About the Food Bank

Barbara Oates, the Food Bank’s first Executive Director, in 1982Peter Werbicki, the current President & CEO, in 2018.

Barbara Oates, the Food Bank’s first Executive Director, in 1982 & Peter Werbicki, the past President & CEO, in 2018.

The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina (the Food Bank) is a nonprofit organization that has provided food for our friends and neighbors facing hunger in 34 counties in central and eastern North Carolina for over 40 years. The Food Bank is an affiliate member of Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger relief charity. In terms of total food distributed, the Food Bank ranks in the top 15 nationally among 200 Feeding America food banks and first in North Carolina. Our food distribution programs and child nutrition programs are based on national models. 

Simply put, the Food Bank works every day to provide food to people in need while building solutions to end hunger in our communities. The Food Bank began operations in 1980 with funds from the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina and now partners with a network of more than 800 partner agencies such as soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and programs for children and adults through distribution facilities in Durham, Greenville, New Bern, Raleigh, the Sandhills (Southern Pines), and Wilmington. 

The Food Bank works across the food system to provide access to nutritious food that nourishes families, children, seniors, and individuals. Through partnerships, education, and programs, the Food Bank empowers communities to overcome hunger, creating an environment where all North Carolinians thrive. 

Video produced by Southern Yankee Creative, LLC

Our Mission & Vision

The Food Bank operates under the mission:

‘Nourish people. Build solutions. Empower communities.’

With the support of this incredible community and our partners, we work every day to realize the vision:

No one goes hungry.

Member of Feeding America

We are members of Feeding America, a national organization supporting more than 200 food banks across the country, and the largest domestic hunger relief agency in the U.S.