News & Events

July 2026 Food for Thought Newsletter

Jul 6, 2026

July 2026 Food for Thought Newsletter

Episode #40: Charlie Jones – Where Jones County Came From

Jul 2, 2026

Charlie Jones traces Jones County’s colonial roots, German settler history, and Wiley Jones’s role in the Bill of Rights on The Filling Station podcast.

Episode #39 – Donna Higgins: From Student to Principal

Jun 25, 2026

Principal Donna Higgins went from Trenton Elementary student to its leader. Hear her story of mentorship, the Leader in Me program, and why Jones County’s kids are everything.

Back to School Bash

Jun 23, 2026

Back to School Bash This Year’s Back to School Bash for Jones County School kids will be on Sat, Aug. 8th 10am-1pm! At the Jones County Civic Center. In Partnership with The Filling Station for backpack donations and healthy food donations, along with Jones County Public Schools greeting the students and handing out school supplies with a host of additional vendors like The Girl Scouts in Carteret, Craven, Jones & Pamlico Counties and Jones County DSSCommunity Closet. Community Partners are welcome to complete the Vendor App to attend (all vendors must be approved by our event committee, please read the […]

Episode #38 Bridging Food & Meds – Finding Balance Part 2

Jun 18, 2026

Marcy Hoffman of The Filling Station shares simple ways to build emotional balance, manage screen time, and protect rest in this most recent podcast. Part 2 on balance.

Episode #37: Bridging Food & Meds – Finding Balance From the Inside Out

Jun 11, 2026

Mary Ann LeRay and Marcy explore balance as a whole-body practice, covering stress, movement, blood sugar, hormones, and sleep in the Bridging Foods and Meds series.

Episode #36: Sheron Bender – Feeding People First

Jun 4, 2026

Sheron Bender, Filling Station vice chair and retired school counselor, shares how Hurricane Florence, 33 years with hungry kids, and one bold question shaped her mission to feed Jones County.

Jones County Commissioners Approve Cost Share Agreement

Jun 2, 2026

Jones County commissioners recently approved a cost-share agreement between Jones County and The Filling Station to bring a dedicated family and consumer sciences agent to N.C. Cooperative Extension’s Jones County Center. Previously shared with Onslow County, Sarah Ware will now serve Jones County exclusively, with The Filling Station and Jones County each covering 33% of the salary and N.C. State University covering the remaining 34%. It is a meaningful partnership, and one that reflects exactly the kind of community-rooted collaboration The Filling Station was built on. Part of what makes Sarah’s work possible is knowing where the need is greatest. […]

Episode #35: Mandy Gillis – A Principal Led by Purpose

May 21, 2026

Mandy Gillis didn’t just find her way to Maysville Elementary. By her own account, she was led there. After 26 years in education, including a difficult final year in Onslow County during Hurricane Florence that took a real toll on her health, Mandy stepped back and trusted that the right path would open. It did, in the most unexpected way, during a conversation at Vacation Bible School. She updated her application materials on the spot, and the rest, as they say, is history. Seven years later, she is the current Jones County Principal of the Year and describes every day […]