SALISBURY — Actions in Faith & Justice continues the Focus on Food Security Series with a presentation by Hope Oliphant, executive director of Main Street Marketplace and Meeting Place: Re-Defining Charity for Long-term Impact.

Oliphant’s presentation will focus on widening charitable perspectives on addressing hunger, including approaches that recognize the root causes of food insecurity. She explores engaging holistic, person-centered approaches to increase the collaborative and collective impact of community efforts. The event will be held on April 23 at Rowan Public Library headquarters in Salisbury from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The event is free and all are welcome.

Oliphant facilitates a variety of classes and workshops, including Bridges out of Poverty and Responsible Charity. She leads strategic initiatives geared toward creating long-term community development with a focus on shifting from a traditional charity approach to more holistic and sustainable models. Those initiatives include the development of the Marketplace and hydroponic garden as well as the Meeting Place, which offers classes and workshops designed to address a variety of lifestyle and mental health needs. 

The Focus on Food Security Series follows up on Rowan County’s 2024 Annual National Day of Racial Healing guided by input gathered from those who attended in order to bring ideas and information that raise community awareness and foster responsive actions that address local food insecurity.