Drive Out Hunger Golf Outing Raises $107K Setting New Record in 2026
Catholic Charities has always been inspired by the generosity and compassion of their supporters, and the 2026 Drive Out Hunger Golf Outing showed that their impact continues to grow. Under bright Carolina skies, this year’s event was one to remember, welcoming 209 golfers, and raising a record $107,000 thanks to the dedication of sponsors, featuring the Diocese of Raleigh as the lead sponsor, players, volunteers, and partners!
Attendees enjoyed classic features of the event including traversing the rolling fairways of Prestonwood Country Club and the Crooked Kneedles foursome showing up in their signature tartan kilts. Very Reverend Michael Burbeck, Vicar General for the Diocese of Raleigh, helped center golfers around the mission of Catholic Charities through his opening prayer, asking for blessings for both golfers as well as the families served by Catholic Charities.
However, this year also mixed things up and introduced exciting elements, adding to the golf outing experience. Right as golfers arrived, they spotted something novel as the Catholic Charities Savor Food Truck made an appearance! Recognizable by their merlot and lime green colors, the recently launched social enterprise of Catholic Charities provided a hearty breakfast for the Drive Out Hunger participants. Golfers chose between the Sunrise Breakfast Bowl or the Leo Breakfast Bowl, both packed with healthy ingredients to start the golfers’ day off right.
While on either the Highlands or Meadows course, golfers enjoyed expanded opportunities to put their skills to the test by challenging professional golfers from Backswing Golf Events. Participants could step up to challenge these pros to a long drive and closest to the pin contest, with the most talented swings winning raffle tickets for coveted prizes. No matter how a group chose to participate, everyone felt like winners as they enjoyed a tasty lunch donated by Empire Eats, celebrated long drives, sunk tricky putts, and received an occasional lucky bounce.
While fun was a key component of the day, Board Chair Lionel Randolph Jr. also reflected on what was accomplished through the generosity around the Drive Out Hunger Golf Outing. “Catholic Charities serves Central and Eastern North Carolina through eight regions and 900 volunteers, assisting 60,000 families and impacting over a quarter of a million individuals while distributing about 6.5 million pounds of food. Your participation today helps with those goals and those needs in the community.”
Even as the temperatures rose throughout the day, the energy on the course was unmistakable. That energy certainly spiked as golfers were welcomed into the deliciously cool air of the Prestonwood clubhouse and greeted by a team of Catholic Charities staff, led by CEO, Lisa Perkins.
When asked about his experience at Drive Out Hunger, participant Patrick Lally remarked, “I got to golf with my dad on a great course for a great cause. It was a lot of fun.”
Participants regained their strength as they feasted on a selection of classic summer fare and listened to Chief Development Officer Katey Fithian announced the on-course accomplishments, raffle prize winners, and the top silent auction contenders. Fithian remarked, “Just when we thought last year’s record-breaking event was amazing, this year’s 2026 golf outing happened. We all know how much the cost of groceries have risen recently, so to be in a room where so many of you chose to go above and beyond in their contributions to raise money for our food pantries to provide food for our neighbors, means the world.”
This extraordinary community of supporters, committed to helping families across central and eastern North Carolina, experienced more than a day of friendly competition. It was a record‑breaking demonstration of generosity, solidarity, and hope. As the golfers returned home, Catholic Charities staff and volunteers went home with full hearts knowing the impact these funds will have for our neighbors in need.