Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina

The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina works out of Capital Boulevard in Raleigh, and its reach goes well past the city. Close to 630,000 children, adults and seniors in its service area do not know where their next meal is coming from.

With federal safety nets receding, the food bank has been asking the community to get involved, and it is direct about how large the gap has become. Fundraising leans on seasonal campaigns that bring local businesses and donors into the effort.

What to know

• A September campaign called Plate It Forward asks chefs to cook for the cause.
• Award-winning chefs build special dishes that raise money through the campaign.
• Proceeds support the launch of a 2030 strategic plan named Rooted In Community.
• The hashtag #PlateItForward tracks the campaign on social media.