For families facing food insecurity, summer has long marked a time when kids no longer have easy access to breakfast and lunch at school. Many parents and caregivers have to come up with 10 or more additional meals per week, per child when school is out — making the summer months among the most challenging times of year to keep food on the table.

These challenges come as pantries, no-cost markets, meal sites and delivery programs throughout the region brace for what may be our most difficult period in decades. New research shows that nearly 174,000 school-age children and teens are now food insecure across Central and Eastern North Carolina — an increase of more than 39,000 over the prior year.

The daunting figures quantify what many front-line organizations have long experienced in our communities: the combination of waning state and federal support as housing, food and other essential costs rise has worsened the existing hunger crisis. As a result, demand for food assistance is as high as it’s been since the Great Recession, and the gap widens when school meals, snacks and backpack programs are no-longer accessible to area kids. 

Fortunately, our network of 700+ local organizations is moving mountains to ensure nutritious food reaches affected families throughout the region. And together we offer a host of additional programs to help fill the meal gap when schools are closed. So whether you live in the city, the suburbs, or in our rural and remote areas, know that food is available this summer! 

Resources for Families while School is Out

Thanks to longtime partnerships with community-based organizations and local governments, there are a host of resources available to support area families over the summer months:

  • The Summer Food Service Program is available in communities across 17 counties, including on-site meals and to-go options. Local community centers, churches and summer camps offer free meals and snacks to all kids and teens — alongside outdoor recreation and reading initiatives. 

  • If your kids are eligible for free or reduced-price meals, North Carolina’s SUN Bucks program offers extra grocery money for families while school is closed. Funds are deposited on easy-to-use debit cards that are accepted at many local retailers.

  • No-cost Pop Up Markets are among our most successful initiatives to connect families with the versatile, culturally-familiar foods we need during the summer months and year-round. Working with local organizations, we bring seasonal produce, fresh dairy and protein directly to communities — along with children’s books and information on additional resources for families.

  • Our network of 700+ pantries, no-cost markets, meal sites also ramp up operations when hunger is at its worst — and many offer drive-up or delivery options. Our FoodFinder tool can help identify locations near you. 

Action to Help #StopSummerHunger 

If you’re in a position to help, there are concrete ways to have an impact right now. Your support helps area pantries, free food markets and meal sites ramp up local efforts while school is out:

  • Donate to end summer hunger. For every dollar donated, the Food Bank can source and distribute enough food to fuel five meals — far more than any of us could purchase as an individual consumer. And with all donations matched all summer, each dollar translates to 10 meals!

  • Volunteer at a local food distribution center. In the average volunteer shift, a single person will sort and pack enough food to fuel more than 160 meals for local families.

  • Spread the word about resources in your community. We all have someone in our lives who’s been touched by food insecurity. Share this page with friends and family on  , and NextDoor to help stop summer hunger!

As always, our Network of food assistance sites are open throughout Central and Eastern North Carolina — offering fresh produce and pantry staples to all who need it. Find pantries and delivery options near you on our FoodFinder tool. These locations are often able to accept consumer-donated food as well, so be sure to check out local options in your community! 

2024 Community Supporters

 We’re excited to partner with ABC11, iHeartRadio and a host of longtime community allies to raise awareness of these challenges and encourage action to Stop Summer Hunger!

Hunger Leaders  

ABC11 Together, BASF, iHeart Media
Ernest & Ruby McSwain Worthy Lands Trust

Platinum

Arby’s, Food Lion

Gold

Carolina Conceptions, Wolfspeed

Bronze

RTI InternationalÂ