For most of us, eating is second nature — an action that, if anything, we try to rein in during the holiday season. However, for more and more Charlotteans, a good meal is becoming a luxury.

That’s where Kay Carter comes in. As executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, for the last five years Carter has overseen the distribution of food and grocery items to over 650 nonprofit agencies and churches around North and South Carolina. In 2006-07, the Food Bank, which was established in 1981, distributed over 20 million pounds of food and groceries through 19 counties.

In many ways, Carter is the perfect person to lead the Food Bank. She grew up in nearby York County, where she continues to live, and so she is well acquainted with the region’s inhabitants, impoverished or not. She attended Rock Hill schools and then Winthrop University, before getting her master’s in public administration from the University of South Carolina. And prior to the Food Bank, Carter was the director of the York County Department of Social Services for seven years and a city manager for seven years.

Perhaps most important is her level of compassion, which Carter says is integral to anyone in the business of feeding the hungry. Carter grew up fighting for the underdog, and it’s a personality trait that followed her into adulthood.

These days, not surprisingly, need is up. Carter says that many who are seeking assistance have never needed such help before now. Eighty percent of the Food Bank’s income comes from fundraising; every $1 donated provides 6 pounds of food. “If every person in Charlotte would simply donate one dollar, this would be $700,000 — enough to provide 4.2 million pounds of food for those who are hungry in our region,” Carter explains.

TCW: When you were a child, did you dream of helping others?

Carter: For as long as I can remember, I have had a passion to help people. I was always the child who came to the rescue of kids getting picked on at school. I think my parents instilled in me, very early, the knowledge that not everyone was as fortunate as we were. While we were not rich by a long stretch, we always had food and clothes, and a warm house. One of my most vivid memories as a child is that we always had folks with us at the holidays who were not members of the family. My parents would invite people with no family, and they would be included in our celebration.

TCW: How hard is it to get people to give to Second Harvest during a slow economy?
Carter: We are very fortunate at the Food Bank to have many donors who are dedicated to the cause of ending hunger. They do their best to stick with us in good times and in bad times. The challenge currently is that the need is escalating faster than we can keep pace — we truly need more donations of both food and money to be sure we can help everyone who needs our assistance.

TCW: How are you seeing an increased need?
Carter: The 650 nonprofits that we serve, especially the emergency food pantries, are reporting an increase of 15 to 30 percent in people requesting assistance over the same period last year. We are finding this to be true throughout all 19 counties we serve in North and South Carolina. Many of those seeking help have never had to ask for help before; they were struggling to make ends meet, and now, with escalating food and gas prices, they just cannot make it without our help.

TCW: Describe your favorite fundraiser.
Carter: I love all of our events, but Empty Bowls has a special place in my heart. This event is scheduled for Feb. 27, 2009, at the Marriott Center City. The event features a simple lunch. Each person who attends also takes home a handcrafted pottery bowl (donated by some of the region’s finest potters) to remind them that somewhere, someone has an empty bowl. Such an important message.

TCW: It’s easy to get discouraged by the overwhelming need in this country. What keeps you positive and uplifted?
Carter: If you concentrate all the time on the totality of the problem, I think you begin to get discouraged. It can seem that we will never be able to help everyone who needs our assistance. I always tell the staff to remember this simple quote from Mother Teresa: “If you can’t feed 100 people, feed just one.” This will sound very simplistic, but when I get discouraged about anything or feel like my life is not going exactly as it should be, I try to stop in my tracks and think about how truly lucky I am.

TCW: What is your favorite quote?

Carter: “How far you go in life depends on being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.” — George Washington Carver

TCW: Please tell me about the biggest donation you’ve ever received.
Carter: Every donation we get makes me happy, because we measure our success in how many people we are able to feed, and each donation — no matter the size — helps accomplish this goal. We were recently selected by Bank of America to receive their Neighborhood Builders Grant, which will provide $200,000 to help us feed children. Talk about a great day!

TCW: How has working with Second Harvest impacted the ways you and your family celebrate the holidays?
Carter: Because the holiday season is our busiest time of year at the Food Bank, our staff works a lot of the holidays. Many times, we bring family members with us to volunteer. My family has been very understanding about changing our meal schedules to accommodate our events. I think they are proud of the work we do at Second Harvest. TCW