AN ACT to appropriate funds to the food bank of CENTRAL & eastern north carolina for construction of a new food bank facility in the city of wilmington.

Whereas, the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina (Food Bank) serves over 100 partner agencies across Brunswick, Columbus, Duplin, New Hanover, and Pender Counties; and

Whereas, currently, more than 107,200 people in these counties are facing food insecurity and of that number more than 32,000 are children and at least 29,000 are senior citizens. Food insecurity in that area has increased by 38% due to the COVID‑19 pandemic; and

Whereas, plans are underway to build a new food bank facility in the City of Wilmington. The new facility will be almost triple in size at 30,000 square feet and will be able to provide a more efficient distribution of food for each of the local hunger relief partners in southeastern North Carolina; and

Whereas, the new Wilmington facility will provide a 500% increase in the Food Bank's cold storage capacity, allowing greater distribution of healthy, fresh foods and high‑quality proteins. Last year, the Wilmington Food Bank was able to distribute more than 4.1 million pounds of fresh produce and nutritious protein despite space restrictions; and

Whereas, in response to Hurricane Florence, the Food Bank distributed 14,969,375 pounds of food, water, and supplies. A new food bank facility in the City of Wilmington will also help to increase response time and better preparation for disasters, resulting in more immediate and comprehensive mobilization across the Cape Fear region; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, Inc., a nonprofit organization, the sum of seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2021‑2022 fiscal year for the construction of a new food bank facility in the City of Wilmington to support the health and well-being of children, seniors, and adults across southeastern North Carolina.

SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2021.