This summer, the Durham Community Food Pantry (DCFP) welcomed Duke University graduate student Louis Scheinfeld through the Community‑Engaged Internship & Fellowship Program (CEIFP), an initiative run by the Duke Center for Community Engaged Scholarship (DCCES). Scheinfeld, a second-year graduate student pursuing his Masters in Applied Economics, is driven by all things data, striving to use statistics and economic analysis to better understand real-world problems as well as evaluate policies and programs. His interests made him a perfect candidate fort the community-oriented CEIFP program, as it connects Duke students with community… Read More
Disasters come in many forms, and no matter the scale or season, Catholic Charities shows up for neighbors in need. For our Cape Fear regional office, disaster response is not limited to hurricane season; it is a year‑round commitment defined by the realities of coastal living, from flooding and tornadoes to dangerously high temperatures. Each event brings its own challenges, but the mission remains constant: to provide compassionate, practical support when communities are most vulnerable. That commitment was put into action starting early this year. Over Mother’s Day weekend, tornadoes… Read More
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… Read More
For many nonprofits, disaster response is both a vital opportunity to show up for their community and a challenge marked by familiar hurdles. Fragmented information, rapidly shifting needs, and urgent demand for volunteers and resources can make efficient disaster relief coordination a challenge for even the most seasoned experts. This year, our Cape Fear regional office is taking a major step to overcome these obstacles by supporting the launch of the Nonprofit & Faith-Based Disaster Command Center, a collaborative initiative in New Hanover County designed to activate within 72 hours… Read More
When Cecilia “CeCe” Cruz completed her first year at East Carolina University, she reached a milestone no one in her family had achieved before. Her path to college was shaped by hard work, determination and the steady encouragement of her mother, Amalia Velasquez. It was also guided by a community that had been walking alongside their family long before college was part of the conversation. That community is Circle of Parents, a parent-led program of Catholic Charities in the Tar River Region. Growing out of a longstanding Hispanic women’s group,… Read More
This summer, Centro Para Familias Hispanas (CpFH) proudly led another joyous week of their popular children’s summer camp, Pequeños Gigantes, or Little Giants in English. Hosted at St. Raphael Catholic School and supported by the dedicated volunteers and teachers from St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, almost 60 children spent a week in July exploring creativity, teamwork, and faith‑centered values through lively class rotations and energetic games. The classes ranged from music, dance, arts and crafts, reading, and Faith in Action. Arts and crafts was a popular activity where campers… Read More
In North Carolina, spring and summer bring with them a special anticipation for gardeners across the state. There’s a unique kind of excitement that comes with watching something take root, not just in the soil, but in a community. The Tar River Regional Office is celebrating this gardening season by expanding their gardening efforts through “Lettuce Love,” a fresh initiative under the Nourishing Our Neighbors (NoN) campaign. Lettuce Love is an expansion of their gardening efforts that began in 2022, but it takes community gardening a step further by allowing… Read More
The Women’s Conference, Mujer Preparate, was held on Saturday, May 2nd from 1–5 PM, and welcomed 150 Latina women from across the region into a curated space filled with soft pink tones, fresh flowers, and a warm sense of unity. Many of the participants were wearing their best business casual as staff, volunteers, and speakers all wore white, creating a bright and uplifting atmosphere for the day. Hosted by Centro para Familias Hispanas, Mujer Preparate para el Exito (Women, Get Ready for Success) is a conference that seeks to empower… Read More
Service begins when someone chooses to show up for a neighbor. Across central and eastern North Carolina, Catholic Charities volunteers make that choice every day. They sort food, assist after disasters, offer a welcoming presence to immigrant families, and help meet local needs that look different from one community to the next. Their service is practical, personal, and deeply meaningful. “Volunteers are the heart of our mission,” said Jazzmin Wainright, Office Manager in the New Bern regional office. “Every volunteer brings something unique to our work, but they all share… Read More
Matthew 25:35: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” Catholic Parish Outreach (CPO) is a place that welcomes and serves our neighbors in need four days a week, year after year. They share a space with our Immigration Legal Services as well as the Centro para Familias Hispanas (CpFH) program, and every so often they are a magnificent third space for the community to gather over a roasted pig. What started 14 years ago as an opportunity to show folks the inner engine of the fine-tuned machine that CPO is, has turned into a full-on fest in… Read More
