Here at the Food Bank, we hold people experiencing hunger at the center of everything we do. And we are incredibly grateful for the countless ways our volunteer community shows up to help end hunger for good. Over the past year, Food Bank volunteers: • Sorted and packed enough food to fuel 21 million meals • Anchored over 150 no-cost markets and food distribution events • Supported more than 8,000 seniors with regular deliveries of pantry staples “I enjoy volunteering at the Food Bank because at the end of the day I see the results of the work: massive pallets of fresh produce are processed i ..read more

All of us at the Food Bank are working toward a future where no one goes hungry. It’s a big vision, and we know we can’t reach it through food assistance alone. We have to take action to address hunger at its roots — to prevent food insecurity from happening in the first place.  This is what Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is all about, and why equity is at the center of our work. Because hunger is so much more than a single empty stomach or individual experience. It’s a community-wide symptom of not having enough — whether that’s enough nutritious food, enough income, or enough voi ..read more

Southern states face higher rates of food insecurity than any other region in the United States. Here in North Carolina, one in every nine of us doesn’t have consistent and reliable access to sufficient food for our families. These challenges are even deeper in Black and Latinx communities throughout the state, where hunger is two-to-three times more prevalent. Addressing hunger in our most hard-hit communities is the surest path to reach our vision of a future where no one goes hungry. That’s why the Food Bank has placed a greater focus on sourcing and distributing culturally familiar and mea ..read more

For the Food Bank’s staff and board, 2023 has been a year of building. Building more effective and efficient food distribution infrastructure. Building our commitment to equity. Building on the strategic framework that will help us reach our shared vision of a future where no one goes hungry in central and eastern North Carolina. We’re building because demand for food assistance continues to rise here in North Carolina and across the country. Right now, more than 600,000 children, adults, and seniors throughout our 34-county region don’t know where their next meal might come from. Families are ..read more

March is Women’s History Month – a time to honor and celebrate women’s achievements and contributions to American History. Focusing on individual achievements in arts and sciences, however, ignores the gender economic inequality at the root of food insecurity and poverty women face. These policies and practices impact women at higher rates than their male counterparts. By understanding the roots of hunger and its impacts on women and their families, we are better able to do something about it.   Women and Food Insecurity  Women, especially single mothers, are more likely to fac ..read more

Food Lion has been a stalwart supporter of the Food Bank, providing funding support, food, gift cards, as well as volunteering at our distribution centers. Last month when Durham faced a city-wide power outage, Food Lion called and asked, “How can we help?” They are often the first ones to call when events like this occur. We were so grateful that they were able to provide $20 gift cards to Durham-based food pantries. These cards were then passed on to our neighbors who were impacted. In December, 60 Food Lion employees answered a last minute call for early morning volunteers. They showed up ..read more

Richard is one of our valued sustainers, donors that make regular monthly contributions, who make an indelible impact on our community through their support. A strong connection to North Carolina has driven his commitment to combatting hunger and supporting those in need in his community. For over three decades, Richard has been a steadfast contributor, having made his first contribution in 1990. When asked about his motivation to support our cause, Richard acknowledged, “the Food Bank does a great job helping feed people across the [central and] eastern part of the state. I can afford it an ..read more

There are many types of disasters—they can be manmade and natural. We all know that in our Food Bank’s service area, the most common disaster is hurricanes. From direct impact to flooding to addressing power outages and home-loss, we prepare and respond to support our neighbors after a disaster for as long as needed. One of the first things we do to prepare is inventory what we have in stock. We know that water, snacks, and ready-to-eat foods are vital in the early days after a hurricane, followed by the items needed to restock what’s lost: frozen and perishable foods. Non-food items also be ..read more

TAKE ACTION! As supply chain disruptions and rising food costs make it more difficult to afford the basics, millions of people in the U.S. are forced to make impossible choices between food and other necessities. In 2021, 11% of North Carolinians (1 in 9 people) utilized the charitable food system for support. Although our sector helps many people avoid hunger, it cannot end hunger in our communities without government support. Federal nutrition programs, including The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Commodity Supplemen ..read more

One of the most frequent questions I receive when talking to people about the Food Bank’s work is “How can I help?” Hunger Action Month is a showcase of just how easy it is to make a difference for our friends and neighbors living with food insecurity. Becoming a sustainer, at any amount, allows the Food Bank to steadily nourish more people, and also helps to build solutions and plan for the future. But it’s also easy to donate food, time, and your voice. Get your friends and family involved to make it fun and increase your impact. Thank you for the actions you take each day, even outside of ..read more