I don’t believe I’ve ever used the word “Urgent” when asking for your support, but what families in Wilkes County are facing today is a crisis.

That’s because one of every five people in Wilkes County receives a stipend from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help feed their families. Eighty percent of those families are working but struggling to make ends meet.

SNAP benefits were stopped and now are only partially restored. Federal employees have been placed on furlough without pay. Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission’s Emergency Assistance program has closed until further notice.

If everything were to magically go back to “normal” tomorrow, that wouldn’t mean food on the table tomorrow night. And, frankly, this hurts farmers, grocers, and our local economy, too!

Our safety net for our neighbors and friends has never been more fragile, and that’s why I am asking for your help.

The Health Foundation is working with our community partners—Second Harvest Food Bank, local food pantries, the school system, The Partnership for Children, The Health Department, the community college, churches, EVERYONE who cares about our community, to provide help.

Everyone should know where their next meal is coming from. Our neighbors need us.

Loving our neighbors requires action.

We’ll use every dime and dollar you donate to the Community Support Fund to secure additional food and ensure it gets distributed throughout the county to the wonderful people who know best who among us has the least.