Category: Chew On This

Voices from the pantry lines At the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, we see the impact of these programs every day across central and western Virginia. And we hear the lived realities of our neighbors who turn to us when federal nutrition programs fall short. For Tabitha, a stay-at-home mom of four—three with disabilities—SNAP once … Continued

Guests tell their stories We often hear powerful testimonies from individuals who share their reasons for turning to food pantries and the profound impact this support has on their lives. Their first-hand accounts underscore the immense importance of our collective efforts. Our guests often tell us that they don’t have the means to buy the … Continued

Partner Impact & Innovation Grants Under Michael’s leadership, the Food Bank prioritized building the capacity of its partner network. In 2017, he championed the launch of Food Bank donor-funded Partner Impact & Innovation (PII) Grants (an initiative originally called the Agency Capacity Fund). This initiative is designed to provide critical support to partner agencies—food pantries, … Continued

A lot more produce Michael’s vision to provide more healthy and nutritious food for guests started with a push that makes a lot of sense if your goal is to improve the health of the people you are serving: to distribute more fresh produce. A lot more. “Fifteen years ago, when Michael hired me, we … Continued

Reaching rural neighbors: Produce boxes In the Western Region (Verona) distribution center, volunteers pack produce boxes. Previously, the Food Bank purchased pre-packed produce boxes from an external supplier for guests at our Mobile Food Pantries. These mobile distributions are a lifeline for individuals and families across our service area who have limited access to grocery … Continued

What Is SNAP? The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP, is the most effective anti-hunger program in the United States, serving more than 40 million Americans each month. The program is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture. The program used to be known as food stamps. SNAP makes a difference in … Continued

School Breakfast Program Take the federal School Breakfast Program as a prime example. It was the Black Panther Party who, in the late 1960s, recognized the devastating impact of child hunger on Black communities. Ericka Huggins, a former leader of the Black Panther Party, played a key role in implementing the Free Breakfast for Children … Continued

Here’s what you can do As the holidays approach, there are many ways you can make a difference for families living with food insecurity. Here are three ideas: “Not so long ago, we had to sell our couch to get money for groceries. And when that money ran out, we sold the kitchen table as … Continued

Food banking is always evolving As CEO of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, I can attest that our organization has evolved dramatically over the past few decades, especially the past 10 years. What began as a humble effort to provide emergency food assistance 43 years ago, has grown into a much larger organization, and … Continued