Lake Norman Chamber Board Chair David Keith presented Cindy Deutsch, Director of Development and Board Member Leslie Bragg from Angels and Sparrows with the John R. Cherry Community Service Award.  Also present was Chamber Founder John Cherry, for whom the award is named.

Keith shared with the more than 200 community and business leaders, "In 2022, Angels & Sparrows Food Security Programs reached 500 families and provided 227,329 meals. They have also partnered with several for-profit and non-profit partners to execute our Pathway Program's two-generation framework that will lead adults to a career path that impacts their household income and improve outcomes for their children.

Twenty-six families comprising sixty-six individuals are currently enrolled. Classes are offered two days per week. Adult students participate in a 2-hour ESL or GED class onsite. School-aged youth participate in a companion literacy program for the first hour and subject matter tutoring for the second hour.

School-age teens participate in tutoring, mentoring, college and career readiness workshops, and, if applicable, ACT/SAT prep courses. The program began as an innovative pilot in 2020. We've provided 2,600 hours of educational programming since launching the program in July 2022.

With their volunteer force of more than 200 individuals and the generosity of donors and community partners, Angels is taking hunger off the table for families who are struggling and providing them with the opportunity for a fresh start."