What to expect from the government shutdown — and action you can take to help end it

As federal action cut off people’s SNAP benefits in November and the holidays strained families’ budgets in December, I’ve seen North Carolina's light shining in food banks across the state. In Asheville, Claire Neal experienced MANNA Food Bank’s warehouse being washed away by Hurricane Helene. MANNA’s own need was immense: tons of food lost and operations interrupted. Yet before the waters even receded, the folks at MANNA were already figuring out a Plan B. They knew that, as great as their need was, the need of the people of western North Carolina was greater.

I saw the same at the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. When I visited, CEO Amy Beros met me at the door and immediately began describing the strain families were feeling from the shutdown impacts. It happened to be Veterans Day when I visited, and I spent the afternoon learning how too many of the state’s veterans are experiencing food insecurity. The food bank is standing in the gap to preserve both people’s access to their food and their dignity.

– Governor Josh Stein

From awareness to action.  

That was the theme of this year’s inaugural Hungry for Change conference at East Carolina University.  

The conference brought together students, university leaders, community partners, and food system advocates from across the UNC System to address how hunger is impacting college campuses. 

“I said, ‘Why are we not having conversations together?” said Ramya Mabry. 

Mabry, ECU’s Purple Pantry Coordinator and conference organizer, saw conversations about student hunger happening across different organizations and wanted to bring them together in one space. 

“We’re having them in our conference rooms. We’re having them in our institutions. We’re having them with others in the community, but why are we not having them together as a collective?” 

Student hunger is not separate from community hunger. According to the Carolina Hunger Initiative, more than 22% of college students experience food insecurity.  

You can be strong, you can be ambitious, you can be the most educated person in the room, and still need help.

– Ramya Mabry ECU Purple Pantry Coordinator & Conference Organizer

In fact, across the country, 2.2 million students are skipping meals or reducing the food they eat. And in Pitt County, 1 in 6 neighbors are food insecure. That equates to over 30,000 children, seniors, and adults. 

We cannot expect students to navigate hunger on their own, especially when they are already navigating classes, jobs, caregiving, and everything else life is asking of you.

– Amy Beros Food Bank President & CEO

However, Beros said the good news is that campuses across North Carolina are already showing what practical, effective action looks like, including at ECU, with solid retail partnerships and strong community connections. 

During the 2025-2026 school year, the pantry served more than 2,600 students.  

At NC State University, the Feed the Pack pantry supports more than 750 people each month and provided more than 100,000 meals during the 2025-2026 school year.  

Mabry shared that for pantries looking to expand their reach or for those just getting started, she encourages them to lean on the connections they’ve already built.  

“Your network is your net worth."

She also hopes that college pantries know they are not alone and that they are all working together in the fight against hunger.