Local News

Free meals provided throughout summer by CCS

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Wednesday, 08 July 2026

Written by Katie Herring

When school lets out at the end of May, most kids are jumping for joy and can’t wait for weeks on end of sleeping late, trips to swimming pools, vacations, camps, and more.  But for a lot of kids in our community, being on break from school means missing out on the availability of a reliable lunch Monday through Friday.  The Cumberland County School Child Nutrition department is on a mission to fill that gap for most of the summer for as many kids as possible.

From June 1 through July 31, Child Nutrition Services provides free lunches to kids 18 and younger at locations throughout Cumberland County.  There is no income requirement to receive these free meals.  They are offered on a first-come, first-served basis; no registration required.  Children must be present to receive a meal, and the meals must be eaten on site.

These meals provide kids with important nutrients needed to support growing bodies, but are still fun foods that kids want to eat.  Each meal includes vegetables, fruit, and cold milk.  A complete menu of what meals are served on which days throughout June and July can be found on the Child Nutrition Services website.

Meals are available at the following locations:

• Cliffdale Rec Center @ 6404 Cliffdale Rd., Fayetteville

• College Lakes Elementary @ 4963 Rosehill Rd., Fayetteville

• Hope Mills Municipal Park @ 5766 Rockfish Rd., Hope Mills

• Kiwanis Rec Center @ 352 Devers St, Fayetteville

• Lake Rim Elementary @ 1455 Hoke Loop Rd., Fayetteville

• Massey Hill Rec Center @ 1612 Camden Rd., Fayetteville

• Mendoza Park @ 1774 Little River Rd., Spring Lake

• Roy Turner Park @ 4623 Blanton Rd., Fayetteville

• Smith Rec Center @ 1520 Slater Ave, Fayetteville

• Spring Lake Library @ 101 Laketree Blvd., Spring Lake

• Spring Lake Rec Center @ 245 Ruth St, Spring Lake

• Sunnyside Elementary @ 3876 Sunnyside School Rd., Fayetteville

• Walker Spivey Elementary @ 500 Fisher St, Fayetteville

• Westover Rec Center @ 267 Bonanza Dr., Fayetteville

Meal distribution times do vary at different locations, but are all between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.  For specific pick-up times at the location nearest you, check the Child Nutrition Services website at www.ccs.k12.nc.us/page/child-nutrition-services.

In addition to locations and meal times, you will also find additional information about each location.  Many meal locations are at schools and recreation centers that also have activities for kids and families to enjoy while they are getting their lunches, such as playgrounds, splash pads, and gymnasiums.  Not all locations have additional amenities, so be sure to check out the website for details.

While summer should be a time of rest and fun for school-aged kids, it’s hard to enjoy the free time when you are hungry.  And the reality for many families is that they depend on meals provided at school to fill gaps in what is available at home, from August through May.  Cumberland County Schools wants to make sure to continue to fill those gaps, even when the classrooms are empty. This is why each summer, the Child Nutrition Services works hard to get meals distributed to kids who need them, all around Cumberland County.  For additional information, check https://www.ccs.k12.nc.us/page/child-nutrition-services or call 910-678-2502.

When school lets out at the end of May, most kids are jumping for joy and can’t wait for weeks on end of sleeping late, trips to swimming pools, vacations, camps, and more.  But for a lot of kids in our community, being on break from school means missing out on the availability of a reliable lunch Monday through Friday.  The Cumberland County School Child Nutrition department is on a mission to fill that gap for most of the summer for as many kids as possible.

From June 1 through July 31, Child Nutrition Services provides free lunches to kids 18 and younger at locations throughout Cumberland County.  There is no income requirement to receive these free meals.  They are offered on a first-come, first-served basis; no registration required.  Children must be present to receive a meal, and the meals must be eaten on site.

These meals provide kids with important nutrients needed to support growing bodies, but are still fun foods that kids want to eat.  Each meal includes vegetables, fruit, and cold milk.  A complete menu of what meals are served on which days throughout June and July can be found on the Child Nutrition Services website.

