WAYNE COUNTY, NC — The United Way of Wayne County filled every seat at the historic Paramount Theatre during its annual “Fill the Theatre” community donation drive held February 16 and 17 — turning 500 seats into a powerful symbol of local generosity.
The two-day event invited businesses, schools, civic groups, churches, and residents to symbolically “reserve” or “buy” a seat by donating food and essential household items. Despite what organizers described as a more challenging season, the community ensured the theatre was completely filled, underscoring Wayne County’s continued commitment to supporting neighbors in need.
United Way extended appreciation to the Paramount Theatre for hosting the drive and to community drop-off partners, including Habitat ReStore and TownePlace Suites.
Among the contributors were UNC Health Wayne, Wayne Country Day School, K-T Extinction, Sentry Insurance, US Cargo Systems, Worrell Contracting, local ECA Clubs, The Grundmeier Family, Communities Supporting Schools of Wayne County, Kriquette’s Kidz, Brogden Middle School, Wayne School of Technical Arts, and the Gold-Wayne Panhellenic Council, along with numerous local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and residents.
The donations are already delivering measurable results across the county. Nearly 3,000 menstrual products will be assembled into approximately 120 to 150 period kits. Contributions of diapers, formula, baby food, wipes, clothing, toiletries, and other household essentials are expected to support between 30 and 50 babies and provide necessities for roughly 100 individuals.
Food donations will generate more than 2,000 meals, create 18 household food boxes serving 44 individuals, and supply additional distributions reaching about 60 families and more than 20 students through backpack programs. Reentry kits, emergency hotel meals, and stocked blessing boxes further expand the drive’s impact.
In total, 29 volunteers contributed 120 service hours to organize logistics, collect donations, and prepare items for distribution.
Organizers say “Fill the Theatre” reflects United Way’s broader strategy of mobilizing community partnerships to combat food insecurity and meet essential needs across Wayne County. Planning is already underway to expand collaboration and build on this year’s momentum in th
e months ahead.
