OBCF Grant to Food for Thought Ensures that No Dare County Child Goes Hungry

By Michelle Wagner

It all began in 2006. After learning that some children were eating much more at school on Mondays than other days of the week – Helen Ford and Ed Hazlett founded local nonprofit Food for Thought with a small pilot program at Manteo Elementary School.

“It was so successful that it was implemented in all the Dare County elementary schools and some middle and high schools within a few years,” said Food for Thought Secretary Carole Kimmel.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and with the help of generous community partners, Food for Thought has continued its fight to end childhood hunger in Dare County by serving roughly 700 to 800 students with not only nutritious meals to fuel them over the weekend, but also other necessities they would otherwise go without.

A force of roughly 300 volunteers make this organization tick. Each week, volunteers faithfully pack and deliver nutritious food and other necessities to send home with hundreds of food insecure children each Friday. Subsets of the 300 volunteers, about 25 to 30 at a time, come together to pack food bags in two assembly lines and then these bags are delivered to each school. Ordering, warehousing, and stocking take place ahead of packing time so everything runs smoothly.

“Volunteers are enthusiastic about the goals of Food for Thought and enjoy giving back by being involved in packing,” Kimmel said. “Many of them help in other ways and even get involved in fundraising within their organizations (such as local church groups, businesses and community organizations).”

The program serves all Dare County Schools students from kindergarten through high school who qualify for the USDA free and reduced lunch and are signed up by their parents. However, children in the Food for Thought program are anonymous to the organization.

“While all children receive free breakfast and lunch at school, Food for Thought fills a much-needed gap by ensuring those children in our program go home on Friday afternoon with food for the weekends,” Kimmel said.

The Outer Banks Community Foundation’s (OBCF) Impact Grant fills yet another gap for Food for Thought recipients.

A large number of children in Dare County come from homes that are food-insecure and have limited resources, and during winter and spring breaks from school, Food for Thought has no way of getting food to them. The grant from OBCF has enabled Food for Thought to send Food Lion gift cards home with these students when school is not in session.

“With the generous support from the Community Foundation’s Impact Grant for Food Lion gift cards, we hope to maintain good nutrition for our children while they are away from school on break,” said Kimmel. “This is especially important now because of the current rise in food costs, cuts in food subsidy programs, and the resulting increased needs of children in our program.”

Additionally, Food for Thought supplies school counselors/nurses with Food Lion gift cards to give to older students as the need arises.

“We’re so glad to support Food for Thought through this Impact Grant,” said OBCF Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Programs Nandy Stuart. “For many children in Dare County, school meals are a primary source of nutrition, and when school is out, that safety net disappears. This program directly fills that gap by ensuring kids have access to food during critical times like winter, spring, and the beginning of summer breaks. With hundreds of local children relying on this support, it’s a powerful example of a community-driven solution meeting a very real and urgent need.”

Not only does Food for Thought bridge the hunger gap by supplying nourishing food to students, but it also provides other essential items as well. After recognizing in 2015 that students lacked access to basic hygiene products and other supplies, the organization created school pantry programs in coordination with school counselors. These pantries are stocked with such items as toothpaste, soap, shampoo and now includes outerwear, such as shoes.

Twenty years ago, Food for Thought may have started as a small pilot program in one Dare County elementary school – but since it has grown into a movement that helps local students grow, learn and thrive – one meal at a time.

The Outer Banks Community Foundation’s next grant application deadline is Friday, July 31 for Community Enrichment Grants, which are open to all types of projects with no restrictions on scope or focus, with funding requests up to $10,000. Nonprofits are encouraged to visit the Community Foundation’s website for detailed guidelines, eligibility criteria, and the application portal. Early submissions are encouraged to allow time for review and feedback.

For more information or assistance with the grant application process, visit OBCF.org/grants or contact the staff at 252-423-3003.

About the Outer Banks Community Foundation: The Outer Banks Community Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to fostering philanthropy and supporting local causes. Through its charitable funds and grant programs, the Foundation strives to enrich the quality of life for residents of the Outer Banks.