Monday, February 10, 2025

Consider helping NourishNC meet its goal of providing Thanksgiving meals to hungry children

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(Courtesy: NourishNC)

WILMINGTON — NourishNC is a nonprofit that provides healthy food to hungry children, empowering them to succeed in the classroom and their community. Our vision is to be anywhere and everywhere hungry children need us in New Hanover County.

The Backpack Program’s primary focus is to provide supplemental food assistance to chronically hungry children in New Hanover County. Our goal is to enhance children’s health and well-being by preventing the disastrous consequences of child hunger.

Our Backpack Program currently feeds nearly 668 children from 33 New Hanover County schools. NourishNC feeds these children every weekend and over all school breaks. We recently launched our mobile “Farmer’s MarKID” that takes free farmers markets to kids in high-need areas. We also stock emergency food pantries in local schools and at other nonprofits.

Volunteer Opportunities

This Thanksgiving, NourishNC is providing a feast for many local families. Executive Director Steve McCrosson had this to say, “Long weekends can be hard for children who rely on free & reduced school lunch.  Holiday weekends are even tougher. This holiday we want our children to have a healthy Thanksgiving Dinner with their family. Enjoying a meal with loved ones makes for the best kind of eating and our community’s children deserve the best.”

Menu: Butterball turkey breast, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cream of mushroom soup, cornbread mix, apple sauce, carrots, green beans, sweet potatoes, collards, and apples (dessert dish). All items will be packed in a foil pan and come with recipes.

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(Courtesy: NourishNC)

People can sponsor a family here: http://www.nourishnc.org/donate/food-boxes/thanksgiving-break-box/

Pack weekend backpacks and “break” boxes for our kids, sort food drives, or pack produce.  Sign up here: http://www.nourishnc.org/volunteer/

Host a food drive. See our most wanted list http://www.nourishnc.org/volunteer/

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(Courtesy: NourishNC)

Giving Opportunities

Feed hungry kids in your community today by visiting http://www.nourishnc.org/donate1/

Nourish A Child with Produce For an Entire Year: $75

Be a produce promoter with this option! Each weekend the child will receive a fresh fruit and hearty vegetable in their bag.

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(Courtesy: NourishNC)

Nourish Holiday Box: $45

Nothing says “Happy Holidays” like our Holiday Break Meal Box. This box provides approximately 3 healthy meals a day, fresh produce, healthy snacks, milk and juice for the entire break.

Nourish Weekend Backpack: $10

Make sure our kids show up to school on happy, healthy, ready and able to learn. Provides 8 meals, milk or juice, snacks and fresh fruit.

 

What your neighbors are saying about NourishNC

Kids: “The backpack food makes me feel happy, proud and full!”

Social Worker: “We are able to see energy levels, alertness, behavior and academics improve within the school setting.”

A Mom: The Backpack Program has kept us strong and able to unite as one at meal time…Without you my family would go hungry…The Backpack Program has been a tremendous help giving my children the fuel they need to focus in school…You have made a huge difference in my son’s life.”

A Funder: “The NourishNC Backpack program has quickly become a model of best practice.”

-Content provided by NourishNC

local_shout_4-edited-424x300-1This content was provided by a community member via Local Shout, a new initiative at Port City Daily. Port City Daily cannot guarantee the accuracy of information presented in this story. If you have additional information or would like to submit a story, please contact shout@portcitydaily.com.

 

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