Press Release

Shenandoah Valley Kiwanis Club Launches ‘Coolest Pet in the Shenandoah Valley 2026’ Contest to Support Children Facing Hunger

Staunton, VA — September 7, 2026 — The Shenandoah Valley Kiwanis Club and the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank are teaming up during Hunger Action Month to address a growing concern in the Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County area: food insecurity among school‑aged children. Their solution is both meaningful and fun—a community-wide contest to crown the “Coolest Pet in the Shenandoah Valley” for 2026.

One in 3 of the Food Bank’s guests is a child. Without proper nutrition, children are more likely to face health challenges, developmental delays, and difficulties in school and social settings. This creative fundraiser aims to raise awareness about childhood hunger while generating support for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank’s School Break Box program, which provides easy‑to‑prepare, non‑perishable food for children and families during school holiday breaks when school meals are unavailable.

“A full plate is a bridge to a brighter tomorrow, and that begins with our children. The Food Bank cannot do what we do without community support, so when organizations like the Shenandoah Valley Kiwanis Club step up to help raise money for our programs with creative fundraising projects like this, it lifts the entire community,” said Kari Diener, Chief Executive Officer of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.

“We wanted to create a fun way to raise money while calling attention to this serious problem in our community,” said Jan Mangun, contest team leader for the Shenandoah Valley Kiwanis Club. In alignment with our mission, we believe in a world where children can learn and grow without worrying about their next meal. People love their pets—they’re part of the family. This contest enables people to promote their cool pets by getting friends, relatives, and co‑workers to vote, and at the same time support children in our community in this important way.”

How the Contest Works

• Entry fee: $10 (includes 10 votes)
• Voting: $1 per vote; anyone can vote; no limit on number of votes
• Timeline:
  • Entries open September 8, 2026
  • Voting runs September 8, 2026, at 9:00 AM ET through September 29, 2026, at 9:00 PM ET
• Prizes:
  • First, second, and third place winners will receive prizes and recognition.
    • First Place receives a full-size stick and peel see-through vinyl banner for the rear window of their vehicle, a “Coolest Pet” front yard sign, a basket of pet supplies and treats or a gift certificate to an area pet store, plus a feature post on the Shenandoah Valley Kiwanis Club’s Facebook page.
    • 2^nd Place: A featured photo on the Shenandoah Valley Kiwanis Club’s Facebook page, a gift basket of pet supplies and treats, or a gift certificate to an area pet store.
    • 3^rd Place: A featured photo on the Shenandoah Valley Kiwanis Club’s Facebook page, a gift basket of pet supplies and treats, or a gift certificate to an area pet store.

To enter, vote, or view official rules, visit www.brafb.org/pets.

Media Opportunity

To schedule an interview with the Shenandoah Valley Kiwanis Club or the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, please contact Les Sinclair, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Sr. Mgr. of Communications & Public Relations, 434-962-5403, lsinclair@brafb.org.

Media assets are available here: https://brafb.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/BRAFBStoryBank/IgD6ti379xkBQ4ic12GOnYG2AY5NllpLvzdzECJ_TbYEtmQ?e=H5Rg3z

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About the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank
The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank is the largest hunger‑relief organization serving western and central Virginia. Founded in 1981, the Food Bank serves 25 counties and 8 cities through distribution centers in Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Winchester, and its headquarters in Verona. Each month, the Food Bank supports an average of 178,200 guest visits, reaching record numbers of Virginians through a network of 300+ community partners and programs like food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and program sites. As a partner food bank of Feeding America®, the nation’s largest hunger‑relief organization, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank pledges to continue innovating and adapting to secure, store, and distribute more food to individuals, families, children, and seniors experiencing hunger. For more information, visit www.brafb.org.

About the Shenandoah Valley Kiwanis Club
The Shenandoah Valley Kiwanis Club (SVKC) enriches the lives of children in the Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro community through acts of service that benefit our youth, our neighbors, and our environment. Founded in 1915, Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. Our motto is “serving the children of the world.” For more information about Kiwanis or if you are interested in joining our mission, contact Candace Martin at candace202@hotmail.com. We serve kids…Join Us!

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Contact: Les Sinclair
434-962-5403
lsinclair@brafb.org
www.brafb.org