SVDA’s primary Food Security Initiative is to support the Southwestern Virginia Second Harvest Food Bank. The Food Bank serves the hungry in 26 counties and 10 cities across Southwest Virginia. The way it works is that food is donated by manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, USDA, America’s Second Harvest and others and is then distributed by over 350 member agencies to those in need. These member agencies are faith based food pantries, homeless shelters, after school programs, community kitchens and other qualifying nonprofit organizations that provide food or meals to hungry people. For every $1.00 donated, the Food Bank can distribute $6.00 worth of food and related product (new data 7/06). This return on cash donations is possible because money can be used to secure trucking to pick up foods as they become available.

The needs of the hungry in our area are persistent and increasing. According to the Food Bank, the availability of donated food in our region and across the nation is shrinking due to changing business practices in the food industry. Additionally, our region has experienced the economic impact of business closings and slow downs in mining and manufacturing. Thus, the decrease in donated foods and increase in needs of families have made the mission of the Food Bank all the more urgent.

The Southwestern Virginia Second Harvest Food Bank  has recently moved to a new building, the former USFoods building at Electric Road and Roanoke Boulevard in Salem, which it is currently leasing. The move was necessary to meet requirements for adequate freezer space and sanitation regulations, which had become an increasing problem at the previous location. In an effort to fund the purchase of this building and to fund other programs and services, the Food Bank has initiated “The Campaign to Change the Face of Hunger”, with a goal of raising $3.6 million dollars.

Along with our annual membership renewal drive this year SVDA is asking members to include a cash donation to the Southwestern Virginia Second Harvest Food Bank. More information on the Food Bank is available on their website at http://www.swvafoodbank.org/index.html.

Help the SVDA meet it's goal of donating $1,000 to the Southwestern Virginia Second Harvest Food Bank this year!  Donations can be sent in with your membership application and will also be accepted at our quarterly meetings.  Thank You!!!