Watauga County Community Foundation advisory board members recently visited Boone-based nonprofit Hunger and Health Coalition to learn more about their work to support individuals and families experiencing economic hardship and food shortages.

WCCF has awarded almost a dozen grants to the organization totaling more than $30,000 in support. Projects they have supported include general operating support, food assistance, and garden beautification.

The Hunger and Health Coalition helps alleviate poverty by providing healthy foods, prescription medications and related services in a compassionate manner for families and individuals in need. Since its inception in 1982, the Hunger and Health Coalition goes beyond giving clients a food box – they educate their community and clients, they empower their neighbors in need, and they invest locally.

In 2023, the organization gave 12,372 boxes of food, amounting to over 100,000 pounds, to people in need. In addition to food, the organization dispensed more than 17,000 prescriptions in over 4,000 client visits during the year.