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The Pamlico Rose Institute is one of several local organizations participating in the distribution of grant funds to support food insecure veterans throughout Eastern North Carolina. 

The grant funds totaling $10,000 are being distributed by the Pamlico Rose Institute in connection with the East Carolina Veteran Coalition across the Northeastern region of North Carolina. 

The grant comes from the Bob Woodruff Foundation, a national organization dedicated to supporting veterans, service members and their families by providing access to resources needed by these individuals. The organization was started by Bob and Lee Woodruff after Bob was injured while reporting for ABC’s World News Tonight in early 2006. 

“PRI is working with fellow ECVC board members and non-profits Disability Advocates & Resource Center in Greenville and Veterans Organic Garden in New Bern to reach Veterans in both urban and rural areas,” said Robert Greene Sands, CEO of the Pamlico Rose Institute. “Food insecurity dramatically affects at-risk populations in our communities, for those who serve our country, and are at risk, the effects can be detrimental to the process of healing from visible and the invisible wounds and trauma from their service.”

According to North Carolina Veteran Statistics, over 48,000 veterans in the state have an annual income that is below the state poverty line and the unemployment rate among N.C. veterans was 4.7% in 2017 compared to 4.2% for nonveterans. 

These funds will be distributed to veterans in need from May to June. The Northeast region of North Carolina covers Beaufort, Pitt, Washington, Martin and other surrounding counties.