The ongoing federal government shutdown is having a serious impact on women and families across the country—including right here at YWCA Central Carolinas. Many of our participants rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to put food on the table. Because of the shutdown, those benefits are now delayed or reduced. This disruption affects 100% of the families in our Families Together (FT) program, 40% of the women in our Women in Transition (WIT) program and many of the families enrolled in our Youth Learning Centers (YLCs).
As we continue to monitor the situation and the uncertainty surrounding SNAP funding, including when benefits will be restored, many families will still face delays before assistance reaches them.
Now more than ever, we need your help to fill this urgent and growing food gap for the people we serve. Together, we can make sure that women and families who call YWCA home continue to have access to the food and support they need.
How You Can Help
1. Donate $25 Gift Cards — Highest Priority: Gift cards to Food Lion or Aldi are the fastest, most effective way to help right now. They will be distributed directly to women and families in our housing programs and Youth Learning Center programs across Mecklenburg and Union counties.
2. Donate Non-Perishable Food Items: We are accepting specific non-perishable food donations to ensure participants receive what they need most. Please only donate items from the following list:
- White or brown rice
- Black beans or pinto beans
- Canned corn or string beans
- Bag or box of pasta
- Saltine or Ritz crackers
- Soup (chicken noodle or tomato; please avoid soups with dairy)
- Peanut butter
- Grape jelly
- Loaf of white or wheat bread
- Canned tuna
- Oatmeal
- Granola bars
- Peanut butter crackers
- 32 oz granulated sugar
- 32 oz all-purpose flour
3. Host a Dinner for Transitional Housing Participants: Provide a warm, nourishing meal to women and families currently living in YWCA’s housing programs. It’s a simple way to offer comfort, connection and care during this uncertain time. Please prepare to deliver and set up food for participants that can serve approximately 25-30 people. Meals should be able to be individually packaged to-go. Visit this link for details and to sign up to host a dinner. Opportunities are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Additional Ways to Support
We also encourage you to support our community partners—Nourish Up and Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina—who are working tirelessly to fight hunger across our region.
Drop-Off Details
Gift cards and non-perishable food items can be dropped off at the YWCA front desk 9 AM-7 PM. Every item collected will go directly to the women and families in our housing and youth programs.
Your generosity—whether it’s a gift card, a meal or a simple act of kindness—helps ensure no woman or family goes without food or hope in the coming weeks. We will continue to update this post as our needs and the situation evolve.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Jamila Green, Community Engagement Manager, at jgreen@ywcacentralcarolinas.org.
