CAHEC supported communities through its Nutrition Assistance Initiative by sponsoring three major food distributions and a School Pantry program during November and December. The initiative distributed food equating to over 50,000 meals to low-income families across multiple North Carolina communities.
In Rocky Mount, CAHEC collaborated with the Interfaith Food Shuttle, a nonprofit member of the Feeding America network. Volunteers prepared and distributed 21,029 pounds of food, approximately 17,524 meals, to families who received fresh produce, meat, bread, and non-perishable items through drive-through distributions.
Another distribution in Greensboro was conducted in partnership with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, a leading domestic hunger relief organization. This event served 294 households including 243 seniors, 404 children, and 394 adults, distributing over 37,000 pounds of food equaling 31,029 meals. Each household also received a gift card to a local grocery store for additional essentials.
CAHEC additionally sponsored School Choice pantries at Southeast Raleigh High School and Sanderson High School. As of November 30th, the program distributed 4,203 pounds of food, approximately 3,502 meals, to students and their families.
The Nutrition Assistance Initiative represents a strategic component of CAHEC's Community Investments, 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!"
For business and technology leaders, CAHEC's approach demonstrates how community investment organizations can leverage their resources and partnerships to address systemic challenges. The initiative shows how strategic corporate social responsibility programs can create measurable impact through collaboration with established nonprofit networks. The integration of nutrition assistance with housing services represents a holistic approach to community development that addresses multiple determinants of wellbeing simultaneously.
The scale of these distributions—over 50,000 meals across multiple communities—highlights how targeted initiatives can create substantial local impact. The inclusion of grocery store gift cards provides families with agency in meeting their specific needs, while school-based pantries address food insecurity among vulnerable student populations. These efforts reflect a growing recognition in the affordable housing sector that stable housing must be complemented by access to basic necessities like nutrition.
CAHEC's model of combining housing investment with direct community support through initiatives like the Nutrition Assistance Program offers insights for organizations across sectors seeking to create sustainable social impact. The partnerships with established food distribution networks demonstrate efficient resource allocation, while the focus on measurable outcomes (meals distributed) provides clear accountability for community investments.
