The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina recently received $29,000 to combat child hunger in the organization's 34-county service area. The grant will be used to expand the 27 Kids Cafe after-school programs currently in 25 counties. Pitt programs are located at the Boys & Girls Club in Farmville and Straightway Holiness Church in Ayden.

The grant was made possible by Charity Projects Entertainment Fund (CPEF), which was established to raise awareness of poverty across the United States and throughout the world. With this mission, CPEF teamed up with Fox and "American Idol" to present "Idol Gives Back," which aired on Fox in April 2007.

"Idol Gives Back" was a two-night special which raised awareness and funds for organizations that focus on providing resources for young people in extreme poverty in the U.S. and Africa.

The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina received the grant as a result of its membership in America's Second Harvest – The Nation's Food Bank Network. America's Second Harvest was chosen as one of four domestic charities that received funds which were raised through "Idol Gives Back."

America's Second Harvest is the nation's largest hunger-relief organization, providing food and grocery products to more than 25 million Americans each year through a network of more than 200 food banks and 50,000 agencies including soup kitchens, food pantries, emergency shelters and feeding programs for both children and seniors.

The Food Bank's after-school programs are sponsored locally by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.