From Hawaii to Halifax: How a gift fund at NCCF provides hometown support
The Tuesday before Thanksgiving, more than 300 families lined up outside St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Enfield for free hot meals, fresh produce, and pantry staples.
In the rural Halifax County town that consistently ranks among the poorest in North Carolina, the need was real and the turnout reflected it. Many families were also coping with delays in receiving their federal SNAP benefits for food, making the distribution especially meaningful.
The event was organized by one of Enfield’s own, Dearonne Bethea, a retired U.S. Army veteran and successful entrepreneur who lives in Hawaii but grew up in the town. With support from the Dearonne and Pamela Bethea Foundation Gift Fund, administered by the North Carolina Community Foundation since 2017, Bethea and his wife Pamela provided food through the charitable organization Ripe for Revival. The nonprofit arm of Ripe Revival increases access to healthy food through mobile markets, meal programs and community partnerships in eastern North Carolina.
“When I left home many years ago, I always knew I wanted to come back and give,” Bethea said. “A lot of these people, I slept at their house. I grew up with their kids. They raised me. Enfield is just one of those communities where everybody knows everybody.”
Since partnering with NCCF, the Betheas have awarded more than $62,000 in grants supporting Halifax County and Hawaii. They’ve funded scholarships, school field trips, holiday meals, mobile food distributions, and disaster relief. Bethea credits NCCF with making giving simpler and more impactful.
“The North Carolina Community Foundation gives you all the resources. I didn’t have to worry about paperwork or legal stuff. They handle all of that,” he said.
The Thanksgiving event was sparked when Bethea learned about SNAP benefit delays earlier in the month. He reached out to NCCF Program Officer Kelly Lee, who introduced him to Ripe for Revival. Together, they coordinated the distribution, serving hundreds of families with meals and fresh groceries.
Will Kornegay, founder and CEO of Ripe for Revival, praised Bethea’s leadership. “Dearonne spearheaded this event. Without Dearonne, it wouldn’t have happened. Great things happen when people come together for a common good,” said Kornegay.
The event was a community-wide effort. Dozens of volunteers distributed food and greeted families. ECU Health North Hospital staff administered free health screenings, supported by Healthy Blue, Blue Cross NC’s Medicaid managed care plan.
“I believe you’re supposed to bless others as you continue to get blessed,” Bethea said.
After receiving dozens of thankful hugs from friends and neighbors, he reflected on the generosity of his hometown. “The reaction has been unbelievable. I think everybody wants to give back in their heart. They just don’t know how to go about doing it.”