🌱 Famous Chicken Place To Open In NC Colleges + Vegan Chef Challenge

Hello, everybody. I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through all the most important things happening in town. Today's briefing includes...

• A food pantry in north Charlotte seeks donations to feed people who are in need.
• Charlotte restaurants to take part in the first annual Charlotte Vegan Chef Challenge.
• Billy D's Fried Chicken is coming soon to universities across North Carolina.

But first, today's weather:

Times of clouds and sun. High: 75 Low: 50.

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Here are the top five stories in Charlotte today:

1. A local food pantry in north Charlotte is seeking donations to feed people who are in need. It's always been the goal of Hope Street Food Pantry to help others. People who are in need do not need to show an ID, referral or financial documents to prove need because this place calls itself a “no judgment zone.” Pastor Mike Field said it "started four years ago out of a little old house serving just a few families." Nowadays Hope Street Food Pantry has 25 volunteers onsite and this local pantry is "making a huge impact in north Charlotte's 28269 ZIP code and beyond. ... On a monthly basis, Hope Street Food Pantry serves about 3,000 people. ... The pantry provides at least a three-day supply of food per household weekly, including everything from fresh produce and meat to dairy products," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
2. If you want to adopt a vegan diet, this local challenge may help launch your new food journey! "Several restaurants across the Charlotte area are taking part in the first Charlotte Vegan Chef Challenge. According to the food events coordinator for Vegan Outreach, Yuri Mitzkewich, with veganism becoming more and more mainstream, restaurants all across Charlotte are adding options to accommodate their growing number of vegan diners. Here's how the challenge works: During this time, restaurants throughout the Charlotte area will feature special vegan menu items. Diners have the opportunity to go out, enjoy meals, vote, comment and post photos of the delicious vegan meals they have ordered," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
3. "The former president of a Charlotte high school booster club and his wife were sentenced to prison after stealing more than $239,000 from the organization. ... According to U.S. Attorney Dena King, 42-year-old Anthony Sharper was sentenced to 30 months in jail followed by two years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a money judgment of approximately $310,832. Prosecutors said Anthony Sharper was also sentenced for obtaining over $236,000 in COVID-19 relief funds to cover up the theft from the South Mecklenburg High School Sports Boosters," WBTV reports. (WBTV)
4. Billy D's Fried Chicken is expanding to universities across North Carolina! Students on campuses across the state will soon have this dining option available on school grounds. An opening is scheduled for Elon University this month and another planned for Wake Forest University soon. "The fast-casual eatery serves Southern-fried chicken sandwiches and iconic sides such as watermelon salad, macaroni and cheese, waffle fries and coleslaw. What makes Dissen’s menu different than other fast-food chicken spots is his dedication to sourcing ingredients from sustainably-operated organic farms in North Carolina," Eater reports. (Eater)
5. "Duck Donuts has announced the grand opening of its third Charlotte location on Saturday, Oct. 29, with plans to host a Family Fun Day to celebrate the occasion. According to a news release, the newest shop will open in the Rea Farms Shopping Center in south Charlotte and will join locations in Dilworth and Huntersville under franchisee Andre Walters. Attendees at the grand opening event can enjoy donut tastings and live face painting for kids. The first customer in line when doors open at 6 a.m. will receive a Duck Donuts gift basket filled with merchandise and one free dozen donuts per month for a year," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)

Patch deals of the day:

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(Patch may earn a commission on purchases. All deals are as of publication and could change.)

Today in Charlotte:

• Charlotte Regional Farmers Market (8:00 a.m.)
• Heart & Vascular Institute Hiring Event at the Novant Health Weisiger Cancer Institute (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office Hiring Event at NCWorks Career Center (9:00 a.m.)
• Food Truck Lunch in Southpark at Fairview Plaza (11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.)
• Charlotte Job Fair at NCWorks Career Center (11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.)
• LEADing Up - Leadership Program 2022 (3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• Pumpkin Day at Towerview at Ballantyne (4:00 p.m.)
• Dine & Dash Charlotte at Firebirds Wood Fired Grill (4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.)
• Wednesday Night Live in Uptown Charlotte at Levine Center for the Arts (5:00 p.m.)
• Women in Business: Dare to Jump | Matthews Chamber of Commerce (5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.)
• Dancing with the Stars at Middle C Jazz (6:30 p.m.)
• Wednesday Night Live: UNC Charlotte Orchestral Performance at Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture (6:30 p.m.)
• Moffett Vineyards Wine Dinner at Red Salt by David Burke (7:00 p.m.)
• Randy Feltface show at The Comedy Zone (7:00 p.m.)
• R&B Soundstage Reloaded at STATS Restaurant & Bar (7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Thank you to everyone that stopped by to support Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and Safe Alliance at this past weekend's - Tunes, Food, Dance & Brews at Armored Cow Brewing Company! (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department via Facebook)
• As we prepare for the holiday season, and everyone prepares to spend some quality time with their families, we are spending some time with a few families within CMPD. This week, we are talking to the Sinnott brothers. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department via Facebook)
• Composer Michael Abels invites you to hear his chilling score brought to life by the CSO at Get Out in Concert on Nov. 4 at Belk Theater. BOGO FREE with code GETOUT through Oct. 31! Get tickets >> bit.ly/csogetout (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• What are you looking for in a new superintendent? We need your input before Nov. 18. Help us in the search for a leader for our school district. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• Sing along and dance in your seat to your favorite songs by ABBA! Join the CSO in paying tribute to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame artists at The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA on Nov. 11 and Nov. 12 at Knight Theater. Get tickets >> bit.ly/cso-abba (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• Jerseys & Jewels Silent Auction is NOW OPEN for bidding! Sports fanatics and Clemson fans! Support RMHC of GC and #KeepingFamiliesClose by bidding on this once-in-a-lifetime purchase, an autographed Dabo Swinney Clemson football. (Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte via Facebook)
• Caring for families from all over the world right here in Charlotte, we showcase and celebrate all holidays. Diwali, also known as Divali or Deepawali, is a major festival celebrated over five days in many parts of India. (Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte via Facebook)
• Recently several participants became certified as mental health first aiders. Here is some feedback. Thanks for participating! (Brave Step via Facebook)
• Let your voice be heard! Join us on Oct. 27 for our Comprehensive Review virtual session focused on our “Boundary Development Process.” For more information on this specific session and others, head here: https://bit.ly/cmscompreview (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• Oct. 29, come join us for a cup of courage. (Brave Step via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday! See you all tomorrow for your next update.

— Alexis Goring

About me: My name is Alexis A. Goring. I'm an East Coast Girl with a pulse for people, news and feature stories! I've worked as a freelance writer/editor/proofreader in the media industry for 15 years. I'm also a published author, experienced blogger, and founder of Writer at Heart Editorial Services. Visit my website for more details about me and my work. Here's the link: https://alexisagoring.jimdofree.com.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Charlotte Daily? Contact me at charlotte@patch.com