Usually held on a Saturday morning, when Anderson learned that Tour de Turns, also benefiting Nourish Up, was on Saturday, August 24, he and his family chose to move the cafe to Sunday so that his family could enlist in Finish Line Fun, cheering on cyclists and walkers with bubbles, sweet treats, costumes, and more.  

“I like to cook,” Anderson told CEO Tina Postel. “So, when I was in second grade and we went on a field trip to Loaves & Fishes, I decided to have a breakfast stand to raise money for people who can’t afford groceries.”  

The Cook’s Cafe menu features everything you could dream of: breakfast sandwiches, muffins, coffee, donuts, cinnamon rolls, sausage, french toast, grits, juice, and more.  

Anderson, and Cook family and friends, Nourish Up thanks you! We cannot nourish our neighbors in need without neighbors like you.