CHARLOTTE, N.C. — For over 20 years a Charlotte nonprofit has stepped in when North Carolinians needed some help putting breakfast, lunch and dinner on the table.

What You Need To Know

  • Spectrum News 1 is recognizing Care to Share Outreach Center Founder and Executive Director Hattie McNealy as an Everyday Hero

  • After working for the Charlotte Public Housing Authority and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, McNealy started the Charlotte nonprofit over 20 years ago

  • The mission is to provide services that will help end suffering in the Charlotte community by providing food and clothing to people in need

Hattie McNealy, affectionately known as “Ms. Hattie,” has been behind the effort as the founder and executive director of Care to Share Outreach Center.

“God said feed my sheep. When he said feed them, not only spiritually, but you got to feed them with food,” said McNealy.

Many of her clients work but have low-wage jobs.

“I’m grateful and thankful. Some of the families is seven and eight people, but they only get one box because we have to service so many people," said McNealy.

Care to Share client Emma Blakeney has 14 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

She says she’s thankful for the help over the years raising her high school and college graduates.

“Ms. Hattie’s food helped with these children’s success here. I just love Ms. Hattie. Thank you for being my mother when I needed you, when I couldn’t survive for my kids or my grandkids. Thank you so much Ms. Hattie, and I love you to the moon and back and always will,” said Blakeney.

McNealy credits her late mom, her daughter and her goddaughter with inspiring her to keep the nonprofit going.