Hatteras Island is a strong community, but is still hurting in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene. Many Hatteras Island Food Pantry (run by the Buxton United Methodist Men) supplies that normally sustain the island through the winter have been depleted, going to families that lost everything from the storm.

We are grateful to have many guests and friends from all over that have expressed interest in helping out our community. Surf or Sound Realty’s Avon office is an official drop-off location for the Hatteras Island Food Pantry, as well as Irene’s Giving Tree.

When you walk into our office you will find three boxes. Two boxes are for collections for the Hatteras Island Food Pantry. One is for the Buxton United Methodist Men and the other is for Daisy Troop 4175 from Cape Hatteras Elementary School, also collecting for the Pantry.

Items accepted include: non-perishable food, pet food, toiletries, personal items and cleaning supplies. When making a non-perishable food donation, perhaps try to think in terms of a complete meal – such as a box of spaghetti, a jar of sauce, parmesan cheese, a can of vegetables and a can of fruit. All can be purchased at a dollar store totaling around $5.

Also, if you are vacationing and you have left-over non-perishable food, please do not throw it away. Bring it to our office and place it in our drop-off box. Your donations go a long way through the winter!

Monetary donations are also accepted for the HIFP and can be made by check to United Methodist Men and sent to Hatteras Island Food Pantry at P.O. Box 1591, Buxton, N.C. 27920. Your donation is tax deductible.

The third box in our Avon office is for Irene’s Giving Tree. A couple of students at Cape Hatteras Secondary School with huge hearts decided to start a community service project for families affected by Hurricane Irene. They are collecting Christmas decorations for families that lost theirs in the storm. Ornaments, tree skirts, lights, Christmas Trees, etc. can be placed in our drop-off box in our Avon office. If you would like to mail a donation, the shipping address is: Irene’s Giving Tree, 47468 Hwy 12, Buxton, NC 27920. Monetary donations can be made out to CHSS DECA and mailed to: Irene’s Giving Tree, PO Box 71, Buxton NC 27920.

The Really Really Free Market is also in need and still accepting donations for items. The following is the most recent list of needed/requested items for Hatteras Island residents:

Dish detergent and Laundry Detergent
Diapers and wipes, baby powder
Throw Rugs, Area Rugs (Carpet Remnants)
Non perishable food items, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner fixings and any kind of non-perishable (canned or dried) proteins, and children’s snacks
(Gently Used) furniture, especially beds – refrigerators, stoves **Any homeowners, especially part time property owners, who may be trading out furniture or appliances, please let us know so we can arrange for someone who needs them to use your “tradeouts”
3T Boys Clothing – jackets/sweatshirts, pants, socks
Cat Food/Kitty Littler
Plastic totes with lids
Halloween Candy and small toys for Trick Or Treat / Halloween Costumes
New pillows
Sweatshirts (especially ‘hoodies’)
Christmas Ornaments and Christmas Lights
Boys clothing, size 6 to 18
Basketball shorts, basketball shoes (kids 5-17 years old)
Tools (many tri-village and Avon residents used their tools to make a living, and lost them in the storm)
Bookcases or display racks (for Really Free Market to borrow and return)

SHIPPING ADDRESS FOR DONATIONS OF ‘ITEMS’ for the Really Really Free Market
Hatteras Island Family Medicine
Attn: Alex Hodges
50204 Water Association Road
Frisco, NC 27936

Surf or Sound Realty sends a huge THANK YOU to everyone for their care! Hatteras Island is a loved place and we are lucky to share it with you!