Shelters, food bank and social services ask Beaufort County for funding as demand grows

Several Beaufort County service providers asked commissioners for funding at the May 20 budget workshop, citing rising demand for meals, shelter and casework and asking the county to sustain or expand services.

The Food Bank of the Albemarle requested $5,000 to help cover transportation and distribution costs to 23 partner agencies in the county; executive director Liz Risner told commissioners the food bank leverages county dollars to attract further grants and partners. Open Door Community Center (Terry Johnson) described expanding its women's shelter from nine to 24 beds and said the shelter is now open 24/7; Johnson asked for funding to support the increased operating and transportation needs (including a van for client transport). Safe Harbor Helpline (Sally Love) described a 24/7 referral and short-stay motel program that has handled hundreds of family placements and more than 200 calls per month and requested county support as it transitions to an independent nonprofit.

Zion Shelter and Kitchen reported serving roughly 26,000 plates per year and described partnerships with the Washington Housing Authority and plans for a 20-bed men's shelter; the group said rising food and program costs require increased funding. Southside Together asked for expansion of its food pantry to serve more than 500 people per month. Several other smaller community organizations — Belle Haven after-school programs, Bath Recreation and local libraries — also requested operational or capital support.

Speakers pointed to county-level transportation and workforce barriers and to exhaustion of one-time ARPA investments that previously helped build capacity. Commissioners did not make funding decisions at the workshop; staff will include these requests in the budget-refinement process on May 26 and the June 1 public hearing.