Coronavirus Relief Project
The non-profit Poor No More is planning a big event June 6th from 12 noon to 4pm. The Community Free Store is all about a dignified shopping experience within a nice artsy atmosphere in Noda. This organization is a food bank, free store, has emergency assistance funds and personal finance and offers wealth building workshops.
I interviewed Jermaine Nakia Lee and he explained how the Poor No More name, mission and cause came into fruition. PNM is a grassroots community service project that began after conversations about poverty with his young sons, Josiah & Jediah. Lee enlisted the help and resources of his family, friends, business colleagues and online community to establish the PNM Free Store, PNM Food Bank and PNM Emergency Assistance Fund. Since it’s January 2019 establishment, PNM has served over 1345 poor & working poor individuals & families in the Charlotte area. Follow on Facebook to keep up with this incredible organization.
To qualify for PNM services, you must be……
• currently receiving FOOD STAMP benefits or
• currently receiving SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY benefits or
• a SENIOR CITIZEN (65 or older) or
• a VETERAN or
• HOMELESS
You can donate and your drop-off can be arranged by calling/texting Mr. Jermaine Nakia Lee at 980-309-1318. Drop off hours are: Tuesday-Friday from 12pm to 7pm. Call or text when en route to the Donation Center located in NODA@28th Creative Arts Studios 2424 N. Davidson St. suite 110 Charlotte NC 28205.
PNM is partnering with several community-based organizations that serve women and children, the LGBTQ community, the HIV/AIDS community, the disabled and especially those who are homeless.
The 2020 Community Partners include:
- Trader Joe’s – Metropolitan
- Wedgewood Church
- Your Custom Catering
- MJ’s Kitchen Southern & Low Country Cuisine
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Dept. of Social Services
- Children & Family Services
- PowerHouse Project
- The Metellus Foundation
- Caldwell Presbyterian Church
Background about Jermaine Nakia Lee: He’s a songwriter, director, producer, arts educator and published playwright whose musicals FOR THE LOVE OF HARLEM (FLH) and A WALK IN MY SHOES (AWIMS) have enjoyed critical acclaim, sold out audiences and national tours. For 8 years, Lee was program manager for a 501c3, federally-funded community center for at-risk youth/young adults called THE POWERHOUSE PROJECT off Beatties Ford Rd. Mr. Lee is the former Education Director for OnQ Performing Arts, Inc. OnQ is Charlotte’s first professional African-American repertory theatre.
