Planting Seeds of Hope
Chef Damon Covington, owner of the Urban Culinary Institute, has taught several classes for the Collaborating for Clients program at the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore. Chef Damon approached the Foodbank with the idea to partner with Deirdre Love, Executive Director of Teens with a Purpose (TWP) to hold a “Plant, Cook & Dine” event.
The “Plant, Cook & Dine” event was created to help the teens plant an organic garden utilizing the space in the TWP parking lot and allow them to see Chef Damon demonstrate how to cook using fresh fruits and vegetables. Continue Reading »
Dear Friend of the Foodbank
For more than 35 years, the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore has been fulfilling our mission of “leading the effort to eliminate hunger in our community.” Our vision for “a hunger-free community” remains at the forefront of our daily work when implementing our programs and strategic priorities.
Yet, it seems that the time is upon us to reassess the meaning of our mission and identify innovative solutions that build upon our prior organizational successes. With our capacity to distribute more than 15 million meals each year to over 180,000 individuals, we now have one of the greatest opportunities to achieve transformational and measurable impact in the region. Continue Reading »
Healthier Foods for a Healthier Suffolk
Since 2013, the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore has operated a Healthy Mobile Pantry in Suffolk. This program was funded with a grant from the Obici Healthcare Foundation. The program is a part of the Foodbank’s ongoing nutrition initiative that aims to deliver higher-quality, healthy foods along with nutrition information to those that struggle with hunger. “Lower-income families on a limited budget frequently tell us that purchasing fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins is just too tough on their wallets,” said Renee Figurelle, Chief Operating Officer of the Foodbank. Continue Reading »
Police, Fire and Rescue Partner to Feed Local Children
One of many initiatives implemented to strengthen the relationship with the community is a partnership between the City of Portsmouth’s Child Hunger Intervention with Public Safety Program (CHIPS) and the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore to host a Summer Mobile Pantry.
“I have worked in the Portsmouth community for nearly five years now and have seen a lack of adequate nutrition greatly impact the children in the neighborhood where I serve as a paramedic in the fire department,” said Kellie Wells, CHIPS Coordiantor,. “I created this program as an opportunity to meet this great need, and also improve the relationships between the community and members of public safety.
Continue Reading »
Eastern Shore Branch Renovations Update
In an effort to continue to address our core mission of “leading the effort to eliminate hunger in our community” and the vision for a “hunger free community”, the renovations at the Eastern Shore Branch are moving forward. The space made available through the renovation will support the day-to-day food distribution operation.
“The programs we support had quite simply outgrown the current space” said Charmin Horton, Eastern Shore Branch Manager. “We are excited about the utilization of this additional space to better serve our clients in a more efficient manner.” Continue Reading »
20th Annual Mayflower Marathon
The 20th Annual FM99 and 106.9 The Fox Mayflower Marathon is a 57-hour consecutive food and fund drive event to help provide meals to those struggling with hunger in the community throughout the Thanksgiving holiday. Along with the Virginia Beach Mayflower location at Pembroke Mall, a second site was added last year at First Team Subaru in Suffolk. With 2016 being the 20th anniversary of Mayflower Marathon, we hope to exceed last year’s totals. Can you help us reach 510,000 meals? Find Out How You Can Help »
