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FredNats, Virginia Credit Union donate $11K to Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank

Rebecca Barnabi
Courtesy of the FredNats.

Virginia Credit Union (VACU) and the Fredericksburg Nationals have donated $11,710 to combat hunger and food insecurity in the Central Rappahannock River area.

Through a partnership with the FredNats, the Fredericksburg-based minor league baseball team, VACU makes a $5 donation to the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank for every strikeout recorded by the Nationals’ pitchers during the team’s season. The FredNats matched VACU’s $5,855 donation.

“We’re grateful for the good work of the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank in helping alleviate hunger in our community,” said Virginia Credit Union President/CEO Chris Shockley. “We know the food bank continues to see a surge in the demand for assistance, and VACU is proud to lend a helping hand.”

In its third year, the Strikeout Hunger campaign is one of many VACU initiatives to aid the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank, which serves the city of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Orange, Spotsylvania and Stafford. Members and employees of VACU also support area food banks through food drives, volunteer workdays and other fundraisers.

VACU and the FredNats have donated $32,710 in three years to the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank, which equals 65,420 meals for neighbors in need.

“Teamwork and partnership are essential to the work we do,” Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank President/CEO Dan Maher said. “Virginia Credit Union and the FredNats show great teamwork and great community awareness in committing $5 toward hunger relief for every strikeout by FredNats pitchers. We are honored to partner with them to make their community spirit tangible to those who rely on our services.”

The Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank provides nutritious food to more than 46,000 people through a network of 235 community partners operating more than 330 food assistance programs.

The Fredericksburg Nationals are a Minor League Baseball team and a Single-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals who play home games at Virginia Credit Union Stadium in Fredericksburg.

Rebecca Barnabi

Rebecca Barnabi

Rebecca J. Barnabi is the national editor of Augusta Free Press. A graduate of the University of Mary Washington, she began her journalism career at The Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star. In 2013, she was awarded first place for feature writing in the Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia Awards Program, and was honored by the Virginia School Boards Association’s 2019 Media Honor Roll Program for her coverage of Waynesboro Schools. Her background in newspapers includes writing about features, local government, education and the arts.