Staff Writer, Hunger Matters

Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina•Raleigh, NC

50d•Hybrid

About The Position

Hunger and poverty are deeply rooted in systems that deny opportunity and provide insufficient safety nets for common crises. As the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina’s Staff Writer, you will play a key role in sharing the powerful voices and stories at the center of their mission and vision. This role is ideal for a purpose-driven communicator who thrives on collaboration, storytelling, and connecting people to meaningful impact. As a key member of the External Communications Team, the Staff Writer will identify and develop compelling, people-centered stories in digital and print, with a primary focus on the Food Bank’s Hunger Matters publications and broader newsroom. Your mission-driven journalism will elevate the voices of neighbors, farmers, pantry leaders, and supporters to raise awareness and mobilize action in the shared fight to end hunger. The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina works to ensure that nutritious food is accessible to all, serving more than 600 partner agencies across 34 counties. Every story they tell helps neighbors see that hunger is a solvable problem when people work together.

Requirements

Minimum seven (7) years of professional or academic experience in journalism, multimedia storytelling, nonprofit or advocacy communications, public relations, or related field.
Strong storytelling instincts rooted in empathy, community awareness, and an understanding of socio-economic factors that contribute to hunger and poverty.
Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to translate complex information into compelling, accessible content.
Proven ability to convey concepts to different audiences across multiple formats and platforms — often under tight deadlines.
Demonstrated ability to manage projects independently and collaborate across teams, with comfort operating in a diverse, mission-driven environment.
Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships in diverse work and community environments.
Commitment to the Food Bank’s mission, vision, and values — including integrity, dedication, compassion, and teamwork.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and comfort utilizing constituent relationship and digital asset management systems to track contacts and stories.
A valid driver’s license is required, with some expected travel within the service area.
Successful candidates must live within driving distance of (or be willing to relocate to) a Food Bank branch community (Durham, Greenville, New Bern, Raleigh, Southern Pines, or Wilmington).

Nice To Haves

Lived experience of food insecurity and / or the systemic inequities that drive hunger and poverty in our communities.
Advanced study or certification in the journalism or communications space (ex: Knight Center, Poynter Institute, Society of Professional Journalism, Google News Initiative, etc.).
Awareness of current events and news in anti-hunger efforts, federal food assistance programs (SNAP, WIC, etc.) or general social / human service initiatives.
Written and oral proficiency in Spanish or other languages commonly spoken by people facing food insecurity in our region: Arabic, Cantonese, French, Mandarin, or Vietnamese.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to identify story opportunities that elevate the drivers of hunger and real-world solutions to insecurity.
Develop engaging, emotionally resonant articles and profiles that spotlight neighbors lived experiences in the wake of reduced federal support and the rising cost of living.
Interview farmers, volunteers, donors, and community partners to showcase the combined efforts that bring food from the field to families’ tables.
Proof and edit content to ensure accuracy, clarity, and alignment with the Food Bank’s brand standards, voice, and community-centered approach.
Maintain an editorial calendar that reflects the Food Bank’s strategic priorities, community campaigns, and seasonal initiatives such as Stop Summer Hunger, Holiday Meals, and Hunger Action Month.
Support press release drafting, media advisories, and storytelling for earned media opportunities.
Collaborate with leadership and communications partners to craft talking points, blogs, and community-facing materials that reflect the Food Bank’s values and initiatives.
Assist with web content updates and ensure all communications reflect the organization’s mission, diversity, and equity priorities.
Engage colleagues and vendors to help illustrate stories across mediums and platforms — including print, photography, digital, and short- and long-form video.
Collaborate with leadership and communications partners to craft talking points, news articles, program features, and other community-facing materials that reflect the Food Bank’s values and initiatives.
Assist with web and social content updates to ensure alignment with Food Bank strategic priorities and storytellers’ authentic voice and tone.
Draw on engagement metrics and analytics to refine content strategies and increase the reach and impact of stories and highlights.
Partner with internal departments, including Volunteer Engagement, Programs, and Development, to ensure consistent messaging and alignment with strategic goals.
Build relationships with community and industry partners, local agency representatives, and neighbor groups to highlight their contributions to the collective fight against hunger.
Participate in regular editorial meetings and brainstorming sessions, bringing creativity, curiosity, and a solutions-oriented mindset.
Maintain a structured archive of leads and stories (the Food Bank uses EveryAction and Canto), ensuring simple organization and accessibility.