Building Bridges: A Food Bank Workforce Development Scholarship
The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina’s Workforce Development Program provides education and employment sponsorship for individuals who are unemployed, underemployed, or justice involved. Through partnerships with Craven Community College, Central Carolina Community College, and Cape Fear Community College, we are dedicated to connecting talented people with in-demand career opportunities. 
Our supported forklift programs are facilitated on-site at Central Carolina Community College and Craven Community College campuses. Central Carolina Community College offers a 21-hour forklift course which includes OSHA 10. Craven Community College offers a 56-hour forklift operator course that covers basic operations and safety procedures.
A 7-week Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program is also supported at both community colleges to provide the necessary skills to safely operate commercial vehicles.
Our supported Culinary Fundamentals certification program is a 10-week course facilitated at the Food Bank’s nCino Hunger Solution Center’s state-of-the-art commercial kitchen in Wilmington, NC. The culinary program provides hands-on training with a professional chef and prepares participants for the ServSafe Certification exam.
What We Provide To Students:
- Scholarships for tuition assistance and cost-of-living support
- Weekly nutritional food boxes
- Assistance with SNAP, Medicaid, and Energy Assistance enrollment
- Community resources for housing, clothing, food, mental health, etc.
- Optional financial education workshops
- Job readiness and employment support
Participation Requirements:
- Unemployed, underemployed, or justice-involved
- Enrollment with Central Carolina or Craven Community College for forklift or CDL training
- Enrollment in Cape Fear Community College Culinary Fundamentals Course
- Successful completion of Job Readiness Bootcamp* (bootcamp only applies to forklift or CDL training)
Justice involved means the student must have been incarcerated at the local, state, or federal level for 30 days or more or placed under probation, parole, or other functionally equivalent active supervision.
For More Information
Contact: Marica Tedder, Workforce Development Manager
(984) 480-6592
Benefits Outreach
Benefits Outreach Coordinators are available to help answer questions about eligibility and the application process and assist with completing your application.