A Fresh Start

Food is more than just sustenance; it’s a fresh start—a new beginning. Over the years, poverty has been an echoing force throughout our community. According to the 2022 Wake County Health Needs Assessment, 9.1% of the Wake County population lives below the poverty line, which is estimated to be 108,000 of 1.2 million residents. In contrast, almost half of North Carolina’s children live in those households.

On Wednesday, January 4th, Nick Robertson, Director of Hunger and Nutrition, hosted a collaboration meeting for our board members, donors, and staff to discuss how to alleviate childhood hunger through Project Pivot. Shifting from our very busy drive-thru food pick-up to relationships with partner agencies, like Southlight, filling and delivering additional food boxes, and supplying at-risk children in our schools with healthy snacks and meals. Alone we can do so little. Together, we can help support the youth when they need it the most and create a better environment.

Every child deserves food. Every child deserves a chance at education. They just need the opportunity. Hunger is more than just missing a meal; the psychological, emotional, and social impacts on a child can have lasting adverse effects. Lack of food can affect a child’s learning abilities. Project Pivot is about community. We’re building it, enriching it, and giving back to it. Get a fresh start this year by giving back. Take action and insist that we can do better for our children, families, and community. Community is what makes our mission possible and allows us to empower so many new beginnings.

The program is entirely donation, and volunteer-based, so constant engagement from the community is what keeps the fire fueled. If Project Pivot’s mission resonates with you, please consider donating to those in need; contact Nick Robertson at

nrobertson@urbanmin.org.

Thank you for sharing your generous hearts with us.