Are you a new supporter and interested in learning more about how the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank works and impacts your community? One of our newest colleagues, Leigh Kirchner, is sharing insight into her food banking journey. This is the second post in a series of blogs written by Leigh, in which she [...]
Are you a new supporter and interested in learning more about how the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank works and impacts your community? One of our newest colleagues, Leigh Kirchner, has volunteered to share insight into her journey. This is the first in a series of blog entries from Leigh. She’ll continue to share [...]
Tyler has been bringing his passion for and dedication to our shared mission at the Food Bank for 10 years—first as a grants manager, then as a manager in Partner Engagement and Programs, and now as the director of Partner Engagement. To reintroduce him to our partners, Food Bank staff asked him a few questions. [...]
On September 15, we invited supporters to sit down with Blue Ridge Area Food Bank CEO Michael McKee and Director of Partner Engagement Tyler Herman for an in-depth discussion of the Food Bank’s work over the past half-year. Did you miss the virtual event, or are you looking for a high-level recap? Check out [...]
After footage of mass food distributions with mile-long lines cropped up on national TV, many supporters asked how our network’s been faring over the past few months. Here’s a window into the food-pantry experience as it’s unfolding in the Blue Ridge region. Although the sun rose just a few hours earlier, the town [...]
George Floyd was one of us. We never met him, never even knew of him before May 25. But he was one of us. Like so many others, those of us at the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank are heartbroken for George Floyd’s family and community and for what his brutal death says about [...]
A bustling street corner is the perfect spot to connect with neighbors “coming and going.” Karen, a first-time Food Bank client, knows this better than anyone: She just happens to live on one. “They call me the mayor,” she laughs. The polka-dot bandana around her neck adds an extra splash of spunk to her [...]
In the process of adjusting Food Bank operations during this pandemic, creativity is playing a big role in how we are making vital functions work and sustaining important partnerships. Two examples of the work being done to ensure food for vulnerable seniors illustrate the creativity and commitment of Food Bank staff and partners. [...]
Three new volunteers pause beneath the shelter of the Scottsville Pavilion. Kelly—along with her two sons, Brady and Rudy—are new to this Mobile Food Pantry operation, so they briefly huddle near a cluster of cabbage to take it all in. Although a foggy cold blankets the town, it’s been a morning of movement. The [...]
Dear Friends of the Food Bank, Our hearts go out to those who have already been impacted by COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. I write to share our current focus and short-term plan at the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. Although the impact of this outbreak is changing every day in [...]