Stamp Out Hunger food drive brings in more than 192,000 pounds of food

The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank received more than 192,000 pounds of food during Stamp Out Hunger on May 11. That will provide more than 160,000 meals to families in the Blue Ridge region during the first few weeks of summer.

Now in its 21^st 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 grateful to have this generous outpouring of support heading into our most difficult time of year,” said Michael McKee, CEO of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. “We’re also most thankful to the National Association of Letter Carriers, local organizers and every mail carrier who participated in this effort. We know that this food drive prolonged their workday and added to an already heavy workload. Stamp Out Hunger wouldn’t be successful without them and we truly appreciate their service.”

On average, 115,000 people are receiving emergency food assistance each month through the Food Bank and its network of 250 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                                                         

Shenandoah Valley:  46,700+ pounds

(Harrisonburg, Staunton and Waynesboro)

Winchester:                41,800+ pounds

Charlottesville:           71,100+ pounds

Lynchburg:                32,400+ pounds

About the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank

Founded in 1981, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank is the largest organization alleviating hunger in western and central Virginia. Headquartered in Verona, VA, the Food Bank serves 25 counties and nine cities through distribution centers in Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Winchester and Verona. The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank distributes more than 20 million pounds of food annually to an average of 115,000 people each month through a network of 250 community partners – food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, schools, churches and other non-profit groups. The Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, a national food bank association that supports 202 food banks across the United States. For more information, visit www.brafb.org.