Everyone Counts

Meet Ursula Greene. For over three decades, the Northside of Wilmington has struggled with limited access to fresh groceries, rendering it a food desert. After retiring from a 23-year job, I dedicated myself to serving the unsheltered population across Wilmington. As I engaged with individuals and outreach providers, I uncovered the challenges they faced, especially during late afternoons and weekends. Motivated by this need, I rallied a group of friends to join me in preparing and distributing meals on weekends. In October 2021, while supporting another organization, I realized there was no facility for the unsheltered to access showers and maintain personal hygiene. Through collaboration with Vigilant Hope, a respected nonprofit, we secured access to their shower trailer twice weekly. However, we faced a new challenge: finding a location to set up the trailer.

Turning to Pastor Donna Marie Calix of Mt. Zion AME Church, I received an enthusiastic 'Yes' to utilize their grounds, made easier by the church's temporary closure due to the pandemic. With Pastor Calix's support, we established a schedule to provide showers, warm meals, and locally sourced produce on Wednesdays and Fridays. Over the years, our efforts have grown, with 4,043 meals and 341 showers provided in 2021-2022, and 5,062 meals and 218 showers in 2022-2023.Every interaction, every meal, every shower—each one counts towards building a stronger, more compassionate community on the Northside of Wilmington.

In 2021 I wanted to bring resources to my community after the conversation with the late Tone McDuffie. We decided to have a Juneteenth Celebration on the Northside of Wilmington. With collaboration from different agencies throughout the community, it came to life. We put together a free event to all aged citizens with community resources, food and fun. We are coming up on our 4th year for our Annual Juneteenth Celebration.

 E1C was founded in 2020 by a dedicated group of women with a grassroots commitment to change, aiming to provide reliable, cost-free resources to marginalized populations in Wilmington, including the unhoused, elderly, and impoverished. They worked together to offer reliable and steadfast support, including free meals, access to Medicare, showers, and essential items like clothing and hygiene products. Their goal was to improve quality of life for their neighbors and foster a sense of dignity and connection for those in need. 

 E1C is dedicated to improving the quality of life for marginalized communities in Wilmington by providing free meals, showers, and essential resources. Our goal is to foster a sense of connection and dignity for individuals facing poverty and homelessness, while promoting inclusivity and support across all backgrounds. Through these efforts, we aim to create stronger, more compassionate bonds that empower individuals and uplift our community as a whole.