Established in 1986, Virginia Peninsula Foodbank, a member of Feeding America and the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization providing food assistance for children, seniors, veterans, and hardworking individuals and families who are experiencing food insecurity or not having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.
Virginia Peninsula Foodbank, one of seven food banks in the Commonwealth of Virginia, provides hunger ... Read More
Established in 1986, Virginia Peninsula Foodbank, a member of Feeding America and the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization providing food assistance for children, seniors, veterans, and hardworking individuals and families who are experiencing food insecurity or not having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.
Virginia Peninsula Foodbank, one of seven food banks in the Commonwealth of Virginia, provides hunger relief to the 1 in 7 Peninsula residents who are experiencing food insecurity. Our service area has one of the highest percentages of food insecurity in Virginia at 13.2% vs. the state average of 10.2% this means that an average of 71,000 people in our community struggle to obtain healthy food on any given day.
Our Food Distribution Program serves as a regional facility for donated and purchased food as well as related items. In turn, these items are distributed to qualified nonprofit organizations providing food to those who live in food insecure households across the greater Peninsula. The Foodbank acquires surpluses and potentially recoverable food items gathered from local retailers, wholesalers, distributors, food industry manufacturers, grocery stores, gleaning projects and individual donors from throughout our service area. Further, food made available to residents is also received from national donors through the Feeding America National Network of Food Banks. Also, first quality food items are obtained from the USDA through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), collected in food drives supported by numerous organizations, business, schools, civic groups and individuals. The Foodbank then distributes these goods to emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other nonprofit agencies which assist Peninsula residents who struggle with hunger.
Hunger doesn't discriminate. Seniors, kids – people of all ages – are impacted by hunger in our community. Regrettably, hunger and need know no season. Partnering with 140 member agencies, the Foodbank provides assistance through food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, childcare centers, elderly programs, family service agencies, healthcare agencies, and women's, infant's and children's services.
Virginia Peninsula Foodbank also plays an important and vital role in our community’s emergency response during and after a disaster. When our communities confront unexpected challenges, such as the Coronavirus (COVID-19) threat, lives can be disrupted. We coordinate with local governments and other nonprofits and keep our own partner agencies and programs operational when safely possible. We acquire higher quantities of food and will also host additional distributions to get healthy food to all who are struggling with food insecurity due to a sudden disruption to their lives and finances.
Ways that you can help: Donate, Volunteer, Advocate
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