United Way Welcomes Bread of Life Food Pantry as Newest Community Partner

December 9, 2009

The Beaufort County United Way Board of Directors unanimously voted for the Bread of Life Food Pantry located in Aurora, NC to become the newest community partner to its diverse line-up of local health and human service organizations.

The Bread of Life Food Pantry provides food assistance to approximately 70-to-100 low-income households each month. It is operated by a team of volunteers--several seen in the picture below.

Bread of Life Volunteers

From Left to Right: Sabra Hamilton, Volunteer; Veronica Hamilton, Executive Director; Sheila Guion, Treasurer; Ethel Guion, Volunteer

Currently, the Beaufort County United Way funds two local food banks--Eagle's Wings in Washington, NC and St. Dorcas' Ecumenical Outreach Ministries in Belhaven, NC. In addition to those organizations, the Food Bank of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City, NC receives United Way funds, since it is the main food distributor to15 food pantries located in Beaufort County.

Mary Elizabeth McNeill, Executive Director of the BCUW, stated, "The Bread of Life Food Pantry meets a unique need in a geographic area in Beaufort County that is not easily served by existing local food pantries partially funded by the United Way. After an extensive application process, the board was extremely impressed by this organization's ability to serve those requiring food assistance in the southeastern part of our county."

Meeting basic human needs like food, clothing, and shelter continues to be a critical focal point for the United Way. McNeill believes that the degree in which these areas are met directly correlates with the overall health and vitality of the community. "We are fortunate that Bread of Life Food Pantry has joined us and our 17 partners in a collaborative effort to ensure Beaufort County citizens access to a wide variety of health and human service programs," McNeill commented.

Back