CAHEC's Nutrition Assistance Initiative provided substantial food support to low-income families in North Carolina during November and December 2025 through multiple distribution events and school pantry programs. The initiative distributed over 50,000 meals across three major food distributions and two school pantries, representing a significant expansion of the organization's community support beyond its traditional housing focus.
In Rocky Mount, CAHEC collaborated with the Interfaith Food Shuttle for two distribution events that provided 21,029 pounds of food, equivalent to approximately 17,524 meals. Volunteers prepared boxes containing fresh produce, meat, bread, and non-perishable items for families who drove through the distribution sites. The Interfaith Food Shuttle operates as part of the Feeding America National Network of Food Banks, focusing specifically on serving North Carolina communities.
A separate distribution in Greensboro, conducted in partnership with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, served 294 households including 243 seniors, 404 children, and 394 adults. This event distributed over 37,000 pounds of food, equaling 31,029 meals, along with essential toiletries. Each participating household received a gift card to a local grocery store, enabling them to purchase additional groceries, medicines, or other essentials according to their specific needs.
CAHEC also sponsored School Choice pantries at Southeast Raleigh High School and Sanderson High School, which served 4,203 pounds of food totaling approximately 3,502 meals for students and their families as of November 30th. These school-based programs represent a targeted approach to addressing food insecurity among vulnerable populations who may face barriers to accessing traditional food distribution sites.
The Nutrition Assistance Initiative forms part of CAHEC's broader Community Investments program, which aims to provide educational and wellness opportunities to families living in properties within the CAHEC portfolio. Stefanie Lee, Community Relations Manager, emphasized the organization's commitment: "Providing nutrition assistance to our residents is a commitment we've made to ensure everyone has access to healthy meals year-round. Through this initiative, we go beyond housing to deliver essential support that builds stronger and healthier communities!"
This initiative matters because it demonstrates how community investment organizations are expanding their role in addressing systemic challenges beyond their core housing mission. With food insecurity affecting millions of Americans, particularly in low-income communities, programs like CAHEC's provide immediate relief while potentially serving as models for other organizations. The impact extends beyond nutritional support, as food security directly affects educational outcomes for children, health outcomes for seniors, and overall community stability.
The partnership approach with established food banks like Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina and Interfaith Food Shuttle represents an efficient model for leveraging existing infrastructure and expertise. By working through these networks, CAHEC can maximize the reach and effectiveness of its resources while supporting organizations with deep community knowledge and established distribution systems.
For residents in CAHEC properties and surrounding communities, these distributions provide not only immediate nutritional support but also demonstrate an organizational commitment to holistic community development. The inclusion of gift cards in the Greensboro distribution represents an innovative approach that respects recipients' autonomy and allows them to address their most pressing needs, whether for specific food items, medications, or other essentials.
As a community investment organization with operations in Raleigh, NC, and Columbia, SC, CAHEC typically focuses on housing through low-income housing tax credits, historic tax credits, new markets tax credits, and renewable energy credits. The expansion into direct food assistance signals a recognition that stable housing alone cannot ensure community wellbeing without addressing related challenges like food access. This integrated approach to community support may influence how other housing organizations structure their resident services and community engagement strategies moving forward.
