The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank received more than 170,000 pounds of food during Stamp Out Hunger on May 12. That will provide more than 144,000 meals to families in the Blue Ridge region during the first few weeks of summer.
Now in its 20th year, Stamp Out Hunger is one of the Food Bank’s most important food drives of the year, as it helps stock the shelves before the summer slump. While hunger doesn’t take a summer vacation, food and financial donations plummet dramatically between June and September. Stamp Out Hunger provides a much-needed boost.
We’re very grateful to the community for their support heading into our most difficult time of the year,” said Larry Zippin, CEO of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. “And we’re most thankful to the National Association of Letter Carriers, local organizers and every mail carrier who participated in this effort despite difficult circumstances and a heavy workload. Stamp Out Hunger wouldn’t exist without them and we appreciate their service over the last 20 years.”
More than 120,000 people receive emergency food assistance each month through the Food Bank and its network of community partners. While the donations from Stamp Out Hunger provide a tremendous lift, it won’t last long. Most of the donations will be distributed by mid-June, well before the end of summer.
Results by Region (totals not final as some donations continue to trickle in)
Shenandoah Valley: 57,000+ pounds (Harrisonburg, Staunton and Waynesboro)
Winchester: 32,600+ pounds
Charlottesville: 63,600+ pounds
Lynchburg: 20,500+ pounds
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