Meals are available at the following locations:

• Cliffdale Rec Center @ 6404 Cliffdale Rd., Fayetteville

• College Lakes Elementary @ 4963 Rosehill Rd., Fayetteville

• Hope Mills Municipal Park @ 5766 Rockfish Rd., Hope Mills

• Kiwanis Rec Center @ 352 Devers St, Fayetteville

• Lake Rim Elementary @ 1455 Hoke Loop Rd., Fayetteville

• Massey Hill Rec Center @ 1612 Camden Rd., Fayetteville

• Mendoza Park @ 1774 Little River Rd., Spring Lake

• Roy Turner Park @ 4623 Blanton Rd., Fayetteville

• Smith Rec Center @ 1520 Slater Ave, Fayetteville

• Spring Lake Library @ 101 Laketree Blvd., Spring Lake

• Spring Lake Rec Center @ 245 Ruth St, Spring Lake

• Sunnyside Elementary @ 3876 Sunnyside School Rd., Fayetteville

• Walker Spivey Elementary @ 500 Fisher St, Fayetteville

• Westover Rec Center @ 267 Bonanza Dr., Fayetteville

Meal distribution times do vary at different locations, but are all between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.  For specific pick-up times at the location nearest you, check the Child Nutrition Services website at www.ccs.k12.nc.us/page/child-nutrition-services.

In addition to locations and meal times, you will also find additional information about each location.  Many meal locations are at schools and recreation centers that also have activities for kids and families to enjoy while they are getting their lunches, such as playgrounds, splash pads, and gymnasiums.  Not all locations have additional amenities, so be sure to check out the website for details.

While summer should be a time of rest and fun for school-aged kids, it’s hard to enjoy the free time when you are hungry.  And the reality for many families is that they depend on meals provided at school to fill gaps in what is available at home, from August through May.  Cumberland County Schools wants to make sure to continue to fill those gaps, even when the classrooms are empty. This is why each summer, the Child Nutrition Services works hard to get meals distributed to kids who need them, all around Cumberland County.  For additional information, check https://www.ccs.k12.nc.us/page/child-nutrition-services or call 910-678-2502.

Every Step Matters: Fayetteville rallies behind Walk to End Alzheimer’s

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Wednesday, 08 July 2026

Written by Jaime Bishop

For one night in June, Fayetteville took on a different glow.

Several city landmarks were illuminated in purple, joining communities across the country in recognizing Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. The color served as more than a visual display; it was a reminder that millions of Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease and that countless families in Cumberland County are quietly navigating the daily realities of memory loss, caregiving and uncertainty.

While June’s awareness campaign has ended, the work continues.

The Alzheimer’s Association is already preparing for the 2026 Walk to End Alzheimer’s, scheduled for Oct. 24 in downtown Fayetteville. Months before participants gather at Festival Park, organizers are encouraging businesses, churches, civic organizations and families to begin forming teams and raising support for what has become the world’s largest fundraiser dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than seven million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease, and nearly 12 million family members and friends provide unpaid care for loved ones facing dementia. In North Carolina alone, more than 210,000 people are living with the disease, a number expected to rise as the state’s population continues to age.

For Kara Harrington, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications for the Alzheimer’s Association in North Carolina, awareness begins with helping communities understand that Alzheimer’s is not simply a normal part of aging.

“Every person who registers, donates or participates in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s helps move us closer to our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia,” Harrington said. 

That mission extends well beyond a single October morning.

The annual walk funds research aimed at improving treatment options while supporting local education programs, caregiver resources, community outreach and the Association’s free, 24-hour Helpline. For many families, those services become a lifeline after receiving one of life’s most difficult diagnoses.

The Fayetteville walk has grown steadily over the years, bringing together hundreds of participants whose reasons for walking are deeply personal. Some honor a parent or grandparent. Others remember spouses, siblings or lifelong friends. Many walk alongside loved ones who are still living with the disease, creating moments of hope in the midst of a difficult journey.

The community’s commitment to raising awareness will continue throughout the summer.

The Fayetteville Woodpeckers are once again partnering with the Alzheimer’s Association by hosting an Alzheimer’s Awareness Night, Aug. 28. The event will combine America’s pastime with opportunities to educate fans about brain health, available resources and the importance of supporting research that could one day lead to a cure.

Community partnerships like these have become increasingly important as advocates work to reach individuals who may not otherwise seek information about Alzheimer’s until it affects someone close to them.

For Harrington, one of the Association’s greatest strengths is its ability to bring people together around a shared purpose.

“The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is about hope, community and making sure no family faces this disease alone,” she said, encouraging residents to become involved.

That message resonates throughout Cumberland County, where caregivers often shoulder tremendous emotional, physical and financial responsibilities while caring for loved ones whose memories gradually fade.

The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that family caregivers contribute billions of dollars in unpaid care each year. Beyond the financial impact lies the emotional weight of watching someone slowly lose the ability to recognize familiar faces, recall treasured memories or complete everyday tasks independently.

