December 2022 | Issue 10

Community Action From Around State

Second Harvest Food Bank harnesses volunteerism, helps families at Thanksgiving

Second Harvest Food Bank is a program of Action Pathways that secures, stores, and distributes over 16 million pounds of food annually. We have had several distributions this holiday season to serve the Southeast region of North Carolina.  

On Saturday, November 19th Second Harvest distributed holiday meal kits with the help of 80 volunteers.Turkey, ham, collard greens, and sweet potatoes went out to 674 households and 1,958 individuals at Second Harvest Food Bank, and another 200 households and 836 individuals at South View High School. On December 7th the organization partnered with ABC11 and Food Lion on the All Together Food Dive wrap up Drive Thru. 

Second Harvest Food Bank has had great success with volunteers. With help from groups like military personnel, high school students and fraternities, they prepared food boxes for the elderly and distributed tons of food to families. The organization's goal is to provide 1.8 million meals for our neighbors in need this year.

October Spirit Week is a Success for Economic Improvement Council

The Economic Improvement Council’s Spirit Week, initiated by Executive Director, Dr. Landon B. Mason, Sr. and implemented by our CFO, Ms. Jose Taylor along with Head Start / EHS Directors, Mrs. Dena Banks, Mrs. Zantra Best and Mrs. Makitta McLean, was a great success.

The EIC’s goal was to promote agency pride with sunshades day and crazy socks day, increase breast cancer awareness on pink-out day, and, on mental health and wellness day, show appreciation for the hard work, dedication and commitment of our staff. On that day our entire agency came together at our Head Start school location. We shared meals, music, games and activities, and added special touches like a “quiet room” (no cell phones!). The day ended with a presentation of incentives to staff.

Shaw's Barbeque of Williamston, catered lunch, and Nothing Bundt Cakes of Greenville, added special desserts.

Mountain Projects Health Insurance Counselor Helps Save a Life

Brenda and James Porcello live in Charlotte, but have family in Waynesville. James had a recent medical crisis, and despite a clean health history it became obvious he needed a liver transplant, fast. His life was in danger. Unfortunately, the Porcello’s insurance policy was unacceptable to the hospital that would perform the transplant. 

Jacquie Buttles knew just who to call. She’s an Insurance Analyst for the state of North Carolina, and she had become involved in the case. 

“Jan Plummer at Mountain Projects and I have been program partners for a decade,” Jacquie said. “I thought we should talk this case through to see what options were available for this patient.”

New North Carolina Grant Application Access Bears Repeating

Through a partnership between the N.C. Office of Strategic Partnerships and the N.C. Department of Information Technology, the state of North Carolina added a new grants page to its website.

The grants page links to various grant programs across state agencies. The page is searchable by keyword and can also be exported into a spreadsheet that you can download.

The Grants Page is designed to make it easier for nonprofits seeking state grants to identify possible grants without having to look through dozens of state agency websites.

We Want Your Stories!

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As a member of the NCCAA community, we work to empower low-income families, change people's lives for the better and improve the communities we serve. We are all dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other. Please take a moment and forward this news to a co-worker and grow the community of professionals dedicated to this important work.

“I Am” Community Action Video

The purpose of Community Action agencies is to provide a broad range of activities and services that help individuals move the needle towards self sufficiency. Our programs help and encourage children and youth, support the working poor, support individuals and households in crisis, sustain and honor the elderly, strengthen families and work to strengthen the entire community. #CommunityAction #NCCAA

National Influenza Week

It’s National Influenza Vaccination Week. Get your child a flu vaccine and reduce their risk of flu and its potentially serious complications. Talk to their doctor about getting them vaccinated today.

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