Pastor Doug Lattimore's Mission to Bring Food and Hope to Every Doorstep

Cabarrus County is a community that embraces people with big ideas and even bigger hearts. For Pastor Doug Lattimore, that spirit of collaboration has helped transform a simple act of generosity into an innovative ministry that is changing the way people access food and essential resources.

As the founder and pastor of Solo Faith Church, Doug believes a church should be more than a place of worship. It should be deeply connected to the community it serves.

"When I started pastoring, it was important that I find what I had lost growing up, which was that sense of community," he says. "You can live somewhere and still feel isolated. I wanted Solo Faith Church to be a true community church."

That vision found a home in Cabarrus County.

Originally from Ohio, Doug and his family eventually settled in Concord after living in several different cities. When they brought Solo Faith Church to Cabarrus County in 2024, they quickly discovered something special.

"Cabarrus County was the first place where, when you reached out, the community reached back," he says. "The people here have really wrapped their arms around us."

Today, Solo Faith Church is helping redefine community care through what is believed to be the first online food pantry in North Carolina and one of the first in the nation, creating new pathways to connect neighbors with the support they need.

A Mission That Started with Chairs

The story of Solo Faith Church's food ministry began in an unexpected way.

After securing a building for the church, Doug realized they didn't even have enough chairs for their congregation. A fellow pastor connected him with a ministry in Hickory that was willing to donate chairs. But before they loaded the truck, the pastor asked one simple question:

"Do you need any food?"

Doug initially thought the question was about feeding his family.

"He said, 'Not for you. For your community.'"

That moment changed everything.

Drawing on his background in urban ministry and church planting, Doug realized that serving the community meant addressing practical needs as well as spiritual ones. Soon, he was making monthly trips to Hickory to pick up food and bring it back to Cabarrus County.

At first, it was difficult to connect with the people who needed help most. Flyers went unanswered, and families were hesitant to come inside the church.

Then one day, Doug placed food outside.

"When I came back, it was all gone," he recalls. "I realized there was a real need in our community."

Rethinking What a Food Pantry Can Be

As demand grew, Solo Faith Church began asking a simple question: What if people could access a food pantry the same way they access other essential services online?

That vision led to the creation of what is believed to be the first online food pantry in North Carolina and one of the first in the nation. Instead of requiring families to travel to a physical location during limited operating hours, neighbors can request groceries through an online platform designed to make food assistance more accessible, efficient, and dignified.

For Pastor Doug, the idea was never just about technology.

"It's about removing barriers," he says. "If someone needs help, we want the process to be as simple and welcoming as possible."

The online model allows Solo Faith Church to better understand community needs, organize inventory, and connect people with resources in a way that works for today's families while preserving their privacy and dignity.

But the church recognized that even an online pantry could not solve every challenge.

For many people, especially those with limited mobility, the biggest obstacle is not finding food. It's getting that food home.

That realization inspired the next step in the ministry's growth: a DoorDash-powered delivery pilot designed to bring groceries and essential supplies directly to some of the community's most vulnerable residents.

The DoorDash delivery program is currently focused on serving senior citizens, military veterans, and residents with disabilities who may face transportation barriers or have difficulty accessing traditional food pantries.

"We do groceries and hygiene items," Doug explains. "That's another thing that distinguishes us from Meals on Wheels. The dashers will distribute hygiene items as well."

By combining an innovative online food pantry with home delivery, Solo Faith Church is creating a model that addresses both food insecurity and the practical realities that often prevent people from receiving help.

Innovation with a Purpose

Doug sees technology as a tool that can strengthen human connection rather than replace it.

Solo Faith Church has incorporated AI systems to help process requests and streamline deliveries, creating what Doug believes may be one of the first AI-automated food pantry systems of its kind. The goal is simple: spend less time on administrative work and more time serving people.

The church's partnership with DoorDash has also created opportunities to expand the program's reach across Cabarrus County through additional pickup locations and nonprofit collaborations.

For Doug, the technology itself is not the story.

"The story is making sure people can get the help they need."

A Community That Embraces New Ideas

One of the things Doug appreciates most about Cabarrus County is its willingness to support innovation.

He believes the community has embraced Solo Faith Church's mission because people here genuinely want to work together to solve problems.

"There are only a handful of online food pantries like this in the country," he says. "The fact that something like this can grow right here in Concord says a lot about this community."

That spirit of collaboration is what gives him hope for the future.

As Cabarrus County continues to grow, Doug sees an opportunity to build stronger partnerships among churches, nonprofits, businesses, and civic organizations to make sure no one is left behind.

He hopes the mobile food pantry will continue expanding so that more families can receive the support they need with dignity and convenience.

Looking Ahead

For Pastor Doug Lattimore, what makes Cabarrus County great is not just its growth or its opportunities. It is the people who choose to care for one another.

His journey started with searching for chairs for a new church. It grew into a ministry that now delivers groceries and hygiene supplies to neighbors who need them most.

That willingness to meet people where they are—both physically and spiritually—is a reflection of the community he has come to love.

And through Solo Faith Church's mobile food pantry, he is helping ensure that compassion is never out of reach.

How You Can Help

Pastor Doug believes that meaningful change happens when a community comes together to care for its neighbors. As Solo Faith Church continues to grow its online food pantry and DoorDash delivery program, community support will help expand services for senior citizens, military veterans, and disabled residents who face food insecurity and transportation barriers.

Individuals can make a difference by sponsoring deliveries and helping ensure that groceries and essential hygiene items reach neighbors who may otherwise struggle to access them. Every gift helps provide dignity, convenience, and hope to those who need it most.

Businesses also have an opportunity to make a lasting impact through corporate sponsorships. By partnering with Solo Faith Church, companies can help underwrite delivery costs, support expanded service areas, and invest in an innovative model of hunger relief that strengthens the health and well-being of the community. Corporate partners can play a direct role in ensuring that vulnerable residents receive the food and essential supplies they need while demonstrating their commitment to serving Cabarrus County.

To sponsor a delivery, visit: www.solofaith.org/giving

For more information about Solo Faith Church and its community outreach programs, visit: www.solofaith.org