HEARING FROM THE PEOPLE WE SERVE

Real voices. Real experiences.

Everyday we work alongside individuals and families in Bladen, Brunswick, and Columbus Counties who are navigating rising costs, unexpected setbacks, and hard choices around food and household expenses. Support looks different for everyone. For some, it means having enough groceries to get through the week. For others, it means keeping the lights on, the water running, or avoiding a shutoff notice. No matter the situation, we approach every client with understanding, care, respect, and without judgement.

The testimonials below reflect experiences shared by community members who received assistance through our programs. These voices help show what support looks like in real life, often in small but meaningful ways. Names have been withheld to protect privacy.

GOING BEYOND OUR SERVICE AREAS

Help Without Boundaries

Our agency was created to serve specific counties, but our commitment to people has never stopped at a boundary line. Under the leadership of CEO Reverend Carl Nichols, we operate with a simple belief: when someone is in need and we have the ability to help, we do. While our programs are designed for designated service areas and eligibility requirements, there have been times when individuals reached out who did not qualify on paper or whose needs continued after a program ended. In those moments, help did not stop simply because a form said it should. Under Reverend Nichols’ direction, support has been extended to individuals and families in Duplin County, New Hanover County, Robeson County, Pender County, Guilford County, Forsyth County, and Wake County. This extended support took many forms, including help with utilities, transportation-related expenses, housing transitions, and basic stability needs.

My lights were getting ready to be cut off and I didn’t know what I was going to do. I didn’t qualify anymore, but Reverend Nichols still helped me anyway. He paid my light bill for months. I honestly didn’t expect that, and I still think about it.

Anonymous Female, 31

Brunswick County Resident

I was behind on my car payment and stressing bad because I needed my car for work. They helped me with $1,400 to catch it up. If that hadn’t happened, I don’t know how I would’ve kept my job.

Anonymous Female, 43

Duplin County Resident

My house had been condemned, and I was stuck. I didn’t know where I was going to live or how to even start over. They helped me get rid of the old place, get a mobile home, and paid for the hookups. They even helped with furniture. I went from having nothing to having a place I could actually live in.

Anonymous Female, 52 Columbus County Resident

A LETTER FROM OUR PARTNERS AT FOOD BANK OF CENTRAL & EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA

Meaningful impact doesn’t happen in isolation. Our partnership with Feeding America allows us to expand access to nutritious food while maintaining a community-centered approach. Together, we work to support households facing food insecurity across Bladen, Brunswick, and Columbus Counties.

Below is a letter from Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina recognizing this partnership and the work being done locally.