WAMY Community Action Suspends Key Services Following Federal Funding Lapse

BOONE, NC, October 27, 2025 — WAMY Community Action has been directed to immediately suspend all activities funded by the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) following a lapse in federal funding. The Stop-Work order was issued by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO), leaving WAMY unable to provide critical support to low-income individuals and families. The CSBG provides funding for three of WAMY’s programs-Family Development, Bridges and Volunteer Services.

The suspension is a direct result of Congress's failure to pass a federal Appropriations Act or a continuing resolution for the federal fiscal year that began on October 1, 2025. Consequently, federal funds that support CSBG programs nationwide are currently unavailable. WAMY Community Action is now prohibited from spending, purchasing, or committing any additional CSBG funds until further notice.

This halt in funding disproportionately affects some of the most vulnerable members of the community, who rely on WAMY Community Action as a safety net. The suspension comes as these same families are facing cuts to SNAP benefits heading into the holiday season. The organization emphasizes that this directive is not related to WAMY’s performance or compliance but is a consequence of the federal budget impasse.

“In my 15 years of service to WAMY Community Action in various roles, this is the first time I can recall our organization ever receiving a Stop-Work Order from NC Department of Health and Human Services.” said Brittany Luxton, Executive Director. “The timing is devastating for the families we serve.”

The financial impact on the organization is also significant. Due to the sudden stop-work order, WAMY Community Action is facing a reimbursement loss of $62,000 for funds that have already been spent to deliver services.

Donations are currently requested to help with this tremendous funding loss. Help us continue our mission and provide a lifeline to our neighbors in need. Please give generously to ensure no one is left behind.

WAMY remains committed to its mission and will continue to seek solutions to support its clients during this challenging period. The organization will provide updates as new information becomes available from state and federal officials. “WAMY Community Action has served the High Country for more than 60 years and we will be here for the next 60; while we may look a little different for a while, our doors remain open and we will continue to help others,” said Luxton.

About W.A.M.Y. Community Action

Established in 1964, W.A.M.Y. (Watauga, Avery, Mitchell, Yancey) is a Community Action Agency and was the first human-service non-profit to come to the High Country’s four-county area. WAMY’s mission is to partner with families and communities to provide the disadvantaged with the support they need to become self-sufficient. WAMY conducts a community needs assessment every three years and programs are designed according to the needs of the community. Currently, WAMY’s programs are- Housing & Energy, Youth Development, Food & Nutrition, Bridges Financial Assistance, Volunteer Services, and Family Development. Even though WAMY Community Action receives federal and state funding, it still requires donations from individual private donors as these contributions offer greater flexibility to meet growing needs in our communities.

To learn more or donate visit wamycommunityaction.org. 

About Community Action Agencies

A Community Action Agency (CAA) is a local organization with the mission of reducing poverty through locally designed and delivered programs and services, targeted to the specific needs of the community. CAAs exist in virtually every county in the U.S., numbering more than 1,000 nationwide. Most are private nonprofits, but some are units of local government. They are state-designated but locally controlled, governed by a tripartite board that represents the low-income community, local elected officials, and private and public community stakeholders. To learn more about CCA, visit: https://communityactionpartnership.com