"Feed the Children" Community Event

Published on September 05, 2025

In a powerful display of community collaboration, Feed the Children, Smithfield Foods, United Way of Sampson County, and Clinton City Schools joined forces today to distribute over $150,000 worth of food, personal care items, school supplies, and protein products to families facing food insecurity at the Sampson Middle Schools parking lot on September 4, 2025.

Children need access to nourishing food to grow and thrive. Yet many children in the U.S. lack consistent access to enough food for a healthy lifestyle. “Feed the Children” organization provided direct support to 400 families. Each household received a box of shelf-stable food, a box of essential household and personal care items, and a backpack filled with school supplies for children. Smithfield Foods also contributed a generous box of meat products, including ham and bacon.

Local leaders, including Lew Starling, Mayor of Clinton, Marcus Becton, Mayor Pro Tem, Dr. Wesley Johnson, Clinton City Schools Superintendent, Dr. Linda Jewell Carr, United Way of Sampson County, and Thaddeus Godwin, Sampson County Board of Commissioners, spoke passionately at the event about the critical importance of ensuring children have access to nutritious meals. Their message was clear: no child should go to bed hungry.

“This is what community looks like.” said Commissioner Thaddeus Godwin, “When organizations unite around a shared mission, we can truly make a difference in the lives of our neighbors. We want our children to go to bed with full stomachs.”

Special recognition was given to Feed the Children, whose partnership has been instrumental in organizing these Resource Rallies across the country. They are committed to tackling childhood hunger through direct action and local engagement.

As families left with boxes in hand and smiles on their faces, the event served as a reminder that collective effort can bring hope and nourishment to those who need it most.

Commissioner Godwin gave a short speech at the event.

Commissioner Godwin delivers boxes at the event.

County Manager Allen Vann delivers boxes at the event.

Dan Stephens, Feed the Children Organization Account Strategy & Corporate Partnerships Director– East Region

Group picture of community partnership.