With your support over the last year, the Food Bank distributed food to approximately 200,000 youth facing hunger in the 34 counties we serve. Unfortunately, we continue to see a devastating impact from COVID-19 for young people, who are left vulnerable to family and school changes.

No child should have to worry when he or she will eat again, and no parent should have to skip a meal, so they can put food on the table for their children. Through agency distributions, targeted nutrition programs, education, and public policy work, the Food Bank is reaching young people with healthy and fun food options.

Our dedicated staff goes into communities to meet children where they already are: operating grab n’ go meal sites, pantries at schools, meals to take home on weekends and breaks, hot foods at after-school care, and breakfast and lunch at summer camps. Every year, the Food Bank provides healthy food to children so they can build the skills to be whatever they want to be in life and advocates for policies that ensure programs like these continue to receive vital government support.

“It takes a team to make sure children have access to food,” said Christina Paige, Outreach Coordinator for the Food Bank. “Our staff, volunteers, partner agencies, and vendors come together to ensure nutritious food reaches kids where they are, but we can’t even begin that process without our donors.”

One example of your investments at work can be seen at Pender County Schools. The Food Bank has supported ongoing food programs for students and extra assistance during times of disaster. Principal/Alternative Learning Program Coordinator Aja Winstead says some families in the district depend on the food their children receive at school. And the kids need to have enough nutritious food to be able to focus on their work.

Winstead has observed first-hand the impact of regular, nutritious food on the students.

“Students who have regular access to food can focus on their schoolwork and spend time working with their classmates rather than worrying about their next meal. Food security allows students to be fully engaged in the classroom. Food security also reduces health risks and behaviors.”

Together our targeted programs (Kids Summer Meals, Weekend Power Pack, Kids Cafe, School Pantries) provided over 1.1 million meals to kids last year.

This piece also appears in our 2021 Impact Report which you can view in full here.