In March, organizers announced auditions for last weekend’s East Carolina Star Search. Little did they know how successful it was going to be, as the star-studded competition raised money for the local nonprofit, Eagle’s Wings.

Eagle’s Wings raised $13,000 for the food pantry, which included a $100 entry fee for competitors and a silent auction, according to Ann-Marie Montague, Eagle’s Wings executive director.

“We considered this a success, a big success,” Montague said. “We could not have done this without community support, our volunteers, board members and staff working the night of East Carolina Star Search.”

Montague began her duties as executive director May 1 and said it was whirlwind to come into the middle of East Carolina Star Search.

“For me, it was a learning experience for that type of a fundraiser because I have never done one quite like that,” Montague said. “It was a wonderful experience and I got to meet a lot of great people and see a lot of people dedicated to our mission.”

Over the last 25 years, the Washington-based nonprofit has had many fundraisers in the community.

“The one reason Eagle’s Wings is able to fulfill its mission is from strong community support,” Montague said. “It speaks very highly of our citizens of Beaufort County. They are truly committed to helping their neighbors.”

In 2008, one of the biggest fundraisers Eagle’s Wings conjured up was Dancing With Our Stars. The competition featured dancers and dance teams that helped raise funds for the nonprofit.

Currently, Eagle’s Wings is doing its annual appeal: a letter sent out requesting donations. They are also in the planning stages of their fall fundraiser, but won’t announce it yet, Montague said.

Eagle’s Wings opened its doors in 1989. It is the largest food pantry in the county, according to the website, and serves the 19 percent of county residents that live in poverty.

“We feeds thousands of households every year,” Montague said. “One out of four children in the United States goes to bed hungry. It’s one out of five children in Beaufort County that go to bed hungry.”