2024 Annual Impact Report for Feeding Kids Cleveland County
Our mission is to provide food and books to students and their families who are identified as food insecure in Cleveland County. We do this through our weekend food bags, school break food and book deliveries, and our annual Community Table Thanksgiving Meals.
In our county, 1 in 3 children are food insecure. Extended breaks from school such as Spring Break and Winter Break leave hundreds of students without a reliable source of food they would normally receive through the school nutrition program at both breakfast and lunch.
With the work of Cleveland County Schools social workers and our team of volunteers, we provide a bag of shelf-stable, kid-friendly food on weekends as well as a large box of shelf-stable food, a bag of fresh food, and age-appropriate books during the 4 major breaks from school throughout the year to bridge this nutritional gap: Spring Break, Summer Break, Thanksgiving Break, and Winter Break. During Summer Break, we deliver 3 times since this is the longest break for students.
This school year, we added three smaller scale deliveries to students at the three schools on a modified calendar. Our first one took place on October 5 and was received well by the families.
Additionally, on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day, we help host and coordinate 6 Community Table Thanksgiving Meals across Cleveland County to which all members of the community are invited.
Throughout the year, we make over 1,355 deliveries of food and books at school deliveries, provide over 5,000 weekend food bags, and feed over 1,400 people at Thanksgiving across our county, making sure students and families do not go hungry and aren’t alone.
A Message from Heather Stevens, Executive Director and Founder
Dear Friends and Supporters,
As I reflect on 2024, I’m filled with immense gratitude for what we’ve accomplished together at Feeding Kids Cleveland County. This past year has been one of tremendous growth, fueled by your generosity, your trust, and your unwavering commitment to the children of Cleveland County.
Because of you, we were able to serve 300 more children and their families during school breaks, making sure that even when schools were closed, bellies were still full and spirits remained lifted with the over 1,355 boxes of shelf-stable food and bags of fresh food we provided throughout the year. In addition to school break deliveries, we packed and delivered over 5,000 weekend bags filled with nutritious ready to eat foods for children in need.
Our impact didn’t stop with food. We also distributed nearly 7,000 books, opening new worlds for young readers and reinforcing the belief that their futures are bright and full of possibility.
This year, 62 new donors joined our mission, bringing our total to an incredible 333 supporters. Each new hand strengthens our community, and each gift, large or small, helps us go further than we ever could alone.
And what a celebration we had in December at the Light Ball Dash—raising over $45,000 with our Feeding Our Community Giving Campaign and the generosity of over 112 donors! That evening was not just a fundraiser; it was a joyful reminder of what community looks like when it comes together for a shared purpose.
As we continue in this new year, know this: every number in this report represents a child, a story, a moment made better because of you. Thank you for standing with us, for believing in our mission, and for helping us feed bodies, fuel minds, and nurture hope.
With gratitude,
Heather Stevens
Executive Director & Founder
Feeding Kids Cleveland County
Our 2024 Board of Directors and Leadership Team
Board of Directors
Masonya Ruff- President
Elizabeth Schweppe- Vice President
Marie Jackson- Treasurer
Nikki Littlejohn- Secretary
Margot Plonk
Leadership Team
Mallory Brown- Social Media, Website, Communications
Molly Brownlee- Reading Kids Cleveland County Coordinator
Tabatha Coker- School Break Delivery Coordinator
Jada Hardin- Volunteer Coordinator
Debbie Hart- Fresh Food Coordinator
Jennifer Niblack- Shelf-Stable Food Coordinator
Lynsie Stevens- Administrative Support and Special Item Coordinator
Community Context
“Food insecurity affects 16.4% of Cleveland County and is linked to many negative health and social problems and is now seen as a major public health concern. ”
According to data from 2022 found here, Cleveland County has a 16.4% food insecurity rate, meaning that roughly 16,370 people out of a total of 101,378 are considered food insecure.
Food insecurity means not always having enough food for a healthy, active life. The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines it as not having reliable access to enough food at times. It’s linked to many negative health and social problems and is now seen as a major public health concern. Common causes include unemployment, poverty, and sudden drops in income, which can make it hard for people to afford food. However, food assistance programs and stronger economic conditions can help reduce food insecurity.
