Hunger & Health Coalition, Inc.

09/06/2026

Happy Labor Day Weekend! We will be closed for operations tomorrow, Monday, Sept. 7. We will see you all on Tuesday! ☀

09/04/2026

A quick reminder that HHC will be closing at 12:30 p.m. today as we continue dealing with the heat and building issues following last month’s lightning strike.

Our staff has worked through some pretty tough conditions this week to make sure our neighbors were cared for, and we are incredibly grateful for them. ❤️

We’ll be back and ready to serve our community Tuesday morning.

Have a safe Labor Day weekend!

09/03/2026

We will be closing early tomorrow, Friday 9/4 at 12:30 pm. (In addition to being closed Monday 9/7).

For more than a week, our staff has been working through some pretty challenging conditions to make sure our neighbors continue to receive the food, medications and services they depend on.

Last month, our building was struck by lightning. What followed appears to have set off a series of problems that we are still working to fully understand.

Right now, two of our commercial HVAC units need to be replaced, and we are also dealing with electrical issues throughout the building. With no air conditioning, continued heat and electrical concerns, we have made the decision to close early Friday for the safety and well-being of our staff and our building.

With Labor Day coming Monday, it feels especially appropriate to recognize the people who have continued showing up and doing the work, even under some very uncomfortable circumstances.

And we haven't done it alone.
Our neighbors at Hospitality House Northwest NC helped us keep going with fans (many, many fans!), and our 20+ year partner,
Edmisten Heating & Cooling, has been working alongside us to determine what needs to happen to get us fully operational again. We are incredibly grateful for both.

We are still waiting to hear from our insurance company, and we don't yet know the full ramifications of the lightning strike or the final cost of everything that will need to be repaired.
What we do know is that we cannot wait any longer to begin replacing both HVAC units.
We may need your help.

As soon as we know more, we will share more. For now, thank you for your patience, your support and for continuing to stand with HHC while we work through this.

09/01/2026

We recently received the heartbreaking news of the passing of our beloved board member, Dr. John "Jack" Whitlock.

In the early 2000s, Dr. Whitlock and a group of other local doctors worked toward providing health care for people in the region who did not have health insurance. As a result of this work, the Community Care Clinic was establishedin 2006.

The Clinic remained on a volunteer provider status until 2009, when the need grew, and the Clinic started to bring on paid staff. Dr. Whitlock served as the Medical Director from the Clinic's inception until 2017, all the while also serving as a volunteer provider seeing patients.

He served on the Board of Directors throughout the Clinic's history and through the Integration with the Hunger and Health Coalition last year until his recent passing. In the mid-90s, he had also served on the Hunger and Health Coalition board, including a stint as chair. Dr. Whitlock was instrumental in helping to incorporate the pharmacy into what was known then as the Hunger Coalition.

As Medical Director and Board Member, Dr. Whitlock was able to balance the needs of running a medical clinic and serving the patients who needed services. He always kept top of mind the mission of the organization, providing high-quality healthcare to those without medical insurance.

Dr. Whitlock was generous with his time and resources, ever on the lookout for opportunities to promote the Clinic as well as recruit volunteer providers, outside referral services, and financial donors. As a long-time area MD, Dr. Whitlock had a unique perspective on the local healthcare system. He was well respected by health care executives, providers, and patients alike and could and did call on them to support the most vulnerable in the community.

Dr. Whitlock — or Jack to those who knew him best — wasn't much into the idea of public praise. But we would be remiss if we didn't give him a big thank you for all he did for our organization and the community. His legacy of service will continue to live on in all we do. To share thoughts with the family during this time, visit www.hamptonfuneralnc.com/obituaries/dr-john-whitlock.

08/31/2026

As heard on WATA 1450AM and 96.5 with Mark this morning! 🎙☀️👇

Picture this: next year you're on a cruise, and HHC has the resources to provide food, medication, and healthcare to our community. It's a win-win! Get your $100 raffle ticket, support your neighbors, and enter for a chance to win a cruise through the HHC Adventure Raffle. An exclusive pool of only 1,000 entries.

