The community bread program is a volunteer-led effort where community members bake and donate sourdough bread for distribution through SAFE’s Choice Food Pantry. SAFE provides the sourdough starter, and the donated loaves are shared directly with individuals and families in our community—turning a familiar tradition into an act of care and connection.   

SAFE was founded in 2013 as Southern Alamance Family Empowerment in response to the growing needs of individuals and families facing poverty in southern Alamance County, North Carolina

Alamance County Health Department Public Health Educator II, Tara France began planning and coordinating this project in late 2025 and officially launched this project in January 2026.

As of 2/11/2026: Seventeen health department employees have joined the SAFE Community Bread Project, baking and donating homemade loaves to local food pantries. So far, 10 loaves have been turned in, and they were gone within one hour of the pantry opening — a powerful reminder of the impact this simple act can have. This initiative is about more than bread; it’s about neighbors caring for neighbors and offering comfort and dignity through fresh, homemade food.

As of 3/12/2026: ACHD is now in their 7th donation cycle with at least 26 participants and have donated 55 loaves of bread towards the Community Bread Project.  Staff from Dental, Environmental Health, DSS, and several department heads have participated to make this possible.