Mary Ann LeRay

Pasta Class -registration required

Stretch It, Save It, Store It: Making the Most of Your Food Dollar! The first class in this series is the Handmade Pasta Class! Learn how to make fresh pasta from simple pantry ingredients in this hands on class that blends flavor, savings, and skill. Participants will mix, roll, and shape dough while learning safe drying and storage techniques to make meals that last. Class fee is $10 (exact cash or check only!) Register here: go.ncsu.edu/stretchsavestore Jones: December 12th from 10am – 1pm Address: The Filling Station, 221 Main Street, Pollocksville, NC 28573

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The Filling Station Celebrates Historic Ribbon Cutting for New Warehouse Facility 

POLLOCKSVILLE, NC – The Filling Station marked a historic milestone on September 8, 2025, with its first-ever ribbon-cutting ceremony, celebrating the completion of a new food warehouse building that will expand the organization’s capacity to serve Jones County residents through enhanced nutrition, education, and connection programs. The $310,000 facility represents the culmination of a four-year planning and development process, made possible through funding from the Golden Leaf Foundation ($227,720 grant), Harold H. Bate Foundation, Jones County Committee of 100, and Filling Station church partners. The ceremony coincided with The Filling Station’s eighth anniversary, which was celebrated on August 28. “This

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Welcome to The Filling Station Podcast – where inspiring stories meet practical insights for rural community transformation. Rooted in Psalm 107:5, our podcast shares how a vacant propane building became a beacon of hope serving 9,000+ households annually through Nutrition, Education, and Connection programs in Jones County, North Carolina. Join Executive Director Mary Ann LeRay and community leaders exploring: Real stories from families and volunteers Strategic insights for nonprofit leaders Cross-sector partnership models Faith-based community organizing Crisis response and community resilience Perfect for community members, nonprofit professionals, faith leaders, and rural development advocates seeking both heartfelt stories and actionable strategies.

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Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards 2025

Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards 2025 took place on May 12th at the North Carolina Capitol in Raleigh, NC. The NC Screening Team from the American Red Cross, which has a member from Maysville, NC, in Jones County, received a Medallion Award. Rachel Hunt, Lieutenant Governor, shared remarks with the award recipients. Mary Ann LeRay, a commissioner on the Commission for Community Service and Volunteerism, was at the event to greet and extend congratulations on behalf of Jones County. Dr. Joe Blosser serves as the chair of the commission, and Briles Johnson is the executive director.

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Filling Station Podcast Guest Series Episode #4, April 3, 2025 – Todd Burrier, LifePlus

The interview features Mary Ann LeRay speaking with Todd Burrier from LifePlus. They discuss the origins and impact of LifePlus, particularly its philanthropic efforts through the LifePlus Foundation in supporting community initiatives like The Filling Station. The conversation covers the company’s history, its focus on holistic wellness, and the high standards of its nutritional products. Todd shares how he got involved with LifePlus and the company’s expansion into Europe.

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Filling Station Podcast Guest Series Episode #3, April 8, 2025 – New Program for Jones County

What happens when dedication meets creativity in rural community service? Find out in our latest interview with Jennifer King, Deputy Director of Administration for Jones County. With 21 years of experience in local government, Jennifer shares how a “whatever it takes” attitude is transforming how we serve our community. From innovative collaborations between county government and The Filling Station, to exciting new initiatives like the Community Closet project, Jennifer offers unique insights into building stronger rural communities. Her passion for Jones County and commitment to creative problem-solving shine through in this engaging conversation.  

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