Our hearts are with our neighbors in Western NC in the aftermath of this disaster.
Access to healthy food is more important than ever in an emergency. Thank you to the school nutrition professionals, food bank staffers, and many others who are on the ground distributing food in their communities.
We are collecting links with information on how to help. Last updated Monday, October 7, 2024.
- NC Hurricane Helene Central from the NC Department of Public Safety
- USDA: North Carolina Disaster Nutrition Assistance
- Huge list of resources from the NC Alliance for Health
- NC Department of Health and Human Services: North Carolinians Enrolled in Food and Nutrition Services Can Use Benefits to Buy Hot Food Following Hurricane Helene
- Food Assistance Sites and more from Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC
- Food bank information from Feeding the Carolinas
- Updates from the NC Alliance of YMCAs
- The NC Department of Public Instruction Facebook page is posting lots of great information related to schools and child nutrition programs
- UNC-Chapel Hill’s central page for Hurricane Helen relief
- Personal reflection from educator Ryan Mitchell
Here is the latest on how federal nutrition programs are reponding:
Child Nutrition Programs
- During unanticipated school closures, Summer Nutrition Program sponsors are able to provide free meals to kids and teens ages 18 or younger. Waivers are in place that allow flexibilities including allowing meals to eaten offsite as well as allow parents to pick up meals. These flexibilities are also approved for the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, which benefits schools offering remote learning.
- Check school district websites/social media for updated information on how/where meals are being served in specific districts.
- The Child and Adult Care Food Program has also been approved for a waiver to allow flexibiilities in how meals are served, including allowing meals to be eaten offsite and for parents and guardians to be able to pick-up meals.
- Families that have SUN Bucks benefits remaining are able to use them to purchase hot foods through November 3.
SNAP
- SNAP recipients in 23 WNC counties will recieve 70% of their total monthly September benefits back on their EBT card.
- SNAP recipients can use SNAP benefits to purchase hot foods through November 3.
- NC has applied for D-SNAP, but as of 10/7 is still waiting for approval.
Do you another resource we need to add? Let us know at carolinahungerinitiative@unc.edu.