Rachel Ayers is a powerful force for good in her community. She is the Executive Director of Helping and Healing Hearts, Inc., an organization fighting hunger in Johnston County. Her deep connection to the community allows her to distribute fresh produce and other much-needed food to people in rural areas who might otherwise struggle to access these resources. This community connection also makes Rachel a key partner of Inter-Faith Food Shuttle. She has been serving children, families, and seniors as Director of the Johnston County Mobile Market since 2015. She has also worked to connect the Food Shuttle to communities in need in Selma, Smithfield, Princeton, Wilson Mills, and Kenly. When the Food Shuttle started a pilot program serving rural seniors living with Type 2 diabetes, Rachel helped connect us to other agencies and recruited participants for the program. When asked how they found out about this program, over 20% of participants said that they had heard about the program through Rachel!
Rachel’s passion for serving her community made her the perfect choice to nominate for 7th Annual Food Lion Feedys Awards, which honor people who go above and beyond to fight hunger. She received the Lion Heart Award in recognition of her outstanding skills in coordinating and motivating volunteers. Rachel says, “I was overwhelmed and honored by receiving the award and as I have attached a copy of a picture of me holding the Crystal Clear Circular Shaped Award bearing my name - it truly represents many faces, who caught sight of what God called me to do and came alongside of me to help carry out the calling to feed my community. “
Rachel’s team is made up entirely of volunteers- including Rachel herself! Rachel’s passion for people makes her an incredible team builder. She works as hard or harder than any person on her team and shows care, concern, and consideration for each of her team members. At least once a year, Rachel honors her volunteers and their service with a luncheon or dinner. One of the main testaments to Rachel’s leadership abilities is the fact that many of the people who volunteer with Helping and Healing Hearts are from organizations she has helped before.
Rachel Ayer’s partnership with the Food Shuttle goes a long way toward serving our neighbors in Johnston County. We are proud to call Rachel a member of the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle family, and are thankful to Food Lion for recognizing all of her incredible work. Congratulations to Rachel Ayers for being honored with the Food Lion Feedys Lion Heart Award. Thank you, Rachel, for all you do to help create a hunger free community!