Below are a few statistics from the Cleveland County Health Assessment. This report, created every four years by the Cleveland County Health Department, includes data collected from May 2023 to November 2024. It provides important information about the health and social challenges facing people in the county.
Here are a few highlights that directly impact the families that we serve:
20.2% of households with related children under 18 showed an income in the past twelve months as being below the poverty level.
45.51% of survey participants indicated that in the past twelve months they worried about food running out in the household before they had money to buy more food.
35.58% of survey participants indicated that in the past twelve months someone in the household reduced their meal size or skipped a meal because there wasn’t enough food for everyone in the household.
Another indicator which has relevance is the Social Vulnerability Index in which the higher the score, the more vulnerable the community is to certain social conditions, including poverty, vehicle access, financial stability and housing to name just a few. Cleveland County’s score (0.85) is higher than that of North Carolina at 0.63 and the United States at 0.58. This score often affects a community’s ability to respond to disaster. Our SVI is also higher than surrounding counties Gaston (0.65) and Lincoln (0.25).
Click the images above for a closer view.
Our 2024 Volunteers
“I have seen families and children smile with genuine smiles when I arrive to deliver, and it warms my heart to be able to help. I always get an energy boost on delivery days just from knowing I am helping families in my community. ”
Our work at Feeding Kids Cleveland County wouldn’t be possible without our amazing volunteers. Thanks to your time and effort, children and families across our community receive the food and essentials they need throughout the school year.
In 2024, we had 716 total people volunteer to deliver for our School Break deliveries. At the Feeding Kids space, we had over 552 total people volunteer throughout the year, completing tasks such as packing boxes of food, assembling weekend bags, taping boxes, sorting books, and packing fresh food.
From college students packing weekend bags to families assembling snack packs, and from food drives hosted by churches, schools, and businesses to generous donations and deliveries—every contribution matters. Even our local Food Lion employees volunteer after work to deliver and stock for our shelf stable food supply. We’re so grateful for each of you. Thank you for making a difference!
School Break Deliveries and Weekend Bags in 2024
“Feeding Kids Cleveland County has been a huge help to our large family! We have received food when we were struggling to cover the cost of feeding everyone over the summer. It has been a blessing to stock our pantry, and exciting to get some fresh foods like bananas, apples, and potatoes. Our young children are thrilled to get books, and recently received some much-needed school supplies. We have also received boxes to help us prepare special family meals on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Often, we receive a short note which encourages us too, so we feel cared for but not burdensome. We have been greatly blessed by this ministry!”
In 2024, our school break deliveries, which happen six times a year, served 1,355 families, including 4,207 children.
With the work of Cleveland County Schools social workers and our team of volunteers, we provide a box of shelf-stable food, a bag of fresh food, and age-appropriate books during the 4 major breaks from school throughout the year to bridge this nutritional gap: Spring Break, Summer Break, Thanksgiving Break, and Winter Break. During Summer Break, we deliver 3 times since this is the longest break for students.
This school year, we added three smaller-scale deliveries to students at the three schools on a modified calendar. Our first one took place on October 5 and was received well by the families. The students on this modified calendar attend the three elementary schools in the county considered low performing. They have extra breaks from school so that the teachers can attend additional continuing education classes and professional development opportunities to bridge the gap for students.
There is an increase in need here in Cleveland County and because of you, we were able to serve 300 more children over the course of the year.
In addition to School Break Deliveries, we provided 5,110 weekend bags filled with ready-to-eat, easily accessible food for children identified by school social workers as food insecure. These bags are distributed at school before each weekend during the school year.
Click the images above for a closer view.
Reading Kids Cleveland County’s Impact in 2024
Our Reading Kids Cleveland County initiative, which began in 2022, continues to grow and make a meaningful impact. What started as a way to provide books alongside our school break food deliveries has become a cornerstone of our mission to nourish both minds and bodies. In 2024, we distributed 6,676 books to children across the county.
