How We Achieved a Record-Breaking 2024 Providing Nutritious Food
In 2024, the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore set a new standard for community nutrition, delivering an extraordinary 24 million pounds of food – our highest distribution record to date! Each pound represents a family supported, a neighbor nourished, and a community strengthened.
Our mission goes beyond simply distributing food. We focus on providing nutritious options to individuals and families in need and ensuring their long-term well-being. This blog will dive into the key initiatives from our 2024 Annual Report that helped us achieve a record-breaking year, the partnerships that made it possible, and how we’re continuing to build healthier, stronger communities.
Food Bank Partnerships for Healthier Options
Providing fresh, nutrient-rich food is no small task, but strategic collaborations with local farmers, grocery stores, and retailers have allowed us to meet rising demand with quality products. These food bank partnerships played a key role in improving access to fresh produce, dairy, and lean proteins, with 78% of the food distributed by the food bank classified as healthy and nutritious.
One success story from 2024 is the Foodbank’s partnership with Charles Bazdanes, the founder of Family 4 Eternity. Charles’ organization now distributes an average of 39,000 pounds of food per month, including fresh produce and prepared meals. Thanks to his dedication and support from the Foodbank’s regular deliveries, thousands of families now have access to healthier food options.
Food Drives and Healthier Choices
Community food drive contributions have always been a core pillar of our success, and encouraging healthier donations is essential to ensuring that those in need have access to nutritious, balanced meals.
With the help of Retail Rescue partnerships and support from local businesses, Pastor Bobby Carroll Huether and the Pungoteague Community Church supplied critical fresh food to their small, rural community, reflecting the power of local food drives in delivering diverse and nutritious options.
Mobile Pantry Distributions
Mobile pantry distribution was another key to the Foodbank’s success in 2024. We focused on extending our reach to underserved areas by adding new distribution sites and increasing deliveries, bringing fresh, nutritious food closer to those who needed it the most.
With drastic improvements in inventory management and logistics, The Foodbank maintained food quality and freshness while reaching more households than ever before. Our monthly distribution averages 1.78 million pounds!
From distributing USDA-provided food to creating mobile routes that deliver groceries and hot meals, efforts like those led by Candy Cares are truly inspirational. Since becoming a Foodbank partner in 2024, Candy’s team has provided food pantry deliveries and meals directly to families during their Sunday Dinner distributions and through appointment-based distributions on Fridays. Her initiative combines mobility, community connection, and nutritional excellence.
Overall, Foodbank mobile pantries recorded over 2.3 million in mobile pantry distributions in 2024 alone. Each distribution represented a critical step in ensuring no one in our service area had to face hunger.
Food Pantry Volunteers
We couldn’t make strides in healthy food distribution without the committed efforts of our food pantry volunteers. These champions are the backbone of our day-to-day operations, working tirelessly to sort and distribute fresh food. Many also take the time to educate recipients on meal prep and healthy eating habits.
Volunteers like Gabriel Harper pour their hearts into stocking shelves and assisting neighbors, making nutritious food accessible with warmth and dignity. After discovering community through stewardship with the Foodbank, Gabriel shares, “The Foodbank isn’t just about food; it’s about providing a safe haven where people can feel supported and valued.”
Volunteers are critical to our mission. They help us distribute over 20 million meals, focusing on fresh and nutritious options.
More Than Nutritious Food Pantry Deliveries
The Community Feed at the Jordan-Newby Anchor Branch Library is a thriving food hub that distributes fresh food and fosters a strong sense of community. For Priest White, a grateful neighbor, the Community Feed has been life-changing. Beyond healthy meals, the hub has connected him to vital resources like housing assistance, health screenings, and legal aid. Priest has also formed friendships and found comfort in shared experiences with neighbors.
How You Can Support Healthy Food Access
Tackling hunger challenges and focusing on nutritious solutions wouldn’t be possible without the support of our community. Whether through food bank partnerships, food drive contributions, or volunteer hours, your efforts further the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore‘s mission of ensuring long-term well-being for families. Together, we can do even more in 2025.
Here’s how you can join us and make an impact today:
- Donate to Food Banks: Your monetary support helps us purchase more fresh produce, dairy, proteins, and other essential items to provide nutritious food to those in need.
- Host a Health-Focused Food Drive: Encourage your community to donate healthy options, like whole grains and low-sodium canned goods. Together, you can expand families’ access to nutrient-rich foods.
- Be a Food Pantry Volunteer: Help us sort, pack, and distribute fresh food. Your hands-on efforts ensure families get the support they need.
- Advocate for Nutritional Support: Raise awareness about the importance of nutritious food for fighting hunger and improving long-term well-being.
See more data and read more stories from the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore’s partners and neighbors in our 2024 Annual Report.