Staff Writer, Hunger Matters
1 day ago
Raleigh
Job DescriptionSalary: $62,000-$74,000 Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina This is a hybrid position based at any of our branch locations Durham, Greenville, New Bern, Raleigh, Southern Pines, or Wilmington. Successful candidates must live within driving distance of (or be willing to relocate to) a Food Bank branch community. 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 offood insecurity and as the Food Bankof Central & Eastern North CarolinasStaff Writer, you will play a key role insharing the powerfulvoices andstoriesat the center ofour 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 theExternal Communications Teamsupportingdepartments across theorganization, including our Development team, the Staff Writer willidentifyand developcompelling,people-centeredstoriesindigital and print with a primary focus on the Food BanksHunger Matterspublicationsandourbroadernewsroom.Yourmission-drivenjournalismwillelevate thevoicesof neighbors, farmers, pantry leaders, and supportersto raise awarenessand mobilize action in our shared fight to end hunger. Key Responsibilities People-centeredStorytelling and Content Strategy • Collaborate with internal teams and external partners toidentifystoryopportunitiesthatelevatethedrivers of hunger and real-world solutions to insecurity., • Develop engaging,emotionally resonantarticles and profiles that spotlightneighborslived experiencesin thewake ofreduced federal support andthe rising cost of living., • Interviewfarmers,volunteers, donors, and communitypartnerstoshowcasethecombinedefforts thatbringfoodfromthefieldtofamilies tables., • Proofandeditcontent to ensure accuracy, clarity, and alignment with the Food Banksbrandstandards,voice, andcommunity-centered approach., • Maintainan editorial calendar that reflects the Food Banks strategic priorities, community campaigns, and seasonal initiatives such as Stop Summer Hunger, Holiday Meals,andHunger Action Month. Media Relations and Public Awareness • 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 Banks values and initiatives., • Assistwith web content updates and ensure all communications reflect the organizations mission, diversity, and equity priorities. Public Awareness&DirectEngagement • Engagecolleagues and vendors tohelpillustrate stories across mediums and platformsincluding print, photography, digital, and short- and long-form video., • Collaborate with leadership and communications partners to craft talking points, news articles,program features, and othercommunity-facing materials that reflect the Food Banks values and initiatives., • Assistwith weband socialcontentupdatestoensurealignment withFood Bank strategic priorities andstorytellersauthenticvoiceand tone., • Draw on engagement metrics and analytics to refinecontentstrategies 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 communityand industrypartners,localagency representatives, and neighbor groupsto highlight their contributions to the collective fight against hunger., • Participate inregular editorialmeetings and brainstorming sessions, bringing creativity, curiosity, and a solutions-oriented mindset., • Maintain a structured archive of leads and stories (the Food Bank usesEveryActionand Canto), ensuring simple organization and accessibility. Qualifications We'reeager to meet people that believe in our mission and can contributeina variety of ways not just candidates whocheckall the boxes. Even if youdon'tfeel you meet every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply! • Minimum seven(7) years of professional or academic experience injournalism,multimedia storytelling,nonprofitor advocacy communications, public relations, or related field. (Note: Bachelors degree in communications, Journalism, Business, or a related field is preferred but not required.), • Strong storytelling instincts rooted in empathy, community awareness, and an understanding ofsocio-economic factors that contribute to hunger andpoverty, • 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 comfortoperatingin adiverse,mission-driven environment, • Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships in diverse workand communityenvironments, • Commitment to the Food Banks mission, vision, and values including integrity,dedication, compassion, and teamwork, • Proficiencywith Microsoft Office Suite and comfortutilizingconstituent relationship and digital asset management systems to track contacts andstories, • A valid drivers license isrequired, with some expected travel within the service area Though notrequired, exceptional candidates may have any of the following skills: • Lived experience of food insecurity and / or the systemic inequities that drive hunger and povertyin our communities, • Advanced study or certification in the journalism or communications space (ex:Knight Center, Poynter Institute, Society of Professional Journalism,Google NewsInitiative,etc.), • Awareness of current events and news in anti-hunger efforts, federal foodassistanceprograms (SNAP, WIC, etc.) or general social / human service initiatives, • Written and oralproficiencyin Spanish or other languages commonly spoken by people facing food insecurity in our region: Arabic, Cantonese, French, Mandarin, or Vietnamese About the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina 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 we tell, from a family receiving fresh produce to a volunteer packing a box, helps our neighbors see that hunger is a solvable problem when we work together. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not regard race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, marital status, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation or any protected class characteristic when seeking to hire. This practice, in addition to hiring, applies to our recruiting, training, transfers, promotions, job benefits, pay, dismissal practices, social and recreational activities, and any other term or condition of employment. We care about our employees, our candidates, and our community. As such, please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Benefits for You We help YOU thrive. As a mission-based organization, we believe our team needs great support to help deliver on our work to Nourish People, Build Solutions, and Empower Communities. Our comprehensive benefits package includes: • Medical, Dental and Vision Plans, • Health Spending Accounts + Employer Contributions, • Flexible Spending Accounts, • Paid Time off: including Holidays, Personal, Vacation, and Sick Time, • 403(b) with 5% Match after 90 days, • Paid Parental Leave, • Employee Assistance Program, • 100% Employer paid STD and LTD Insurance, • 100% Employer paid Group Life Insurance, • Voluntary benefits including Accident and Critical Illness, • Business Travel mileage reimbursement