Hunger Heroes

The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore is gearing up for the 7th Annual Hunger Heroes campaign, a fan-favorite food and fundraising competition that challenges our neighbors to join us in this noble mission to be the heroes our community needs! This year’s competition promises to be more impactful and engaging than ever, with the introduction of a new kick-off event: Miles for Meals.

Hunger Heroes plays a critical role in helping children and families struggling with summer hunger. Summer hunger affects children and families who depend on school meals to supply 50% of their children’s daily nutritional intake. When school is out, they lose reliable access to healthy food. Summer hunger coincides with a historically dry donation period, making it more difficult for the Foodbank to provide for our neighbors in need. In the area we serve, over 48,000 kids will face hunger this summer.

How to Compete:

Local businesses, organizations, community groups, and individuals are welcome to create a Hunger Heroes team! The competition is structured to accommodate teams of various sizes, categorized into Small (1-9 members), Medium (10-99 members), Large (100-999 members), and Enterprise (1,000+ members).

Teams can earn points through a variety of activities: fundraising, hosting a food drive, and volunteering. Additional points are awarded for participating in the Miles for Meals event, referring other teams, early registration, and more.

Awards will be given for the Best Overall performance, with the most meals per capita, as well as for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each category. Additionally, there are awards for Best Costume, both single and group, particularly highlighted in the Miles for Meals event.

Register for Hunger Heroes here.

Miles for Meals: 

The highlight of this year’s Hunger Heroes is undoubtedly the new Miles for Meals event, generously hosted by Norfolk Academy. Set to be an evening of purposeful strides, Miles for Meals invites participants to don their most heroic attire and take to the track (walk, run, or jog) to contribute to the fight against hunger on Thursday, July 11. The funds raised during this event will be converted into competition points for the participants’ teams, making every stride count.

Register for Miles for Meals here.

Justice League: 

For those looking to make an even larger impact, the Justice League sponsorship offers a unique opportunity. By pledging to raise at least $3,000, teams will not only contribute significantly to the cause but also receive special recognition. Sponsors will be acknowledged in local media advertisements, on the Hunger Heroes webpage, through dedicated social media content, and during the Miles for Meals event, along with earning bonus points. Thank you to our current Justice League members: Norfolk Academy, DollarBank, Marathon Consulting, and IES Commercial!

Hunger Heroes is not just a competition; it’s a call to action, a rallying cry for businesses, organizations, and individuals to come together and make a difference.

Participants can register for Hunger Heroes by clicking here or by reaching out to Maddie Cottrell, Community Engagement Manager, at mcottrell@foodbankonline.org or (757) 644-4432, to join this mission.

Download the toolkit to get started!