Haywood Christian Ministry and The Community Kitchen among local partners receiving support to meet rising food-assistance needs

Charlotte, N.C. – As food pantries and nonprofits across North Carolina work urgently to meet rising demand brought on by higher living costs, increased food prices, and the temporary halt of SNAP benefits during the nation’s longest government shutdown, resources are being stretched thinner than ever, just ahead of the holiday season. With many organizations experiencing shrinking donations and growing need, the private sector is stepping forward to support vulnerable households in their communities.

In response, Canopy Realtor® Association has donated $25,000 to five food-assistance organizations serving Mecklenburg, Iredell, and Haywood Counties. Each organization received $5,000 to bolster daily operations, replenish pantry inventory, and meet the rapidly increasing number of families seeking help.

The following organizations received contributions:

• Haywood Christian Ministry – Waynesville, NC
• The Community Kitchen – Canton, NC
• The Hearts & Hands Food Pantry - Charlotte, NC
• Fifth Street Ministries - Statesville, NC
• Mooresville Christian Mission - Iredell County, NC

“These organizations are on the front lines every day, ensuring that families, seniors, and individuals facing hardship do not go without essentials,” said Charisma Southerland, President of Canopy Realtor® Association/Canopy MLS. “We recognize and deeply appreciate the critical role they play across the communities our members serve. This support is one way we can stand beside them as they work to meet rising need.”

Across the region, food banks and pantries experienced unprecedented strain as the lapse in SNAP benefits during the shutdown affected millions of low-income households. Seniors and other vulnerable groups were especially impacted, often forced to choose between food, medication, and other essentials. Now that the shutdown has ended and SNAP has been restored, pantries are working urgently to restock during the holidays, when demand is typically great. 

The Foundation’s contribution aims to help organizations continue delivering essential resources during this exceptionally challenging period. Funding will support the purchase of food, supplies, and other critical items needed to sustain pantry operations and ensure families have reliable access to nutritious meals.

About Canopy Realtor® Foundation
Canopy Realtor® Association is ranked the 15^th largest association in the country and is the professional trade association that provides services and resources to its membership of more than 14,000 Realtor® members. The Association is dedicated to being the region's primary resource for residential real estate information and operates Canopy MLS which is ranked the 17^th largest MLS in the country with more than 22,000 subscribers in the Charlotte, Asheville and Hickory-Lenoir regions, including York-Lancaster-Chester Counties in South Carolina, and beyond. The Canopy Housing Foundation is the charitable arm of Canopy Realtor® Association and is focused on addressing unmet housing needs. Canopy Real Estate Institute is the official real estate school of the Association providing members lifelong learning and professional development.

Original Publish Date: 12/2/2025