Hunger Action Month
The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank is part of a national movement to raise awareness and take action to fight hunger in America. September is Hunger Action Month, and today marks the launch of hunger-fighting activities and hunger awareness initiatives in the community.
Throughout the month, Feeding America’s nationwide network of more than 200 food banks, including the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, is working to engage citizens to take action through the 30 Ways in 30 Days campaign. Individuals are asked to pledge their way to make a difference, and take part in the fight against hunger in America. In addition, throughout the month, there will be doable, daily “ways” to take action posted on the Hunger Action Month website thirty days, thirty featured ways along with many additional suggestions for getting involved.
Nationwide, more than 49 million Americans suffer from food insecurity. But hunger’s impact is felt by many more than the millions living with food insecurity: hunger impacts child development, health and wellness, education, workforce development – our general welfare as a nation. It is also an issue right here in our community, and at the local level, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank works to combat hunger and aid the 59,000 people seeking food assistance right here in the Central Shenandoah Valley.
Throughout September, there will be opportunities to get involved. These opportunities will range from social media initiatives to events, family activity suggestions, and ways to volunteer or support the work the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank does every day.
National sponsors of Hunger Action Month include Kraft Foods, Macy’s, The Cheesecake Factory and United Airlines.
Individuals who want to learn more, find a 30 Ways in 30 Days calendar, or take a My Way Pledge can visit the www.brafb.org.
Edited by Chris Graham. Chris can be reached at freepress2@ntelos.net.
Focus | A hand up to local agencies
Augusta Health Foundation monies help agencies help those most in need
Story by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
Running a food pantry isn’t easy even when times are supposedly good. Try getting enough food in to help those who are in need when things aren’t so good.
“These organizations didn’t see a commensurate increase in donations to help them pay their bills,” said Michael McKee, the vice president of planning and development at the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, which with the aid of the Augusta Health Foundation set up a program to help food pantries and soup kitchens in the Greater Augusta area purchase needed foodstuffs. Continue reading “Focus | A hand up to local agencies” »
Panera partners with Food Bank
Panera Bread bakery-cafes will partner with Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Network to help put food on tables for Food Bank recipients throughout the state when they host their first “Panera’s Pantry” food drive campaign through Nov. 23.
Patrons can bring nonperishable canned food items to any Panera Bread location in the Blue Ridge Bread franchise, including cafes in Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Winchester, Warrenton, as well as the café in Ranson, W.Va., where it will be stored for their local Food Bank and donated to families in need. Continue reading “Panera partners with Food Bank” »
Food Bank announces Hunger Action Month
The Shenandoah Valley branch of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Network, in conjunction with Feeding America, announces the second annual Hunger Action Month, a nationwide call-to-action effort to mobilize people everywhere to get involved with ending hunger in America this September. Continue reading “Food Bank announces Hunger Action Month” »
Video | Martin’s gives a hand to the Food Bank
Martin’s Foods donated more than 400 hams to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Network on Friday, March 27, 2009, as part of a mass donation of 10,000 hams to food banks in a four-state area. AFP editor Chris Graham highlights the food need that exists in our area. Length: 1:02. Continue reading “Video | Martin’s gives a hand to the Food Bank” »
White steps down as CEO at Food Bank Network
A curious move, this one. Marty White is stepping down as CEO of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Network and will assume the duties of chief operating officer of the Verona-based food bank. White is staying on as interim CEO while the food bank’s board of directors conducts a search for a new CEO. Continue reading “White steps down as CEO at Food Bank Network” »
Kolbe named chief development officer at Food Bank
The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Network has named Peter Kolbe its chief development officer.
Kolbe’s task as chief development officer will be to continue the development of funding sources for the Verona-based Food Bank Network, which serves a 12,000-square-mile area. Continue reading “Kolbe named chief development officer at Food Bank” »
Videocast | Food banks to ask state taxpayers for help
The Federation of Virginia Food Banks is going to be asking the Virginia General Assembly for a million dollars in emergency aid to help them continue providing food to needy families hit hardest in the ongoing economic downturn. AFP editor Chris Graham reporting. Length: 3:22. Continue reading “Videocast | Food banks to ask state taxpayers for help” »
Food Bank struggling through holiday season
It’s the Catch-22 of food pantries. When times are tough, there are more people who need help putting food on the table, and generally there are less people able to help. Continue reading “Food Bank struggling through holiday season” »
Valley News: Food Bank benefits from ‘Idol Gives Back’
Item by Chris Graham
freepress@ntelos.net
As much as many of us can’t stand the TV show “American Idol,” there’s a reason to thank Simon and Paula and Randy and Ryan and the crooners. The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Network announced yesterday that it has received a $100,000 grant to fight child hunger in the Shenandoah Valley and Central Virginia through a program that benefited from a two-night “American Idol” fund-raising special earlier this year.
“We are extremely grateful for this support of our work feeding hungry children,” said Marty White, CEO of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Network. “Each year, approximately 49,000 children receive food through our organization. This grant will help the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Network and other food banks across the country continue to ensure that these children do not go to bed hungry or wondering where their next meal will come from.”
The grant will allow the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Network to provide wholesome take-home snacks on a daily basis to 543 preschool age children who are food insecure in Augusta, Bath, Highland and Rockbridge counties, and the cities of Lynchburg, Staunton and Waynesboro. In addition, the Food Bank will provide 164 children in Staunton and Waynesboro with five dinners per week to be distributed on a weekly and daily schedule.
The grant money will be used to fund Operation Angel Food, a collaborative effort between the food bank, Head Start and the Virginia Preschool Initiative to ensure that children between the ages of 3 and 5 have access to nutritious foods.
