A Legacy That Continues
- Second Harvest
- 7 hours ago
- 4 min read
How one couple is ensuring their commitment to community continues for generations.
Kent and Liz Price (pictured above) have spent a lifetime showing up for their community. Today, they are ensuring that commitment continues—long after they are gone.
Throughout their lives, Kent and Liz have supported causes they care about. Since 2012, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina and Catholic Charities of Winston-Salem have benefited from their contributions of time, talent, and resources. As part of that commitment, the couple has also chosen to include Second Harvest in their estate plans.
“Second Harvest is a vital partner in supporting neighbors across our community,” Liz says. “Kent and I feel strongly about including Second Harvest in our trust so that—both now and in the future—we can continue to be part of that work.”
A Place They Love to Call Home
The Prices first arrived in the Triad in 1999 when Kent began work in human resources at American Express. “We loved North Carolina from the first day,” Kent says. “We loved the weather, the four seasons and the people. And one of Liz’s sisters had moved to Charlotte, so we had family nearby,” he adds. Kent was later reassigned to American Express headquarters in New York City. “Liz and I knew we wanted to get back here, but there was no opportunity with American Express at the time to move back down,” he says.
United Guaranty Corporation offered him a position as vice president of human resources, and Kent jumped at the opportunity. “More of Liz’s family had moved to North Carolina, so the family pull was strong,” Kent says. “Liz and I knew this was where we wanted to be for the rest of our lives.”. After returning to the Triad, Kent worked at AIG and the Center for Creative Leadership. He is now self-employed as a leadership coach and human resources consultant.
A Lifetime of Showing Up
Kent’s impact on Second Harvest has included sharing his professional expertise in coaching and leadership development; consulting on the construction of the largest solar energy system in Forsyth County; serving on the Board of Directors and its committees; volunteering in the warehouse; and transporting food to partner organizations like Catholic Charities.
Liz, now retired, has dedicated her time to nonprofits including Second Harvest, Catholic Charities, Samaritan Ministries, and St. Martha’s Ministry. Together, they have built a life rooted in service.
Seeing the Need Up Close
Liz’s volunteer experience shaped how she understands food insecurity.
“I started volunteering at Catholic Charities over a decade ago. Their office opened at 8:00 a.m., and at the time it operated on a first-come, first-served basis,” she explains. “I met a mother and her four daughters who were always first in line. I asked one day what time they arrived. I was shocked when she said 4:00 a.m., just to make sure they could get food. It was a real eye-opener—one I’ll never forget.”
That experience—and others like it—deepened their commitment to ensuring food remains accessible across the region.
Turning Values into Action
For Kent, supporting Second Harvest also means thinking long-term. His work on the organization’s solar energy rooftop project reflects that mindset—investments that reduce operating costs over time and allow more resources to go toward food and community programs.
“Using solar energy allows Second Harvest to spend more on food and on expanding its work,” Kent says. “That’s something that really matters.”
That same mindset extends beyond their work with Second Harvest. Kent and Liz care deeply about conserving natural resources and reducing pollution. When they relocated to North Carolina, they built a sustainable home on 32 acres along the Little Yadkin River, within sight of Pilot Mountain. Their home includes a 54-panel solar array that provides the majority of the energy they use—an investment rooted in long-term thinking and responsible stewardship.
Planning for What Comes Next
The Prices have long believed that giving is not a single moment, but a lifelong practice.
“People often underestimate the role they can play,” Kent says. “Impact isn’t just financial—it’s how you show up over time. And for many of us, planned giving becomes one more way to do that.”
Their decision to make an unrestricted legacy gift reflects a deep trust in Second Harvest’s mission and leadership.
A Legacy That Adapts to What’s Needed
By leaving their gift without restrictions, Kent and Liz are allowing Second Harvest the flexibility to meet the needs of the moment—both today and in the future.
“We know that Second Harvest will use it in the best possible way,” Kent says. “If it goes into the endowment, that’s wonderful. If it needs to be used to support operations, so be it. We trust the organization to make those decisions.”
An Invitation to Others
Kent and Liz have chosen to share their plans publicly in the hope that others will consider doing the same.
“Sometimes people need to know how they can help an organization they care about,” Kent says. “We’re trying to inspire others by being more open about how we plan to give.”
By sharing their story, they offer a simple idea: that each of us has the ability to create lasting impact—and that, with thoughtful planning, our commitment to community can continue for generations.
