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Food bank network endures 'perfect storm'
The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Network and its member agencies are feeling the pinch of rising food and fuel prices. In March, food distribution grew 25 percent over last year.
Locally, the Lord Fairfax Area Branch of the food bank – which provides food to several Loudoun County food pantries -- served nearly 33 percent more elderly residents in March.
To date, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Network has distributed an extra 250,000 pounds of food to Northern Virginia and Winchester area needy. Network-wide, the food bank – which services 25 counties and nine cities in Virginia and has four branches across 12,000 square miles -- has distributed an additional 1.6 million pounds of food over last year.
April was the first month that the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Network failed to meet its cash donation budget this year. With egg prices up 40 percent and milk prices up 26 percent over last year, Food Bank CEO Martin L. White said he sees no relief in sight.
“We’ve entered this perfect storm scenario,” White said. “We’re seeing situations that have never existed in the history of this organization. The demand, the stress on the middle class and the inflation of the economy have created a set of circumstances that makes it very difficult for the working poor to make ends meet. We really need the help now more than ever before.”
A press release from the Verona-based organization said during the summer months, monetary and food donations typically decrease dramatically. However, the need increases with the onset of summer. Children who typically receive school meals at free or reduced rates may not have access to food during the summer months. That’s when the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Network steps in to provide access to nutritious food with its Summer Feeding Program.
There are many ways that the community can help, especially through food drives and monetary donations. The National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive is May 10, and is one of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Network’s largest food drives of the year.
Next weekend, residents may leave nonperishable food items at their mailboxes, and a mail carrier will pick up the items to take to the food bank for area needy. This national food drive brought in about 140,000 pounds of food for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Network last year, and is one of the most important food drives of the year.
The Lord Fairfax Area Branch of the food bank serves the city of Winchester and the counties of Loudoun, Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah and Warren.
The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Network serves 129,000 people annually and distributed more than 8.7 million pounds of food last year.
-- Compiled by Anne Keisman
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