VERONA, Va. (WHSV) – The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, in partnership with letter carriers across the Valley and Central Blue Ridge, collected thousands of pounds of non-perishable food from the community to help families in need put food on the table.
Jen Rafter, volunteer and food drive manager for BRAFB, said food drives like Stamp Out Hunger help alleviate a rising issue: the price of groceries.
“Food drives are incredibly important to ensure we are getting food on our guests’ tables, especially as we see a rise in cost of living,” Rafter said. “This food is a great way to help them stretch their budget.”
The food bank said it is currently seeing the highest demand in its history. In a month alone, Rafter said nearly 200,000 guests receive donated food to help families cook nutritious meals.
“The food bank is currently seeing the highest demand it’s ever seen,” Rafter said. “Every pound of food that comes in from this food drive is important.”
The total amount collected from the food drive was:
Charlottesville: 7,647 poundsLynchburg: 30,599 poundsHarrisonburg: 8,470 poundsStaunton: 13,668 poundsWaynesboro: 13,903 poundsWinchester: 38,561 poundsAdditional sources: 7,844 pounds
According to the food bank, a lack of food or access to quality nutrition can affect people’s performance at work and school. Organizers said drives like this help families get what they need so they don’t have to go to bed, work or school hungry.
“Access to nutritious food is really the foundation for us; it’s incredibly important,” Rafter said.
She also said seeing neighbors step up is the most rewarding part of the job.
“Everyone really stepped up and met the moment,” Jen Rafter said. “The food bank depends on community support to continue serving families across the region.”
Though the food bank had record turnout for Stamp Out Hunger, Rafter said donations are always welcome because hunger doesn’t disappear on its own.
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