CHARITABLE PARTNERS

Proceeds from Charlotte Wine + Food events benefit strategically selected charity partners that support children and their families in the Charlotte community. The charity beneficiaries for the 2025 - 2026 fiscal are: New Charity Partner to be announced in Fall of 2025, Beds for Kids, Digi-Bridge, and Wayfinders.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR CHARITABLE MISSION BELOW!

New Charity Partner to be announced in Fall of 2025.

Beds for Kids provides beds and essential furniture to children and their families in need. They come alongside families rising out of poverty towards self-sufficiency and supply furniture resources. Some are transitioning out of homelessness, leaving domestic abuse situations, trying to secure stable employment, or signing their first lease. Beds for Kids believes every child should have a bed of their own, and they strive to serve each family with dignity. In 2024, Beds for Kids served 1,406 Charlotte families with beds and furniture to help turn their houses into homes.

Digi-Bridge inspires the next generation of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) leaders. STEAM jobs are projected to increase by 10.8% (4x faster than non STEAM jobs) and Digi-Bridge is leading the effort to provide access to skills-training, mentors and workplaces to ensure Charlotte youth are prepared for the future.  This unique organization offers school- and community-based out-of-school-time programs for K-8 students that foster curiosity, exploration, innovation, and persistence in STEAM. Digi-Bridge works with industry professionals to develop high quality and rigorous curriculum in diverse topics such as robotics, cyber security, environmental science, and more. These experiences are taught by credentialed educators who Digi-Bridge trains and compensates to keep them returning to the classroom year after year. Digi-Bridge students boast higher confidence and skills in STEAM post involvement in the programs.

Wayfinders’ MISSION is to ignite students’ potential by expanding their confidence, connections, and horizons. Their unique model combines guidance from an adult mentor with attendance at confidence-building summer camps, participation in year-round enrichment programming, and a focus on college and career readiness for self-motivated, underserved students. Their VISION is that every child, regardless of zip code, has access to these transformative life experiences.

The Wayfinders program provides services to low-income students starting in 4th grade through high school graduation at no cost to their families. Initially, scholars spend three summers at nature camps where they try activities like kayaking, horseback riding, and rock climbing that build confidence and help them develop new skills. Once in middle and high school, scholars shift to academic camps on college campuses and are provided leadership development, career exploration, and job-shadowing opportunities that help them transition from middle school to high school to college and career. Throughout the school year, scholars participate in enrichment programs such as outdoor recreation, arts and cultural experiences, technology workshops, financial planning education, employer visits, and community service. Each scholar is supported by a dedicated adult mentor who helps prepare them for camp and guides them from 4th grade to high school graduation and beyond. The Wayfinders program helps students from low-income families expand their social networks, increasing their likelihood for economic mobility. But more than that, being a part of Wayfinders creates a sense of belonging and worth that helps scholars reach their full potential and thrive.