The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
BFA continues to provide emergency assistance to large numbers of our neighbors in need. In the last 6 years, the dollar value of our services has gone from $955,000 to just over $2.8 Million in 2022. In the same period, we have increased the amount of food distributed to clients by nearly 100,000 pounds. We continue to enhance our intake and assistance at satellite offices in various parts of the County to provide more convenient, improved service to our clients and to reduce their transportation costs. Also, this year BFA launched our mobile food pantry initiative to further eliminate barriers to hunger relief in our community. Through this initiative, BFA has been able to bring the food pantry to the clients who are unable to get to one of our Shallotte or Leland offices for services. We currently operate the mobile food pantry at three locations (Ash, Southport and Supply) throughout each month. Clients visiting the mobile food pantry for food can also see an intake worker to discuss and address other needs, such as financial assistance. During the calendar year 2022, BFA provided nearly $2,000,000 in services to eligible Brunswick County residents. Housing Assistance is up by 50% compared to this time last year, RX is up by 9%, and emergency shelter is up by 32%. Of the $2,000,000 provided, $207,054 was used for utility assistance, impacting 7,434 individuals (2,542 families) and $178,777 was used for rental assistance, impacting 1,822 individuals (632 families). Overall, in 2022, BFA assisted nearly 40,000 of our Brunswick County neighbors, living in crisis.