Feeding Our Community
By: Jessica Maurer
Food insecurity remains a pressing issue in Wilmington, where many households continue to struggle with the rising cost of groceries, housing and everyday essentials. A network of local nonprofits, faith-based groups and community-led initiatives works to address those needs. From established regional programs to small-but-mighty grassroots efforts, these organizations form a safety net that many families depend on, and they, in turn, rely on those who can lend a hand.
Nourish NC, a nonprofit dedicated to feeding hungry children throughout New Hanover County, provides thousands of weekend backpack provisions, holiday meals and emergency food boxes to students each year. Its efforts provide supplemental food assistance to the 1 in 6 children in New Hanover County who struggle with hunger. In addition to the Backpack Program, Nourish’s on-site Market on Market (MoM) is a free-choice grocery store for families, where parents can select nutritious foods that work best for their children. The Food Farmacy program conducts food insecurity assessments through schools, doctors’ offices and community centers to provide strategic meals for those most in need. The organization thrives on volunteer support, whether through packing food boxes, stocking shelves or assisting families during shopping hours, and financial donations help them purchase fresh produce and high-demand items.
Another long-standing resource in Wilmington is Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, a volunteer-run emergency food pantry that has served the community for more than 35 years. Located on Red Cross Street, the pantry distributes a three-to-five-day supply of groceries to individuals and families in need, and also provides “no-cook” food bags for those without stable housing. Mother Hubbard’s depends entirely on donated goods, financial contributions and the commitment of volunteers who collect, sort and distribute food. Staple items like canned beans, cereal, rice, pasta and soups are always needed, and local food drives remain a vital part of their ability to serve.
Feast Down East has been working to support not only local farmers, but the food-insecure of the region for the past decade. The Feast Down East Mobile Market brings affordable, locally grown food directly to underserved communities. Mobile Market stops include public and senior housing communities, medical clinics and after-school programs across several counties. The Food Rx program is a partnership with Novant Health whereby eligible patients receive a $25 monthly voucher to use at any of the Mobile Market locations. Additionally, those who qualify for SNAP benefits can also benefit from the Fresh Bucks program, where a 50% discount is automatically applied at up to $50 per shopping trip.
Faith-based organizations also play a powerful role in addressing hunger locally. Catholic Charities of the Cape Fear Region operates a food pantry on US Hwy. 421 N, where families can come once a month to receive a three-to-four-day supply of groceries, which they select. The client choice model offers clients the opportunity to work with a personal shopping assistant to help them select items that can be used to create healthy meals. They also operate a mobile pantry with five area locations. Similarly, The Sister Isaac Center at St. Mary’s provides not only food but also clothing, hygiene products, household essentials and emergency financial help for rent, utilities, medical needs and transportation. Its mission emphasizes dignity and compassion, and with more than 100 volunteers supporting the center, community involvement is the foundation of their work.
Wilmington’s hunger relief ecosystem also benefits from newer grassroots initiatives that mobilize everyday residents. 86 Hunger Now, a local nonprofit rooted in the hospitality industry, focuses on combating food insecurity through meal distribution for those who don’t qualify for food stamps and other aid programs. Chef and founder David Scott believes that no one should go hungry, and everyone deserves a good meal regardless of their circumstances. His goal is to assist the working poor by providing one delicious meal a week that they don’t have to worry about sourcing themselves.
As part of a regional network, the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina supplies millions of pounds of food annually to area pantries, shelters, schools and community programs, including many listed above. In addition to sourcing and distributing large-scale donations, the Food Bank also runs mobile food pantries, nutrition programs and disaster-relief efforts. Because of the facility’s size and reach, financial contributions to the food bank enable the organization to purchase food in bulk and support partner agencies across the entire region.
Together, these organizations form a coordinated and compassionate response to food insecurity in Wilmington. Each plays a unique role: Nourish NC feeds children directly; Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard offers immediate emergency groceries; Catholic Charities and The Sister Isaac Center pair food assistance with broader social support; 86 Hunger Now brings the peace of mind of a homemade meal delivered once a week; and the Food Bank supplies the backbone of the region’s hunger-relief infrastructure.
