SEPTEMBER 2025

Hello Neighbors,

Did you know that 1 in 5 children faces food insecurity - even right here in Ballantyne? September is National Hunger Action Month, and we are holding a Snack Drive to help re-stock snack supplies at all of the public schools in Ballantyne that we serve. Consider:

Hunger negatively impacts concentration, memory, and problem-solving skills.

Students who are well-fed are more likely to complete assignments, participate in class, and score better on tests.

You can participate in two ways - either bring individually-wrapped and snack-sized items from the list below to your school during the week of September 15 and place them in the collection bin, OR choose items from our Amazon Snack Drive Wish List at any time during September. All items shipped to us will be divided between schools. Here are the specific items that we are collecting:

Cheez-its

Goldfish

Ritz Cheese Crackers

Fruit Snacks

Quaker Chewy Granola Bars

Kind Bars (Gluten-Free)

Pretzels (Regular and Gluten-Free)

Pirates’ Booty

As always, we appreciate your support as we work to bridge the nutritional gap in our community!

If you need food assistance, please let your school counselor or social worker know. We are here for you.

Thank you,

PANTRY NEWS

We’ve had a busy start to the school year in the Food Pantry, completing 13 pantry shops in just two weeks! We are still re-stocking the shelves from summer break so if you’d like to help, please visit our Amazon Wish List for delivery to the pantry. You can also can drop off items to the Community House Middle School PTO office clearly labeled “For the Food Pantry”.

Families have been particularly enthusiastic about the addition of hygiene items to the pantry for the 2025-2026 school year. We now offer toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant and certain feminine hygiene items to help preserve families’ dignity and health. Thank you to Dr. Philip Hahn of Family Dental Choice for donating dental supplies to help us stock the shelves with toothbrushes, toothpaste and dental floss!

Currently, we are in need of men’s deodorant and feminine pads. These items are part of our Amazon Wish List.

Volunteer in the Pantry: We have many open spots for new and returning volunteers. All volunteers must be registered as a volunteer with Community House Middle School and will receive training during your first shift. Signups are now open on our Sign Up Genius.

Help Spread the Word! If you know someone who could benefit from the pantry who attends or works at a Ballantyne school, please have them reach out to their school counselor to get set up for help.

DONATE

AMAZON WISHLIST

PARTNERSHIPS / FOOD DRIVES

Thank you to Novant Health Medical Center - their summer food drive was so bountiful and was helped stock our bare shelves! They also generously donated 3 carts to use in the pantry as well as 12 emergency food boxes for counselors and social workers to keep in their offices. Finally, their employees wrote encouraging notes to accompany pantry orders and we are so grateful!

Food drives are important to keep our pantry well stocked. If you or a group you belong to would like to hold a food drive, please reach out to lauren@ballantynefamilies.org.

Volunteer Opportunity: Help families in need celebrate a birthday! This is a perfect way for scout troops, church groups, school clubs, and others to contribute by building Birthday Bags that include all supplies needed to bake a cake and celebrate! For more information click here or email lauren@ballantynefamilies.org.

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH

Congratulations to BROOKE SCHONFELD, our Grants and Corporate Alliance Leader, for being named Volunteer of the Month! Brooke has been a behind-the-scenes superstar for a long time. We asked her why she enjoys volunteering for BFHNIN:

“I find joy in collaborating with other volunteers to support families in our community facing hardships. Through kindness and understanding, we come together not only to meet immediate needs, but to inspire hope and create lasting, positive change in the lives of our neighbors. I am genuinely thankful for the opportunity to be part of this meaningful and uplifting organization.”

Thank you for all you do, Brooke!

WHAT'S NEXT

Week of September 15 - Snack Drive during National Hunger Action Month
October 20-31 - Thanksgiving/Winter Holiday Collection

COUNSELOR SPOTLIGHT

School counselors are the critical link between our services and students in need. We treasure each and every one of them! Please meet Alexandra DiOrio, the new school counselor at Endhaven Elementary.

About Alexandra:

I am from Upstate New York and moved to Charlotte in 2024.
I graduated from St. Lawrence University in 2021 with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and from The College of Saint Rose in 2024 with a Master’s of Education in School Counseling.
This is my second year in CMS and my first year at Endhaven Elementary School.
In my free time I like to read, ski, travel, and spend time with friends and family.

Thanks Alexandria for all you do for our kids!

Opportunities to give back:

🍎 Attention Rea Farms Families! We are looking for someone to serve as a BFHNIN School Champion to strengthen communications and support activities throughout the school year. If you are interested, please contact Jackie at jgyoerkoe811@hotmail.com

🍎 Help strengthen our Marketing efforts: Our Operating Committee always has room for people who want to share their professional skills. We need help keeping our marketing channels updated and consistent. Time commitment is one to three hours per week. Contact heather@ballantynefamilies.org.

🍎Help replenish our pantry for the new school year by donating to our Amazon Wish List

🍎 Volunteer in our pantry or one of our seasonal giving events

🍎 Engage with us on Facebook and Instagram (@bfhelpingneighborsinneed) and help amplify our mission

DONATE

AMAZON WISHLIST

14023 Lissadell Circle
Charlotte, North Carolina 28277
USA

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