As the holiday season approaches, local food banks need our help more than ever. Data from New Hanover County Social Services states that an average of 22,058 individuals (12,309 households) in our county rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) each month, roughly 9% of our population, and 4 in 5 SNAP households include a child, senior, or adult with disabilities. On the island, the Help Center food bank reports a 65% increase in visits and 50% increase in the amount of food being distributed since July. With SNAP disbursement delays looming and more neighbors find themselves struggling to stretch dollars to keep food on the table, a small act of generosity can make a big difference. Every can, every dollar, and every volunteer hour helps safeguard against folks in our community going hungry. Let’s come together this Season of Giving to lift each other up during these challenging times. In this spirit, the Town of Kure Beach is holding a food drive for our island food bank, Help Center of Federal Point. Collection bins will be in the lobby of Town Hall now through Friday, December 19th at 5 PM. [Please note the Town Hall lobby is closed daily between 1-2:30 PM, and Town Hall is closed November 11th and November 26th-28th.]
Ongoing items of need include peanut butter/jelly, macaroni & cheese, canned meats (chicken/tuna/corn beef hash/etc.), cereal, canned fruits/vegetables/beans, pasta/pasta sauce, and one can meals (ravioli/spaghetti/etc.) The Help Center is also collecting items for Christmas Baskets. The specific needs list for Christmas Baskets is provided below. Please have any items intended for inclusion in the Christmas Baskets delivered to Town Hall by 5 PM on Friday, November 21st, as we will be delivering those items prior to Thanksgiving.
If you wish to make a financial donation to the Help Center, you can place your donation in an envelope in the lock box located in Town Hall parking lot. They accept cash, check, money order, and Food Lion gift cards. All checks/money orders should be made out to Help Center. You can also drop your non-perishable goods or monetary donations directly at the Help Center Monday through Friday from 10 AM-12 PM at 7 N. 3rd Street in Carolina Beach.
If you are in need of immediate food assistance, please click the following link to find the closest available resource: https://foodfinder.foodbankcenc.org/?distance=&q=28429. The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina website also has links to other ways to give, advocate, and volunteer should you be interested in offering additional local support. https://foodbankcenc.org/
Christmas Basket Needs List:
Food Lion gift cards, canned fruits/vegetables/beans, baked beans, canned soup, family size sweet potato cans, jars/cups of applesauce, macaroni & cheese, pasta/pasta sauce, ramen noodles/cup o noodles, peanut butter/jelly, mustard, mayonnaise (small jars), family size instant rice/potato, family size stuffing mix, instant oatmeal packets, pancake mix/syrup, cereal, tea bags, hot chocolate packets, coffee/creamer, marshmallows, family size juice, vanilla/chocolate pudding cups, cake/brownie mix, frosting, crackers, sugar (4 lb bag), tuna pouches, pop top one can meals, fruit cups, snack bars, water
About The Help Center:
Founded by local ministers and residents of Pleasure Island in 1985, the center was established to help meet growing needs of citizens in the community. The name “H.E.L.P Center” stands for “Help Establish Love for all People.”
Since its creation, the Federal Point Help Center has grown by leaps and bounds. The Center has helped residents in need of food, clothing, help with utility bills, rent and anything else it can afford. This Center is a way to help residents of Pleasure Island who may not qualify for other assistance programs stay put in the community.