Those realities make awareness efforts like Fayetteville’s purple landmarks especially meaningful. They encourage conversations that many families postpone until a diagnosis forces them to confront the disease.

Organizers say the Walk to End Alzheimer’s offers more than fundraising. It creates a visible reminder that no caregiver walks alone and no family has to navigate Alzheimer’s without support.

As October approaches, organizers hope to see new teams joining longtime participants in downtown Fayetteville. Whether walking in honor of a loved one, in memory of someone lost or simply in support of future generations, every participant helps advance research while strengthening local services for families living with dementia.

The purple lights that briefly illuminated Fayetteville have gone dark, but their message continues to shine.

This October, hundreds of footsteps will once again carry that message forward one mile, one family and one memory at a time.

For more information, or to start a team, visit https://bit.ly/4gRMCvT

Shaping the future: Callie Tisdale’s inspiring journey to the Civics Bee National Finals

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Wednesday, 08 July 2026

Written by Katie Herring

In an era where civic engagement is more critical than ever, a new generation of young leaders is stepping up to prove that age is no barrier to making a meaningful impact. Among these bright minds is Callie Tisdale, an eighth-grade Fayetteville Academy student whose sharp critical thinking, deep understanding of government and passion for her community have propelled her to the top of a prestigious national stage.

The National Civics Bee, organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is a competitive program designed to encourage middle school students to engage with their communities. According to the Foundation, students who participate "gain knowledge about American democracy, practice engaging respectfully and constructively and build trust in others and institutions."

For Callie, entering the competition was a natural choice. As someone who has always been fascinated by history and government, which was further fueled by her seventh-grade civics class, she jumped at the opportunity when her English teacher presented the idea of competing in the Civics Bee.

The first step of the competition required submitting an essay identifying a local problem and proposing a civic-minded solution. Callie chose to tackle a heavy and deeply critical issue affecting her community: human trafficking in Cumberland County.

In her essay, Callie argued for the urgent need to raise awareness by collaborating with local organizations like the Child Advocacy Center and local law enforcement, as well as utilizing the powerful stories of survivors. To bridge the gap between awareness and action, she proposed creating a centralized website to consolidate vital resources, making it easier for people to access help and information. As Callie wrote in her essay:

“With the horrid nature of these acts, we need a system in place that will prevent it. Helping this issue will help everyone feel safer 

in our city.”

Instead of allowing this idea to remain theoretical, Callie took her ideas beyond the page, the webpage, that is.  While she is working to build the website, she has launched an Instagram account titled WRATH (Websites for Resources Against Trafficking Humans), which can be found at @the.wrath111. The significance of 111 is that January 11 is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.  This digital platform serves as the first step in her mission to consolidate resources and spread awareness, proving that her essay was not just a competition entry but a blueprint for real-world change.

The journey of the National Civics Bee is a demanding, multi-tiered sequence. The competition begins at the regional level, where students take part in a live quiz and a Q&A session defending their essays. The top three contestants from each regional event advance to the State Finals.

Callie excelled at the regional level, held in Fayetteville this year, earning her ticket to the state competition. Throughout the progression of the bee, competitors must stick to their original essay and core problem. However, they are permitted to adapt their ideas and expand upon their solutions. In Callie’s case, her original solution involved going into schools to help raise awareness of human trafficking and helping her peers understand how they could help prevent it.  However, as she continued through the competition, she realized how time-consuming and labor-intensive that could be, and that by creating digital resources, more people could be reached and helped. Callie used this opportunity to refine her digital resource strategy, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of public policy and community organizing.

Her hard work, poise and thoroughly researched solutions have not gone unnoticed. Callie not only held her own against the brightest minds in the state, but she won the entire North Carolina State competition. Reflecting on the environment, Callie shared a sentiment that highlights the true spirit of the event:  “It’s really fun to compete with people who have similar interests.”

By capturing the state title, Callie has earned the opportunity to represent North Carolina at the National Civics Bee National Championship in Washington, D.C.  The stakes at the national level are incredibly high. Finalists from across the country will compete not only for prestigious recognition but also for a life-changing $100,000 contribution to a 529 college savings plan.

Through her brilliant analytical skills, dedication to public service, and willingness to tackle difficult conversations, Callie Tisdale is proving that the next generation is ready to lead. As she prepares to take her ideas to the nation's capital, Cumberland County stands proudly behind a young leader who is actively working to make her community a safer place.

