Serving individuals and communities where they are.
NC is the 10th hungriest state in the US, with 1 in 5 children and 1 in 10 seniors experiencing food insecurity. Through partnerships with Food Lion and similar organizations, GIENC will distribute $5000 worth of gift cards and $15000 worth of food to those in need. If you'd like to help, bring any non-perishable food to your local Goodwill, and we will make sure it goes to someone in need.
We collect, process, and sell donated clothing, and we support community partners through the purchase and distribution of new clothing for youth. Essential to the concept of dignity and respect for all, GIENC has provided children combating homelessness with much-needed shoes, undergarments, school outfits, and coats. We continue to work with organizations to establish and stock sustainable clothing closets.
GIENC is proud to support Living with Autism in its mission to provide a comprehensive, person-centered program for adults with autism by providing recreational equipment and 3D printed assets like job aids and communication tools.
Youth face a number of barriers to successful learning. Food insecurity, homelessness, and lack of adequate resources to purchase needed supplies present unique barriers to education. One way in which GIENC steps into that gap is through the building and distribution of school kits. Each kit is designed to address the needs of each student, showing them that GIENC and the community at large supports their education. Recipients of school kits have included: Elizabeth City Middle School, River Road Middle School, HL Trigg Community School, Haliwa-Saponi Tribal School, Townsend Middle School, Luther Nick Jeralds Middle School, Rochelle Middle School, Dillard Middle School, Wayne Middle/High Academy, Vance County Middle School, AdVance Academy, The Boys and Girls Club of Oxford, Elizabeth City Council.
Hygiene kits represent another way in which GIENC serves others where they are. Working with community partners, GIENC has curated a kit that provides essentials to address basic hygiene needs. Kits are assembled in GIENC’s Volunteer Center and then distributed directly to individuals or through community partners.
A basic understanding of science, technology, and art is essential for job seekers and students alike. GIENC will be building several state-of-the-art labs in our communities where participants will explore and learn through hands-on activities like 3d printing, robotics, art, music, and more.
Job seekers can face significant challenges navigating and accessing digital employment resources. We will be building Technology Access Locations for individuals to search for and apply for jobs. These will consist of computer terminals and stations for virtual interviews.
