Nonprofits and social services urge Pender County to maintain or increase funding in budget work session

Dozens of local nonprofits and service providers told Pender County commissioners April 30 that demand for food, housing repair and senior services is rising and that county support remains critical to leverage other funding.

Dawn Ellis, executive director of Share the Table, said the food pantry distributed more than 600,000 pounds of food in 2025 and asked the county for $15,000 to buy fresh produce, dairy and proteins for a healthy pantry. "The need is great, and it continues to rise," Ellis said, adding the pantry serves roughly 1,200 to 1,400 people per week.

Sandy Harris of Pender County Christian Services described food, clothing and emergency programs and requested $10,000 to cover roughly two months of food costs. Harris noted increased demand across the county and the need for collaboration with other local agencies to serve homeless residents and veterans.

Other presentations included WARM, which highlighted its home‑repair and disaster resiliency work across multiple counties and asked the county to continue funding that helps leverage state and federal dollars; United Way discussed targeted investments and the Pender Long Term Recovery Group; and community groups such as Will Outreach, the Pender Arts Council and small local libraries and museums outlined requests for operations or capital needs. The Atkinson Library requested $8,500 to support expanded hours and staffing; the Pender County Historical Society asked for about $8,350 for interior and exterior repairs; and the Pendley Homestead Museum asked for assistance with a roof replacement (the precise amount in the transcript was unclear).

Why it matters: county funding decisions affect a network of nonprofits that deliver nutrition, housing stabilization, senior services and cultural programming. Several presenters said local dollars unlock state, federal and philanthropic funds or allow organizations to complete projects and continue services to vulnerable residents.

What’s next: commissioners heard the requests during the work session and will consider them as part of the broader county budget process. No final allocations were decided during the meeting.