United Way of Coastal Carolina Announces, “Fill the Theatre” Community Food Drive

NEW BERN, N.C. — United Way of Coastal Carolina (UWCC), in partnership with Moen and the New Bern Civic Theatre, is inviting the community to help fill the nearly 300 theatre seats with food and essential items during its inaugural Fill the Theatre Community Food
Drive, November 9 and 10, 2026.

The two-day event will bring together individuals, families, businesses and community organizations with one simple goal: fill the theatre with donations that will help local organizations meet basic needs in the communities they serve.

Community members are encouraged to donate nonperishable food, personal hygiene products and toiletry items during the following drop-off hours:

Monday, November 9 | 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 10 | 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
New Bern Civic Theatre, 414 Pollock St., New Bern, NC 28560

“We wanted to create something that makes it easy for anyone in our community to be part of helping their neighbors,” said Savannah Lambert, Executive Director of United Way of Coastal Carolina. “Our goal is to see every one of those theatre seats filled, but more importantly, we want the items collected to get directly into the hands of local organizations that are helping people every day.”

At the conclusion of the drive, donated items will be distributed to local nonprofit and community organizations serving individuals and families throughout United Way of Coastal Carolina’s service area. Those organizations will be announced closer to the event.

Moen is proudly supporting Fill the Theatre as a Presenting Sponsor, helping UWCC bring the community together around the collection of food and essential items. New Bern Civic Theatre is also serving as a Presenting Sponsor through the generous donation of the theatre space.

In addition to donations brought directly to the theatre during the event, UWCC is currently seeking local businesses and organizations to serve as community collection sites from October 26 through November 6. United Way will provide participating locations with collection boxes and event signage, and participating businesses will be recognized on UWCC’s website and social media. Businesses and organizations interested in serving as a collection site are encouraged to contact United Way of Coastal Carolina to sign up.

Community members who would prefer to make a monetary contribution will also have the opportunity to support Fill the Theatre through United Way of Coastal Carolina. Monetary donations will help support the event and UWCC’s work connecting resources with needs
throughout the community.

Additional information, including participating collection sites, volunteer opportunities and event updates, will be available at unitedwaycoastalnc.org/fill-the-theatre and through United Way of Coastal Carolina’s social media channels.

About United Way of Coastal Carolina:
United Way of Coastal Carolina serves Craven, Carteret, Jones and Pamlico counties by bringing people,
organizations and resources together to address community needs and strengthen Eastern North Carolina
communities.