Hunger Action Month Spotlight on Orange Congregations in Mission
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Collapse ▲September is National Hunger Action Month. This month we are highlighting organizations in Orange County that are taking action to feed people, empower communities, and solve food insecurity. Our sixth story highlights Orange Congregations in Mission (OCIM).
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A Neighborly Hand: Feeding Hope in Orange County
At Orange Congregations in Mission (OCIM), the day begins early. Staff and volunteers from congregations across Orange County arrive to pack grocery orders and prepare caddies for hot meal delivery, setting the daily rhythm for an organization dedicated to meeting the urgent needs of northern Orange County, including the entire geographic area of the Orange County Schools district.
The people at the heart of OCIM’s mission are all around. You see them at the food pantry: a mother with two children, attaining a week’s worth of groceries. You see them in the community: a senior citizen who relies on a Meals on Wheels volunteer for a hot meal, a quick wellness check, and a friendly face.
Inspired by faith, OCIM helps neighbors navigate urgent needs like hunger. They understand that life’s challenges—whether it’s an unexpected car repair or a sudden illness—can quickly derail a household budget. That’s why the organization offers a steady source of support, providing groceries with no income limitations. OCIM is also a conduit for the federal Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and distributes these commodities to eligible households as needed and available. In 2025, the food pantry served a monthly average of 727 individuals, including 214 children ages 5-17, 79 infants under the age of 5, and 29 seniors ages 65 and older.
For home-bound individuals who can no longer cook healthy meals for themselves, OCIM’s Meals on Wheels program is a critical lifeline. Its four routes serve about 25 people on weekdays, delivering not just a hot lunch, but often the only social interaction they’ll have all day. For most, this service is completely free.
OCIM is committed to learning each person’s story and their specific needs. They listen for dietary restrictions and supplement canned goods with fresh produce and dry goods for those who do not use canned food. And they even provide durable bags to those who walk the long distance to the closest county bus stop.
For more information, visit https://www.ocimnc.org/.
Photos provided by OCIM.