Since the program began, we’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of our community—thanks to countless donations from individuals, schools, and businesses across Cleveland County, we have only had to purchase books two times for high school readers. Everything else has been donated.
Did you know that up to 61% of low-income families have no books in their homes? We're working to change that right here in Cleveland County. Our goal is to ensure that every child we serve receives one age-appropriate book and one family book six times a year—building their home libraries and supporting literacy from the ground up.
In 2024, we expanded our impact through partnerships with local organizations to install Little Free Libraries throughout the county. In 2023, we installed 5, and in April 2024, we proudly installed our sixth Little Free Library at Parkside Villa Apartments in partnership with the Gabe DeVoe Foundation (pictured). These libraries are free and open to all—take a book, leave a book—and are maintained in partnership with local groups and Feeding Kids Cleveland County. Click here to learn where our Little Free Libraries are.
Together, we're not only feeding kids—we’re empowering them to read, learn, and dream bigger.
2024 Community Table Thanksgiving Meals
On November 27, 2024, we served 1,540 meals at the annual Community Table Thanksgiving Meals. Each meal takes place in a different area of Cleveland County in order to serve all of our neighbors. This year, we partnered with local organizations and churches to provide 6 meals at the following sites:
Jefferson Park
Hope Community Church
Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Kings Mountain
Holly Oak Park
Piedmont Community Park
Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Waco
From those who prepared the food and donated money to those who set up tables and gave out hats and gloves to those who shared a meal with their neighbors, it was a great success again this year. We love seeing everyone come together for this special community meal. Our 2025 Community Table Thanksgiving Meal will take place on Wednesday, November 26.
our 2024 donors and Feeding Our Community Giving Campaign Success
“It’s the difference between barely getting by on whatever is left and having a decent meal with your family, which every human being should be able to do. Children should never go hungry or feel the impacts of economics on what they can eat and how often.”
In 2024, generosity towards Feeding Kids Cleveland County was remarkable.
Thanks to 333 incredible donors—most of whom live right here in our own backyard—we received a total of $79,804 in donations, with an average gift of $240. We were especially excited to welcome 62 first-time donors to our Feeding Kids Cleveland County community.
In the fall, we introduced our Feeding Our Community Giving Campaign, which garnered over $45,000 in support.
We are thankful to the 21 official sponsors at both the family level and corporate/business level for their increased generosity towards this campaign. We are also thankful to Claire McCullough for coordinating our sponsorships this year. She did an amazing job and we are grateful!
Thank you to the following sponsors of the Feeding Our Community Giving Campaign:
Sustaining Sponsor: Cornerstone Dental Associates
Gold Sponsor: North Point Custom Builders
Silver Sponsors: Coca-Cola Consolidated; Horn, Pack, Brown & Dow Attorneys at Law
Bronze Sponsors: Joyce Boyette, Foothills Commercial Real Estate, Chuck & Sally Schweppe-DePaolo, Halcyon Salon, Chuck & Laura Lampley, Claire, Lilly, & Anna Grace McCullough, NYC Tree Girls, Schweppe Law Firm, Shelby Presbyterian Church, and Shelby Hearing Center
In-Kind Sponsors: Allison Golf Cars, Four B Farm
Friends Sponsors: Janet Berry, Gail Daves, Monroe Sales, Co., Holland Hamrick Architects, McDaniel-Scott Allstate Agency
Every single gift, whether big or small, helped us take a big step toward ending food insecurity in our community. We are so grateful for this growing circle of support—it’s your heart for local children that keeps us going strong!
As we close out our 2024 Annual Impact Report, we extend our deepest gratitude to every volunteer, donor, partner, and supporter who made this year possible. Because of your generosity, thousands of children in Cleveland County went to bed with full stomachs and the comfort of knowing someone cares. Every packed bag, every food drive, every hour spent delivering or stocking shelves has helped us grow stronger as a community.
Feeding Kids Cleveland County is more than an organization—it’s a movement powered by compassion, connection, and the belief that no child should go hungry. Food is a basic human right.
As we continue in 2025, we remain committed to serving with heart, purpose, and hope. Together, we are feeding futures.