Food pantry volunteers wear gloves and masks to distribute food. A drive-through pick-up process keeps direct contact with clients and between volunteers to a minimum.
“We have seen a 15 to 20% increase in food demand. We are anticipating a bigger increase over the next several months, maybe as much as 40% due to the loss of income and jobs during this public health crisis.”
— Cindy Balderson, Healthy Harvest Food Bank Vice-President and Development Director
The Healthy Harvest Food Bank is based in Warsaw and supplies food — 40% produce, 40% non-perishable, 10% meat, 10% bakery and dairy food items — to more than 25 food pantries in the Northern Neck, Middlesex, and Essex counties.
“Most of the food pantries are church-based missions,” says White Stone Baptist Church food pantry volunteer Sue Donaldson. Donaldson and her husband Roger manage the pantry that distributes food weekly to more than 120 families living in White Stone, Irvington, and Weems. “We purchase fresh produce and other food items for about five cents a pound from the Healthy Harvest Food Bank. They deliver the food and unload it. We distribute it to our clients who need it.”
All the food pantries are staffed by volunteers, mostly retired locals who are committed to feeding their neighbors who face hunger insecurity. However, because of underlying health concerns often related to age, some of the regulars cannot volunteer. Others have stepped up to take their place. “Three teens volunteered last week,” says Donaldson.
Young or old, volunteers wear gloves and masks to distribute food. A drive-through pick-up process keeps direct contact with clients and between volunteers to a minimum.
According to census.gov, the 2019 national average for people who live below the poverty line was 10.7%. That number was considerably higher in the Northern Neck, Middlesex, and Essex counties: Lancaster County – 12.3%; Northumberland County – 14.8%; Richmond County – 15.9%; Westmoreland County – 16.4%; Middlesex County – 12.7%; and Essex County – 13.7%.
According to Feeding America, rural communities make up 63% of counties in the United States and 78% of counties with the highest rates of overall food insecurity. And because of the economic impact of Covid-19, those numbers are increasing. “People who never dreamt they would need the charitable food system to feed themselves and their family are showing up,” says Feeding America CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot.
A current food pantry list and distribution dates are available at hhfb.org. “Pantry dates and times vary by location,” says Balderson. “I encourage clients to check for any updates before making their plans.”
Virginians who are deemed non-essential are State mandated to hunker down at home until at least June 10. Many households are struggling without a weekly paycheck, and food insecurity is expected to quickly accelerate. A donation of cash or non-perishable food to the Healthy Harvest Food Bank will help feed our neighbors in the Northern Neck, Middlesex, and Essex counties.
“A donation to the Healthy Harvest Food Bank helps provide the most nutritious food available to those who need it most,” says Balderson.
For additional information, or to make a donation, go to hhfb.org.