Dear friends,

As we move into the final months of the year, the need in our communities is great. With benefit cuts, rising food prices, and other economic challenges, it’s harder than ever for many families to put meals on the table. That’s why the help PORCH volunteers provide to stock local pantries is so critical. And it is why we are working hard to ensure our reach is as wide as possible. 

To that end, we are pleased to announce we’ve forged a new partnership with the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina. We are working together to help establish new PORCH chapters with their network of 700 pantries. This collaboration is a major vote of confidence in our organization, supports connections at the local level, and in turn, strengthens our overall impact.

Now is the perfect time to play an even bigger role in our collective impact by making a gift to PORCH Communities. Give now and your donation will be doubled by a generous matching gift. So double your impact and cross this off your to-do list today.

Thank you for being part of this growing movement of neighbors helping neighbors. Together, we can support healthier families, stronger support systems, and more connected communities. 

Let’s build hunger relief that’s both local and everywhere.

With gratitude, The Rea

Christine M. Cotton

CEO/Founder

• MD - Bethesda and Gaithersburg  |  NY - Camillus and DeWitt
• NC - Cary, Morrisville, Wilmington, and Youngsville  |  FL - Coral Gables
  
• SC - Mt. Pleasant  |  TN - East Ridge |  TX - Pflugerville  |  VA - Hampton

These additions bring us to 21 new chapters so far this year. Thank you for sharing our story and inspiring others to get involved — together, we’re creating sustainable, neighborhood-based hunger relief programs!

The PORCH Communities team went all in on Hunger Action Month in September, conducting education sessions, partnering with companies, and advocating for financial support. We joined friends of PORCH Communities hosting PORCH parties to make the case for supporting our growth. We partnered with companies such as Bank of America (see on LinkedIn!), BWXT, Vertical IQ, First Carolina Bank, and Yardi to help stock pantry shelves and share how to get involved. Several university teams are also getting in the game -- we spoke with UNC women’s gymnastics and Kennesaw State women’s basketball, to name two.

If you or someone you know works at an organization that aligns with our values and wants to get involved, please introduce us! Contact us at info@porchcommunities.org to connect.

Partnering for Stronger Pantries Across

North Carolina — and Beyond

We’re excited to announce a major step forward in our vision of a PORCH in every community — a new partnership with the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina. Together, we’ll help provide a more reliable stream of pantry staples to 700+ pantries across 34 counties.

With federal support shrinking and need on the rise, 1 in 7 North Carolinians are facing food insecurity. By combining PORCH’s neighborhood-powered food drives with the Food Bank’s regional infrastructure, we’re building a food supply that is not only reliable — but community-specific, dignified, and sustainable.

This collaboration shows what’s possible when grassroots action meets large-scale systems. If your state has a food bank ready to team up, we’d love to explore similar partnerships — connect with us at info@porchcommunities.org.

Make this Season of Giving twice as meaningful. Your donation to PORCH Communities will be matched — doubling your impact for families facing hunger. Give today while it’s on your mind and cross something wonderful off your to-do list.

National News:

• Data Loss Alert: What we lose with the cancellation of the USDA’s Annual Food Insecurity Survey
• Understanding the SNAP Funding Cuts and Rule Changes: New employment proof rules now apply to people up to age 65 and vets among others; new administration requirements for food programs; and funding reductions significantly remake the program. Summary by FRAC, and a clear in-depth article by the Center of Budget and Policy Priorities.

PORCH Gets Personal: 

• PORCH volunteer leaders, partners, and board members share why they show up. Check out their stories, lovingly produced by our summer interns: videos by Isa Makhuli and blogs by Zoe Sinclair.

PORCH in the News! 

• ABC11: Food Bank Announces a New Partnership with PORCH Communities
  
• CBS17: My Carolina video feature: ‘PORCH in a Week’ Brings Attention to Growing Need at Food Pantries Across North Carolina
• Williamsburg Next Door Neighbors: PORCH Williamsburg featured in the August 2025 edition (page 36)
• Syracuse.com: PORCH Communities feature
• LeMoyne Alumni Magazine: PORCH Communities and its founder are featured
• Miami's Community News: PORCH Pinecrest fighting child hunger
• WDBJ7: PORCH Roanoke featured in 2 articles and a video!