FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA – Action Pathways Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast NC has received $28,000 from the Duke Energy Foundation to address food relief in Bladen, Cumberland, Duplin, Harnett, Hoke, Robeson, and Sampson counties during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The grant will fund hunger relief for K-12 students and their families by providing food boxes and other food distribution to families in need and impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Duke Energy Foundation recently pledged $250,000 to Feeding the Carolinas, the network of food banks, including Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast NC, that serve and address hunger in all 100 counties across North Carolina.

“We recognize the critical needs in our communities right now – and community groups like Action Pathways Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast NC are on the frontlines responding to the COVID-19 crisis, helping those who need it most, said Stephen De May, Duke Energy North Carolina president. “We are grateful for the work they are doing to feed communities in need.”

“We cannot thank the Duke Energy Foundation enough for this generous donation. This support will allow us to continue providing relief to children who are currently out of school and in need of meals,” said Action Pathways CEO Lonnie Ballard.

About Feeding the Carolinas
Feeding the Carolinas is a strategic alliance of the food banks in North and South Carolina who also belong to Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief charity. Feeding the Carolinas is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable nonprofit organization. Feeding the Carolinas is North and South Carolina’s only statewide hunger relief organization that continuously services all 146 counties. Our community-supported member food banks are private, non-governmental organizations, located in every corner of both states. www.feedingthecarolinas.org

About Action Pathways Second Harvest Food Bank
A proud member of Feeding America, Action Pathways Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina serves seven counties: Bladen, Cumberland, Duplin, Harnett, Hoke, Robeson, and Sampson. With a large rural service area, the organization relies on strong partnerships with over 260 churches, food pantries, and other nonprofits to distribute food to those in need. In southeast North Carolina, over 18 percent of people are at risk of hunger. SHFB is committed to improving access to healthy foods; advocating for those in need; empowering the community with emergency assistance and education.

About Duke Energy Foundation
The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The foundation contributes more than $30 million annually in charitable gifts and is funded by Duke Energy shareholder dollars. More information about the foundation and its Powerful Communities program can be found at duke-energy.com/foundation.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S. It employs 30,000 people and has an electric generating capacity of 51,000 megawatts through its regulated utilities, and 3,000 megawatts through its nonregulated Duke Energy Renewables unit.

More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos, and other materials. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.