Plus, where to golf in CLT.
 
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Today’s Weather

94º | 20% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:32 a.m. | Sunset 8:25 p.m.
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🍽️ Feeding Charlotte

PORCH Charlotte combating food insecurity
A PORCH yard sign with brown paper bags behind it, stacked with food.
PORCH’s mission is to collect and distribute food for all those experiencing food insecurity in the Queen City. | Photo via PORCH Communities
30,000 — The number of people fed with the help of PORCH Communities. The grassroots organization works to fight food insecurity by having neighbors help neighbors. Founded by Christine Cotton in Chapel Hill, NC in 2010, the organization has expanded across 10 states, including Charlotte.

How did PORCH get started? By a friend helping a friend with a sandwich.

"[Matt] My son was in elementary school and asked if he could bring some extra sandwiches because he wanted to bulk up and get stronger,” said Cotton. “Week after week, I’m sending my kid with extra sandwiches and week after week, the same little guy keeps coming back.”

Seeing no changes in Matt’s physique, Cotton inquired the real reason behind the extra food. Her son explained it was to help feed his best friend and his family.

“I had no idea that hunger was so prevalent,” recounted Cotton.

10+ years later, PORCH Communities brings residents together, collecting donated food from porches, and delivers them to local pantries and organizations.

A group of children smiling while holding bags of groceries.

Since 2010, PORCH has fed more than 30,000 people across 11 states.

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Photo via PORCH Communities

How does it work? The organization works with volunteers to host monthly neighborhood food drives to gather non-perishable items + money to be donated to local food pantries such as St. Paul’s Baptist Church, Wedgewood Church, and Nourish Up.

Where are collections so far? PORCH Charlotte has three locations: Belmont, Madison Park, and Starmount but there is a hunger for more.

“We’re barely touching the surface in Charlotte. I don’t want to say it’s a hungry city but there’s a lot of people that don’t have access to food,” said Cotton.

We checked — 15% of all households in Charlotte are food insecure.

“If we could rally our communities to support the pantries, we’re making a big difference,” added Cotton.

Interested? Sign up to donate food or become a neighborhood coordinator.
 
Events
Thursday, Aug. 1
  • North End Farmers Market | Thursday, Aug. 1 | 4-8 p.m. | Keswick, 1801 N. Graham St., Charlotte | Cost of purchase | Support local farmers and artisans in this weekly outdoor market.
  • Paddle and Pasta | Thursday, Aug. 1 | 5:45-7:15 p.m. | Lake Haigler Entrance, 2573 Lake Haigler Dr., Fort Mill | $36 | Paddle along Lake Haigler before savoring a pasta dinner at the Gateway Canteen.
Friday, Aug. 2
  • Rock The Park Liberty Park Summer Concert Series | Friday, Aug. 2 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Liberty Park Mooresville, 255 E. Iredell Ave., Mooresville | Cost of purchase | Spend the evening jamming to live music + enjoy local cocktails and food trucks.
  • Brothers Brandon & Vince Stevens | Friday, Aug. 2 | Times vary | Middle C Jazz Club, 300 S. Brevard St., Charlotte | $30-$40 | Sway to the melodies of renowned musicians Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye.
  • Nature’s Nightlights | Friday, Aug. 2 | 7-10 p.m. | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Rd., Belmont | $12-$20 | Experience the botanical garden in a new “light” inspired by the summer landscape.
Saturday, Aug. 3
  • Amphibious Duathlon | Saturday, Aug. 3 | 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | US National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy., Charlotte | $50+ | Take on two 5K trails broken up by a 2K flatwater paddle.
  • NoDa Bizarre Arts Festival | Saturday, Aug. 3 | 3-10 p.m. | NoDA, 3025 N. Davidson St., Charlotte | Cost of purchase | Shop 50+ vendors + enjoy live music, art demonstrations + “The Sandlot” under the stars.
  • Tonic, Sugar Ray, & Better Than Ezra | Saturday, Aug. 3 | 6 p.m. | Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte | $25-$120 | “Fly” on roller coasters before rocking to these bands during the theme park’s Summer Music Fest.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Weather
  • Expect another scorching day. Temperatures will be in the mid 90s this afternoon with a heat index between 104 and 108 degrees + a chance for severe storms. (WCNC)
Traffic
  • A portion of South Cedar Street remains closed due to a sinkhole in Uptown. Charlotte Water cites a water main break for the cause. Water has been restored to neighboring residents and businesses. (WCNC)
Community
  • Parking hours in Uptown and South End are expanding. Now through Sept. 1, drivers will be able to use on-street parking 7 a.m.—10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Warning citations will be issued Sept. 3-14 while drivers adjust to the changes. (Queen City News)
Active
  • A new walking trail is now open in Hickory. Aviation Walk is one of five trails being built across the city. The trails will connect 10+ miles of neighborhoods. (WSOC)
Olympics
  • Butler HS alum Cierra Burdick returns to the court for 3x3 basketball today at 12 p.m. against Australia. Team USA will also make a splash in Water Polo, Rowing, and Golf. You can follow along with Team USA via WCNC’s ongoing Olympics coverage. (WCNC)
Closing
  • Bleu Barn announced it’s closing at Camp North End. The location started as a food truck in 2014 before opening at Camp. The owners cite a steady decline in economy and rising costs for the closure. The final day of service will be Sunday, Aug. 4.
Eat
  • Eggs Up Grill is opening in Indian Trail with plans to open six more restaurants in the Charlotte area. Diners can order staples like eggs, bacon, home fries or grits, and toast. There are restaurants in Gastonia, Cornelius, Fort Mill, and Rock Hill. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Edu
  • Time is ticking for college-bound students to apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The deadline to apply for Next NC Scholarship is Aug. 15. The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority has counselors and advisers to support applicants.
Sports
  • Today is Fan Fest — a day for the Panthers to show off their skills on the field ahead of the new season. How will it translate to game day? Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Carolina Panthers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Wellness
Shop
  • Get more from your Costco membership — this week only, get a $40 digital Costco shop card and $60 off an order of $200+ on Costco.com when you buy an Executive Membership on our deals site.*
 
