The Carthage Food Pantry and the Sandhills Teen Challenge organizations are the beneficiaries of contributions presented by the Sandhills Classic Street Rod Association Monday, Nov. 3.

The money was raised at the 2008 Street Rods at the Rock event at Rockingham Dragway and by other activities of the car club throughout the year.

Board Co-Chairs Diana Kiefer and Jeanette Metcalf of the Carthage Food Pantry were on hand to accept the $1,000 donation. The Carthage Food Pantry is an all-volunteer organization that began giving boxes of food to folks in need six years ago. Food is distributed each first and third Saturday in the parking lot of the Carthage Town Hall.

"Needs for food are on the increase," they say. "We give away 150 to 175 boxes of food every other Saturday. This contribution, along with the $2,000 from the Sandhills Classic group given earlier this year, will really be a big help since we have to purchase just about all of the food we give away. We pay about 18 cents for every pound of food."

Executive Director Sal DiBianca and his wife, Debby, of Sandhills Teen Challenge accepted $1,000 for Sandhills Teen Challenge. The organization has been helping youth, adults and families in the area for the last 21 years.

"This contribution will be used to operate the men's recovery home and for drug prevention programs for teens," says DiBianca. "We have a number of area churches involved in our work and a lot of volunteers too. Last year, Sandhills Teen Challenge addressed over 12,000 students in school assemblies, rallies and conventions and 75 men came into the men's home." Sandhills Teen Challenge is located near Carthage. This contribution brings the total from the Sandhills Classic group to $3,000 for Teen Challenge in 2008.

"Over the past four and a half years, the Sandhills Classic Street Rod Association has donated about $27000 to local charities" says Tom Murray, president of the car club. "We are nonprofit and work year-round to do things to help our local communities."

Presentations were made at Al's 50s Diner in Southern Pines, location of club "Cruise-Ins" held on the first and third Friday evenings of each month, and the club's monthly meetings held on the first Monday of each month.