(Photo: Callie Tisdale won the North Carolina State Civics Bee after earning her spot at the Regional Civics Bee held in Fayetteville. She will compete in Washington DC in the nation wide competition later this year. Photo courtesy of Karen Tisdale)

Summer of Hope creates community one Thursday at a time

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Tuesday, 07 July 2026

Written by Tiffany Haywood

Before the first family arrives, volunteers are already at work.

Local business Flip Flop Sauce joins Gate Beautiful's crew at the grill, serving hot dogs while children gather around a nearby face-painting tent. An inflatable slide welcomes younger guests, and under one large tent, families sit together, share a meal and spend the evening in conversation.

It doesn't take long to realize Gate Beautiful isn't simply hosting an event. It's intentionally building something much harder to earn: trust.

Most people think trust is built when someone tells the truth. But trust is also built through consistency—showing up again and again, exactly as promised.

That's the idea behind Summer of Hope, a free weekly community gathering hosted by Gate Beautiful every Thursday at 6 p.m. through Aug. 13 at Christ Covenant Baptist Church at 5200 Bragg Blvd. Made possible through the City of Fayetteville Office of Community Safety's Safe Space Activation Grant, the 10-week program offers food, activities and access to community resources while creating a place where relationships can grow.

"This kind of thing is something we've wanted to do for a really long time, but we just haven't had the capacity to do it," said Abbie Arena of Gate Beautiful. "The grant definitely provided that capacity for us."

Although participating organizations could host two events each month through the grant, Gate Beautiful chose a different approach: returning to the same location every Thursday.

"We chose to stay in the same spot every time... to establish that consistency in that neighborhood, to be able to build trust and really just show up for people consistently," Arena said.

Before volunteers realized I was there as a reporter, they approached me just as they did every other attendee. They took the time to introduce themselves, learn my name, ask about my family and welcome me as a newcomer. Nothing felt hurried or scripted. It wasn't about moving me through a line or directing me to a registration table. It was about getting to know me and making me feel like I already belonged.

Arena said that's exactly the goal.

"Maybe on week one, someone's not quite ready," she said. "But maybe by week four or five they've established enough of a relationship to realize, 'Okay, you're the real deal,' and feel comfortable asking for the help they need."

Sometimes, that relationship begins with something as simple as friendship.

During the program's third week, volunteers celebrated the birthday of a returning participant who had been facing difficult circumstances. It was simply the natural result of taking the time to know one another.

"It's starting to feel more and more like a little community," Arena said. "They're just accepting friendship, and that's really what we wanted — to establish that community."

District 8 City Council member Shaun McMillan said the Safe Space Activation Grant, funded through the City of Fayetteville Office of Community Safety and led by Director John Jones, is designed to strengthen organizations before crises occur rather than to respond afterward. The office awarded reimbursement grants to four local organizations, including Gate Beautiful.

"Too often we focus on the outcomes," McMillan said. "In a preventive way, they're pouring into organizations and the spaces that provide safety and meet people's needs."

He said programs like Summer of Hope are "creating opportunities for people to come together in a strong community."

Gate Beautiful, which supports individuals impacted by human trafficking through case management, legal advocacy, rehabilitation referrals, detox services and other support, created Summer of Hope to become a bridge long before someone reaches the point of asking for help.

Attendance grew from 33 participants during the first week to nearly 60 during the second. By the third week, volunteers were greeting familiar faces, and families were bringing friends along.

What stayed with me most wasn't the hot dogs, the inflatable slide or the face painting.

It was the people.

The volunteers weren't simply serving dinner. They were listening. They weren't checking off a task list. They were investing in relationships that may one day become the bridge between someone realizing they need help and feeling safe enough to ask for it.

Summer of Hope continues each Thursday at 6 p.m. through Aug. 13 at Christ Covenant Baptist Church. Arena also credited Christ Covenant Baptist Church for opening its campus and providing the space for the weekly gatherings, the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office for providing security and volunteer support, and Vigilant Hope for serving alongside Gate Beautiful throughout the summer.

The free program is open to the community, offering families an opportunity to enjoy a summer evening together while discovering resources, support and a community committed to showing up week after week.

Because sometimes hope begins with knowing that when you come back next Thursday, you'll see a familiar face, hear your name and realize you're no longer walking into a crowd—you're walking back to a community.

 (Photo: Gate Beautiful's Summer of Hope is held every Thursday at Christ Covenant Baptist Church from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Photos by Tiffany Haywood)