Staff Writer, Hunger Matters

Job Description

• Department: Communications
• Employment Type: Full-Time; hybrid position based in Durham, Greenville, New Bern, Raleigh, Southern Lines, or Wilmington, NC
• Compensation: $62,000-74,000

Overview 

Hunger and poverty are not primarily the result of personal choices or circumstances; they are deeply rooted in systems that deny opportunity and provide insufficient safety nets for common crises such as illness or loss of income.  This is the true story of food insecurity — and 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 our 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 supporting departments across the organization, including our Development 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 our broader newsroom. Your mission-driven journalism will elevate the voices of neighbors, farmers, pantry leaders, and supporters to raise awareness and mobilize action in our shared fight to end hunger. 

Key Responsibilities 

People-centered Storytelling & Content Strategy 

• 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. 

Public Awareness & Direct Engagement 

• 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. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration 

• 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. 

About the Food Bank 

The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina works to ensure that nutritious food is accessible to all, serving more than 700 local partner organizations across 34 counties. Every story we tell, from a family receiving fresh produce to a volunteer packing a box, helps our neighbors see that no one is alone in their experience — and that hunger is a solvable problem when we work together. 

Job Requirements

Qualifications 

We're eager to meet people that believe in our mission and can contribute in a variety of ways — not just candidates who check all the boxes. Even if you don't feel you meet every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply! 

• Minimum five (5) years of professional experience in journalism, multimedia storytelling, nonprofit or advocacy communications, public relations, or related field  

• Note: additional education or training may be substituted for work experience 

• 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 

Though not required, exceptional candidates may have any of the following skills: 

• 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 

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