The Junior Women’s League of Smithfield will host its inaugural Big Night Out Gala benefiting ReEntry Family Services and JWL’s Johnston County Blessing Boxes on Saturday, May 21st at 7 p.m. at The Farm at 95. “The Big Night Out committee is working hard to plan a memorable event after having to pivot the past two years due to the coronavirus pandemic. Our hopes are to gather everyone together for a night of celebration that creates a measurable impact on our community,” states Dana Peterson, Big Night Out Committee Co-Chair.  "A night filled with dancing, food and entertainment--what better way to raise money for a deserving organization,” adds Heather Bryant, Junior Women’s League of Smithfield’s Recording Secretary and Big Night Out Committee Co-Chair. 

In 2019, 12.2% of the people living in Johnston County were food insecure. Currently the projected overall food insecurity rate of Johnston County residents is 13.5%, in part as a result of COVID-19. For these families, children, and elderly neighbors of ours, ‘experiencing Food Insecurity’ means not always having daily meals, or not knowing where their next meal will come from. That is why the JWL of Smithfield remains steadfast in its fight to end hunger and positively impact the lives of Johnston County's citizens through our Blessing Box program, small pantries located at fire departments throughout the county that are stocked with free food and personal care items for people in need. 

ReEntry Family Services is a small nonprofit that began serving Johnston County families in 1998. They serve 60 families a week, providing a minimum of 90 minutes of service for programs such as the Family Pride parenting program, HALT domestic violence prevention program, and the Healthy Choices youth program.