Stories of Hunger in Northeastern North Carolina

Food Bank of the Albemarle serves 15 counties in northeastern North Carolina, serving over 8 Million meals annually. In 2022, an amazing 50% of our distribution was fresh, nutritious produce!
The public support has been incredibly generous and contributed greatly in enhancing the Food Bank’s ability to serve these individuals and families. We were fortunate to have a few share their stories with us, and how the Food Bank has helped them:
Tammy
Tammy has been coming to the Albemarle Food Pantry for years, ever since she and her family moved to North Carolina. She says comes to the food pantry each month for shelf-stable goods and protein, but especially for the fresh produce available.

“I learned from an early age to make use of everything that we had,” Tammy says. “I learned how to can fresh produce so that summer harvests are available in winter, and I also dehydrate vegetables to use for soup mix, or things like making tomato paste from the parts of the fruit you normally wouldn’t use. I try not to discard anything that can be used.”
She and her family live on a fixed income, she says, and have to be incredibly resourceful with finances and food.

“I grow a lot of my own food, too” she adds. “This season, I’ve grown peppers, tomatoes, eggplant. And a lot of that produce was grown from seeds I saved, from produce that I received from the food pantry. It’s a lot of work, but worth it.”

Sandra
Sandra is long-time client of the Mobile Pantry. She says she’s been coming here for about five years, and depends on the food she receives to carry her through the month ahead.
“It helps me make ends meet,” Sandra says.
Without the pantry and the fresh produce she receives, Sandra isn’t sure how she would manage.
“It’s (the produce) very important,” she says. “I like the white potatoes and green beans. (Without the pantry) it’d be harder to feed myself for the month. It’d be really hard for any longer than that, without my fruits and vegetables.”
Sandra also receives around $100 in FNS (formerly known as Food Stamps) each month. She depends on this service and the mobile pantry.
“Without food stamps, I wouldn’t be able to eat. I don’t have the money for food. I have about $50 left each month after my bills are paid.”
Frank
“I have diabetes, and do not receive much in food stamps (SNAP). It takes the little that I receive to ensure that I get healthy foods. It is nice to get food from the Food Bank to supplement my monthly allowance.“

Yolanda
“This is my 2nd time going (to the mobile). It’s such a big blessing to me and my family,” Yolanda says. “All the food that has been given to our family has been so helpful, especially with our finances.”
“I am so grateful that the Food Bank started this mobile pantry in Tyrell County.”
Ramiro
“This is my 1st time here at the mobile pantry. I feel very blessed to get food, because I have not been able to find much work,” Ramiro said. “Thank you for all the food that was given out, especially the fresh produce!”
“Some other people had told me about the mobile pantry here, but I just couldn’t go because I didn’t have transportation. A friend gave me a ride here to get some food. I really hope that this mobile pantry can continue.”

Your contributions to Food Bank of the Albemarle feed people every day across northeastern NC. Together, we can solve hunger.

About Food Bank of the Albemarle
The Mission of the Food Bank is to fight hunger and poverty in our 15-county service area in northeast North Carolina. We are a regional clearinghouse for the collection and distribution of food and grocery items to 100 hunger-relief partners operating 145 unique programs. Food Bank of the Albemarle serves Beaufort, Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Hyde, Martin, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell and Washington counties. For more information, call (252) 335-4035 or visit www.afoodbank.org.