By Connie Leinbach
Ocracoke’s Bread of Life Food Pantry took home more than $20,000 on Dec. 5 after a raffle that included two of best-selling author Patricia Cornwell’s books ended.
The raffle was conducted by Leslie Lanier, owner of the island’s bookstore Books to be Red, after Cornwell herself made a surprise visit to the shop on earlier in the week.
She gave two autographed copies to Lanier, who decide to raffle them off for the benefit of the island’s food pantry operated by the Life Saving Church.
When Cornwell heard about the raffle, she then offered to match sales up to $10,000
Word spread on social media and Lanier found herself filling out more than 4,000 tickets from internet and Venmo sales for a total of $10,590.
“I had customers, sorority sisters, church friends, high school friends, elementary school friends, friends from Ocracoke, residents, former residents and the list goes on,” Lanier said about the myriad ticket buyers, whom she thanked. “That’s a lot of tickets.”
She also added several items from her shop to the raffle.
A few islanders were on hand to help choose the winners. As Piland, Ruth Toth and Karen Lovejoy drew the winning tickets, Lanier seemed to know almost all of them.
One of the winners, Kathie Hollingshead, who won a dish towel and cutting board, gave a “huge donation,” Lanier said, and she told Lanier to call her to let her know “how much was left because we were so close (to $10,000).”
“We’re just astounded by the kindness of everyone,” said Life Saving Church Pastor Tim Howard about the event. “It’s just really, really unbelievable. Truly amazing.”
Islanders Allison Serafin and Crystal Hardt won the two Cornwell books and 11 others (including Mangus) received the items Lanier had contributed from the shop.
Serafin was excited to have won because she loves Cornwell.
“I’ve read her books for years,” she said. “Leslie’s bookstore is part of the heart of this island. Everybody comes through there because everybody reads and wants good books.”
The Ocracoke pantry receives food from the Food Bank of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City and like all food pantries, Ocracoke’s pantry needs money.
Howard said the fundraiser was timely but while the pantry was doing well at the moment, they hadn’t been able to get as much from Albemarle.
He’s hoping to source more food from inside the island, acknowledging the recent food drives by the Future Business Leaders of America Club, the Ocracoke School Beta Club and the United Methodist Church for nonperishable items.
Ocracoke Island Realty donated 10 Thanksgiving dinners. Others have sent money, which enables him to buy meat and other frozen items from local grocers.
“We’re not out of meat but we’re starting to get low,” he said.
With cash, the food pantry can purchase meat: chicken breasts, ground beef and sometime steaks.
The pantry serves 10 to 12 island families each month, he said.
Howard said visitors to the island are welcome to drop off unused groceries on the pantry’s front porch as they depart.
Those wishing to donate perishable items should call Howard in advance at 304-676-3308 so that these items can be stored properly.
You can also have food shipped directly to the pantry by visiting the pantry food list on Amazon.
Anyone wishing to make a tax-deductible donation may do so online at www.lifesaving.church or mail a check to Bread of Life Food Pantry, P.O. Box 68, Ocracoke, NC 27960.