Learn more here: secure.qgiv.com/event/adventureraffle/ . Sales end Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. — only a month left!

08/27/2026

When else could you go on a cruise for just $100? 🤔🛳

For the cost of a few dinners out, you could enter your name for the chance to win either a European river cruise for two OR an Alaskan cruise for two aboard Royal Caribbean. Both will be professionally planned and booked by Magic Bound Travel.

The raffle is only selling 1,000 tickets; that's less than 2% of the Watauga County population who would be able to enter for this chance of a lifetime! Especially since this opportunity is available to anyone — regardless of where they live — you definitely don't want to miss out.

Proceeds support the Hunger and Health Coalition's mission, providing essential food, medications, and primary care to local families.

Raffle ticket sales end on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 6 p.m. Purchase your ticket at secure.qgiv.com/event/adventureraffle/.

08/25/2026

Nourishing, affordable & delicious: enjoy our series about Dry Bean Recipes! 🫘✨

You can also find the recipe video on the HHC Youtube at www.youtube.com/ and find the recipe card to enjoy at home at hungerandhealthcoalition.org/nutritional-education.

Ingredients included in this recipe:
— 1 cup dry Great Northern beans (or 3 cups cooked)
— 1 large cucumber, diced
— 2 medium tomatoes, diced
— 1 medium bell pepper, diced
— 1/4 cup onion, finely diced

08/22/2026

Where else could you use $100 to supply a month's worth of produce for a family AND enter for a chance to win a cruise? Secure your HHC Adventure Raffle ticket today!

The Grand Prize winner will receive a 7-Night European River Cruise for two where they can sail Europe aboard Viking or AmaWaterways. The Second Prize features a 6-8 night Alaskan Cruise for two aboard Royal Caribbean with a balcony stateroom for two. While Alaska is the featured destination, other Royal Caribbean itineraries are available. Both will be professionally planned and booked by Magic Bound Travel.

The exciting part? You can share this with your friends and family who live near and far! This opportunity is not limited by your location. Tell your friends —and send them a link—so they can grab their tickets and get in on the action, too!

Only 1,000 tickets will be sold. To purchase your ticket and for more trip specifics, visit secure.qgiv.com/event/adventureraffle/. Raffle ticket sales end on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 6 p.m. or if all 1,000 tickets are sold.

08/19/2026

HHC Clinic patient Chelsea credits Clinic Nurse Practitioner Andrea Brubaker and the HHC staff therapist with saving her life.

To go from not wanting to wake up each morning to a thriving business owner in Boone, Chelsea said she just needed clinicians who would listen to and work with her to find a solution best for her to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

“To be seen and to be heard, it feels so good. I think everybody should experience that, just being in your whole truth; you can be the best version of yourself when you're believed,” Chelsea said. “You can also get the tools you need when people believe you and can listen to you.”

Read more about Chelsea's journey on our blog here!

“To be seen and to be heard, it feels so good. I think everybody should experience that...".

08/17/2026

Nonprofits are often providing services where gaps exist, and we can only do so because of a caring community that believes in our mission as much as we do. On this , we wanted to take a moment to share the impact you helped us make this past fiscal year as we see an increase in need for our services.

We believe that a health journey requires a seamless connection between the exam room, the pharmacy, and the food that folks take home. HHC recognizes that people experience life as a whole.

"People don’t experience hunger in one room, illness in another, and financial stress somewhere else," said Executive Director Lindsey Sullivan. "These challenges intersect. They affect one another. They shape a person’s ability to stay healthy, care for their family, share their talents, and participate fully in their community. So our response has to be connected too."

A lot of folks are in uncertain times, but we are proud of how our community continues to rally to ensure fewer people have to face it alone. Every time you volunteer, donate, or share our information with someone, you're helping to fill the gap.

Help us power this next fiscal year of impact by:

— 🎟️ Buying a $100 Adventure Raffle ticket today at secure.qgiv.com/event/adventureraffle.
— 🤝 Signing up for a volunteer shift at www.hungerandhealthcoalition.org/volunteering
— 📲 Sharing this post to let people know what all we're doing!