Turning Hunger into Hope

Chef David Scott’s fight to feed the “forgotten” through 86 Hunger Now

By Jen Reed  »  Photos by Longshore Art and Design LLC

Growing up in Youngstown, Ohio, Chef David Scott’s childhood was often marked by uncertainty and scarcity. Raised in a home where the cupboards were often bare, David, the eldest child, quickly learned the art of resourcefulness. He spent time in foster care and, at a young age, took on the responsibility of helping care for his siblings. But out of that struggle came a skill that would shape his life: cooking.

“I didn’t learn to cook because I had a passion for food,” Scott explains. “I learned to cook because we needed to eat. It was a matter of survival.” 

Despite these challenges, his determination only grew. As he grew older, Scott married and started a family of his own, drawing on those early lessons of resilience and adaptability. While providing for his wife and children, he decided to pursue his passion for cooking more formally by attending the Winner Institute of Arts & Sciences in Transfer, Pennsylvania, a culinary school where he honed his craft and deepened his understanding of the culinary arts.

After graduating, Scott began his career in the food service industry, working his way up from the bottom. His work ethic, combined with his love for food, propelled him forward. He advanced through the ranks, eventually becoming an executive chef, running high-end kitchens with skill and confidence. He took pride in his success and the opportunity to create exceptional dining experiences for others.

However, as time went on, Scott realized that something was missing. Despite the accolades and the satisfaction of mastering his craft, he felt unfulfilled. “I was doing well in my career,” he says, “but there was this growing emptiness inside me. I wasn’t making the difference I wanted to in the world. Working in fine dining, while rewarding in many ways, wasn’t where I was meant to be.”

His epiphany came nearly a year ago. “I tell everyone who will listen that I grew up in a home with empty cupboards, and God turned me into a chef,” Scott says. “But my purpose wasn’t to run a high-end restaurant. It was to help people like the ones I grew up with — families who are working hard but still struggling.”

Scott’s true calling wasn’t in the pursuit of culinary fame. Instead, he felt a deep desire to serve the working poor, specifically in the Lower Cape Fear region of North Carolina, where he now resides. 

The seed for his non-profit organization, 86 Hunger Now, was planted last year during the holidays as he was volunteering with Weekend Meals on Wheels. He encountered some 80 families that were struggling to put food on the holiday table. 

86 Hunger Now is aimed at helping the working poor in the Wilmington area. The name reflects the restaurant term “86,” which means something is no longer available — much like the resources often unavailable to those living paycheck to paycheck. 

“I’m not here to serve the people who are completely destitute,” Scott clarifies. “There are already great organizations doing that. I'm focused on helping those people who are barely making it from one payday to the next. The ones constantly facing tough choices: ‘Do I send my kid to summer camp, or do I buy groceries for the week? Do I pay the electric bill, or treat the kids to pizza?’ And let me tell you, they're reaching out to me.”

This “in-between” group, as he calls them, often falls through the cracks. They may not meet the income threshold for food assistance programs, yet they’re just one unexpected bill away from financial disaster. Chef Scott, with his team of volunteers and supporters, is determined to fill that gap.

His nonprofit provides nutritious meals, grocery assistance, and education on cooking healthy meals on a tight budget. “A lot of people don’t know how to make their dollar stretch when it comes to food,” he explains. “That’s where I come in. I teach them how to turn basic, affordable ingredients into something delicious and nutritious.”

The response has been overwhelming. “I’ll tell you what,” he says with a smile, “they’re finding me. The people who need this the most are coming to us because they’ve heard that we care — that we understand what they’re going through.” 

In addition to providing food, Scott and his team have started to build partnerships with local grocery stores, restaurants, and farmers, all of whom are eager to support the cause. These partnerships have allowed 86 Hunger (@86hunger_ilm) to increase its reach and impact, ensuring that more families can be served.

For the chef, the work is deeply personal. “I know what it’s like to wonder where your next meal is coming from,” Scott says. “I’ve been there. That’s why this is so important to me. It’s not just about feeding people; it’s about giving them dignity and hope. No one should have to choose between feeding their family and paying their bills.”

Scott’s journey from a boy growing up in a home with empty cupboards to a successful chef and community leader is a testament to the power of resilience, faith, and purpose. While his early life was marked by struggle, he has turned those challenges into a source of strength, using his culinary skills to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.

As 86 Hunger Now continues to grow, Chef David Scott is committed to ensuring that no one in his community goes without a meal. “This is my calling,” he says. “It’s what I was meant to do all along.”

For more information, or to get involved, visit 86HungerNow.org