By Shelby Carroll

Saturday mornings at the Salisbury Farmers Market, the Donation Station stands ready with a simple mission: to turn fresh, local produce into nourishment for neighbors in need. Run by the Rowan County Cooperative Extension, the station collects fresh fruits, vegetables and monetary donations from market-goers and vendors — all of which are shared with Rowan County Meals On Wheels.

The Donation Station helps bridge the gap between abundance and access, ensuring that more people in Rowan County can enjoy the benefits of healthy, farm-fresh food. It’s a community-driven effort that thrives because of volunteers who give their time to make it all possible.

Volunteers are the heart of the station

From setting up and greeting shoppers to collecting donations and sharing the station’s mission, volunteers are essential to the station’s success. Their efforts help raise awareness about food insecurity while making it easy for others to give back in a meaningful way.

Why volunteer?

• Fight local hunger: Help provide healthy food to families across Rowan County.
• Be part of something positive: The Donation Station brings together kindness, community and purpose.
• No experience needed: Training is provided — just bring your enthusiasm.
• Flexible commitment: Even one shift a month can make a big difference. Last year, we raised over 900 pounds of fresh produce for our community.

Whether you’re a student, retiree or just someone who wants to give back, there’s a place for you at the Donation Station.

Join the movement

Want to get involved? Volunteering is easy and impactful. To learn more or sign up, contact Shelby Carroll at shelby_carroll@ncsu.edu or visit the Donation Station at the Salisbury Farmers Market on May 3.

Together, we can turn local produce into local progress — one donation at a time.

Shelby Carroll is agriculture and natural resources extension agent with the Rowan County Cooperative Extension.