Guilford County Launches OneGuilford, Mobilizes Support for Food Pantries

Guilford County announced on November 12 a collaborative response to the federal pause in SNAP benefits, launching OneGuilford, Support Our Pantries in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank and local organizations. County officials said the program will assess pantry capacity and service gaps, deploy resources where they are most needed, and support a Fill the Gap campaign that encourages residents to volunteer and donate to Second Harvest, Greater High Point Food Alliance, A Simple Gesture, and the Guilford Nonprofit Consortium. The county release includes links to food assistance resources and information on how to volunteer or give.

The announcement places emergency food providers at the center of the county response. Local pantries typically act as a buffer when federal benefits fall short or are interrupted, and the county is now directing attention and logistical support to boost their capacity. By asking partners to map capacity and identify gaps, the initiative is designed to allocate limited resources more efficiently and to route surplus where demand is highest.

For Guilford County residents who rely on SNAP for groceries, the pause in federal benefits reduces household purchasing power and increases near term food insecurity. The county framework aims to blunt that impact by expanding meal distribution and encouraging private support. For donors and volunteers, the Fill the Gap campaign creates a direct channel to local providers, with the county providing online links to facilitate contributions and sign ups.

The move also has economic and market implications. Increased demand at food banks can strain inventory, raise procurement costs, and increase competition for donated items and volunteer time. Nonprofit budgets may face pressure as organizations purchase more food to meet need rather than relying solely on donated items. These adjustments translate into local budgetary and operational decisions for nonprofits and local government alike.

Longer term, the county initiative is part of a trend in which local governments and community organizations assume more responsibility when federal safety net programs are disrupted. While the OneGuilford effort provides immediate relief, it also underscores the limits of charitable responses as substitutes for policy solutions at the federal level. County officials have chosen to monitor pantry capacity and target resources where gaps are largest, a tactical approach that can inform planning for future disruptions.

Residents seeking help or wanting to volunteer or donate should consult the county press release for links to participating organizations and food assistance resources. The coordinated approach is intended to stabilize access to food in the short term while the community and policymakers consider longer term solutions.