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Our Story

Our story begins and ends with our neighbors.

We are called to serve the growing numbers of community members who are living with hunger in the Blue Ridge region.

Our vision: Nourishing food and good health—for everyone, every day.

This non-profit that started in 1981 as a “rural experiment in food banking” has grown to become the largest hunger-relief organization in central and western Virginia. With a service area that covers about a third of the state, the Food Bank is one of seven food banks in Virginia and a partner food bank of Feeding America. 

As a community food bank, we rely on generous community support to meet our mission. In fact, the Food Bank family includes hundreds of partners, more than a thousand active volunteers, and thousands of food and financial donors, in addition to a cadre of passionate staff.

It's a good blessing for us and I try to share with other people.

— Roxana, guest
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Mission

To improve food security through equitable access to good nutrition and the resources that support health and well-being.

Core beliefs

Hunger is unacceptable.
Everyone deserves access to enough food.
Food sustains life and nourishes health.
We are called to serve without judgment.

How does food banking work?

The Food Bank secures donations, safely stores food in our four warehouses (Verona, Winchester, Charlottesville, Lynchburg), and distributes food to our partners (pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and program sites), who provide nutritious food to our community members living with food insecurity.
Secure Donations Secure Donations
Move food Move food
Prep and store food Prep and store food
Distribute food through local pantry and program partners Distribute food through local pantry and program partners
Nourishing food for everyone Nourishing food for everyone
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With and for our neighbors, our strategic goals are to:

1

Eliminate disparities in access to nutritious food

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2

Improve the health of guests

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3

Support household financial stability

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4

Maintain a strong and sustainable organization

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strategic-image

When we come together to address hunger, it demonstrates that we live in a community that cares deeply about the well-being of all its members.

— Michael McKee, CEO
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Get Involved

We need many hands and hearts to achieve our shared vision. Explore ways that you can get involved.