Our Impact
Since our founding in 1996, Good Friends of Wilmington has distributed more than $1.6 million in New Hanover County. Currently, grants each year exceed $70,000 to families and individuals in crisis.
We help our community in many ways…
Utility Bills
The mother of three children was out of work due to pregnancy complications and needed assistance with a water bill to prevent disconnection. Good Friends provided money to Cape Fear Public Utility to prevent her water from being turned off.
A single mother with two children was sharing a home with another family. Social services was called to the house after abuse was reported against the other family living in the house. Despite having no involvement in the abuse, everyone was ordered to vacate the premises and no children were allowed to return to the house. The mother and her children were homeless and her only housing option was her family who lived 16 hours away. Her family was eager for her to return home, but she had no money for such a long trip. Good Friends gave her gift cards for gas and groceries which allowed her to make the trip and return to her family for support.
A recipient was insulin dependent and without medications. Good Friends provided money to a drugstore to help pay for her medications.
A family with eight children could not afford to have their broken stove repaired. Good Friends provided the funds to repair the stove.
Summer Camps
A client who is on kidney dialysis three times a week also has heart failure and high blood pressure – along with three children under the age of 12. Good Friends provided money to Brigade Boys & Girls Club for summer camps.
Beds
A maternal aunt is caring for her two nieces without foster care funding. She needed a toddler bed, mattress and comforter. Good Friends provided her with a Walmart gift card to pay for these items.
A mother of two diagnosed with cancer did not have insurance to cover the surgery or finances to cover her monthly bills. Good Friends provided funds to Cape Fear Public Utility to help pay her utility bills.
A husband and wife had been saving money to rent a house for themselves and their daughter. They found a house they could afford and were all set to move in when they discovered that their new landlord was a registered sex offender. Rather than put their daughter in harm’s way, they sent her to stay with friends while they lived out of their car and searched for a new place to live. They finally found a second-hand trailer they could afford, but they needed furnishings for it. Good Friends bought a bed for their daughter and the Board of Directors came together and helped furnish the rest of the house out of their own donations. Words cannot express how thrilled this family was to finally have a safe place to live and to be together again!
Housing Help
A woman caring for her three grandchildren and their 1-year-old cousin needed to move to a larger apartment unit. Good Friends provided the deposit for the larger unit.
A family with three children were living in roach-infested housing and the family needed to move. The family was able to cover the cost of the deposit and Good Friends provided first month’s rent.
A woman whose spouse was the main income provider left her with all of the household debt and her water was cut off. Good Friends provided the funds to have the water turned back on.
These are just a few examples of the many people in our community who need help getting through a rough patch and back on their feet. For every story like the ones above, there are many, many more. We want you to know that every person we help is inspired and encouraged by your caring efforts.