During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Old Salem Museums & Gardens continues to look for opportunities to be helpful and support our community in these unprecedented times. The Old Salem Winkler Bakery Annex, which, on March 13, 2020, temporarily ceased operations due to COVID-19, is getting back to baking. Beginning Monday, April 6, Chad Smith, Head Pastry Chef, will bake approximately 50 loaves of bread per day, Monday through Friday, to donate to Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC.

“The health and wellness of our visitors and staff are our paramount concern during this crisis. But we continue to look for safe ways to make our resources useful during this ever-evolving situation,” said Frank Vagnone, President and CEO of Old Salem. “We are so glad that we can help those in need of food by using our already existing facilities and skills to bake bread.”

“Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC is deeply appreciative of the proactive and thoughtful ways in which the Old Salem community has stepped forward to support Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC and our local partner programs,” said Eric Aft, CEO, Second Harvest Food Bank. “From converting its gardens to Victory Gardens to help feed local families, to donating cases upon cases of fresh milk, to reopening its bakery to prepare fresh bread for partner programs of Second Harvest, Old Salem (staff and volunteers) are determined to help make the lives of local families who are struggling in the face of the COVID-19 public health threat, better. We welcome and appreciate their partnership in this important work.”

In addition to baking bread for Second Harvest Food Bank, Old Salem is transforming its garden plots for the 2020 growing seasons into “victory gardens” to grow food for those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Old Salem will partner with community groups and food banks who best serve this mission to ensure the food grown in Old Salem’s gardens is distributed to the people who need it.