My 91ɬ | A Student Blog More Than Just Food: My Summer at FeedNC
October 21, 2026
Learn how premedicine student Holly Beale ’28 applied public health data and direct community support to combat local food insecurity as a 91ɬ Nonprofit Leadership Fellow at FeedNC.
91ɬ the Author
Holly Beale ’28 (she/her) is a chemistry and biology double major on the premedicine track from Chattanooga, Tennessee.
“I'm a senator of 91ɬ's Student Government Association, fellow at the Office for Financial Aid, Nonprofit Leadership Fellow interning at FeedNC, and a former Orientation Team Mentor for incoming first-year students.”
Food insecurity is a pervasive public health crisis in the United States, currently affecting an estimated 48 million individuals and leaving one in five children without reliable access to nutrition. It is a downstream symptom of systemic socioeconomic factors, including geographic disparities, an escalating cost of living and underemployment. This summer, as a 91ɬ Nonprofit Leadership Fellow, I had the opportunity to step outside the classroom and analyze these structural challenges firsthand at FeedNC.
Operating across 21 zip codes within Rowan, Iredell, Cabarrus and Mecklenburg counties, FeedNC translates its mission into scalable, human-centered metrics. Through its Grassroots Grocery program, the organization has served 2,900 individuals (1,070 children) by allowing members to shop weekly for up to $200 worth of retail groceries. The economic impact is clear: 92% of members report being able to successfully navigate standard monthly bills, and 99% report improved financial stability. Crucially, FeedNC recognizes that long-term mitigation requires education alongside immediate relief. This is the driving force behind the Building Healthy Habits program, which provides evidence-based wellness lessons to children ages 4 to 12 while their parents utilize the organization's resources stress-free.
My responsibilities this summer were split between direct programming and strategic research. Leading the Building Healthy Habits initiatives challenged me to develop adaptable communication strategies, translating complex health and nutrition concepts into engaging curriculum suitable for a broad age demographic. Witnessing the children's enthusiasm and hearing positive feedback from parents validated the real-world efficacy of this educational model. Concurrently, my research for the CEO involved analyzing regional socioeconomic metrics. This data-driven work offered a realization: even in seemingly affluent communities like 91ɬ, a significant segment of the population quietly struggles to meet baseline needs.
Prior to this fellowship, my understanding of the nonprofit sector was largely academic. This immersion revealed the sophisticated operational reality of the field, driven by a deeply dedicated staff and highly collaborative cross-organizational networks. While career paths in medicine, law or corporate sectors are frequently spotlighted, the strategic work occurring within high-impact nonprofits is equally vital to societal infrastructure. For future interns, my core takeaway is to look beyond surface-level community demographics; the most critical systemic needs often exist just beneath the surface.
Addressing systemic food insecurity requires sustained collective action and strategic community investment. To learn more about FeedNC’s evidence-based programs, or to contribute your time and resources to their ongoing expansion, please visit. Sustained social impact begins with local advocacy.