Sports

⛳️ A hole-in-one

Perfect your swing: learn to golf like the Olympians
Green grass with yellow ball in hole with yellow pole.
These courses are a hole-in-one. | Photo courtesy of City of Winston-Salem Recreation and Parks via @ws_recreationparks
Team USA is taking the greens at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Golf puts endurance, coordination, and patience to the test. It’s also a sport for all ages.

Driving to try? Here are a few clubs offering lessons in Charlotte:

Leatherman Golf Learning Center | 5845 S. Tryon St., Charlotte | This state-of-the-art facility provides individual and private lessons for junior and adult athletes.

Stonebridge Golf Course | 2721 Swilcan Burns Dr., Monroe | Take lessons from several PGA-certified coaches at the “friendliest course around.”

Highland Creek Golf Course | 7101 Highland Creek Pkwy., Charlotte | Find your swing + relax in the beer garden and taproom.

Snyder Golf Academy | 800 Radio Rd., Charlotte | This instructor offers classes for adults of any age and skill at Sunset Hills Golf Course.

Don’t forget — follow Team USA’s quest for gold via WCNC’s ongoing Olympics coverage.
Asked

How many Olympic medals does the US have for golf?
A. 13
B. 15
C. 10
D. 12
Tee off
The Buy

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More worth The Buy
Answered

Yesterday, we asked “what country has the most Olympic medals for Equestrian?”
An Equestrian rider mounts a horse in an empty stadium.

Tryon International is a world class equestrian facility and only a 90 minute drive from Charlotte.

|

Photo via WCNC

The Olympics have these City Editors wanting to try all the sports the Queen City has to offer, including Equestrian.

We put your Equestrian + Olympic knowledge to the test — 73% said Great Britain had the most medals but that would be incorrect.

15% said Germany. “Das ist wunderbar,” that’s the correct answer.
6AM City In-house
 
The Wrap
 
Headshot of CLTtoday author Maria Delgado

Today’s edition by:
Maria
From the editor
City Editor Jack and I will be at the Carolina Panthers’ Fan Fest later today in Clemson, SC. If you see us, be sure to say “hi.” If you can’t make it, let us know what you’re wanting to see.
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