In a significant move to bolster food security in the region, the Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia is channeling over $400,000 into expanding food access initiatives facilitated by Feeding Southwest Virginia.
The formalization of this support took place on Tuesday morning with a check presentation at Feeding Southwest Virginia’s Abingdon distribution hub. The IMPACT Grant, totaling $403,080, is designated to fund critical improvements, including the installation of a new roof and the support of the Healthy Pantry Initiative (HPI) expansion.
This generous grant will also benefit three collaboration-driven food pantries: the Roger Jessee Community Food Pantry in Russell County, Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry in Smyth County, and Hands of Grace Food Pantry in Grayson County.
As a dedicated philanthropic partner, the Wellspring Foundation engages with the communities across Washington, Grayson, Russell, and Smyth counties, aiming to address pressing societal needs.
Sean McMurray, the Executive Director, shared with News Channel 11 that a collaborative study with Feeding Southwest Virginia conducted years prior had pinpointed gaps and necessities within local food pantries, guiding current endeavors.
“The work that Feeding Southwest Virginia does is just absolutely critical to the health and well-being of the people that live here,” McMurray said. “So it really matches up with our mission. Our board is especially interested in investing in things that have a long-term impact.”
With it being Feeding Southwest Virginia’s 45th anniversary, President and CEO Pamela Irvine told News Channel 11 that the need for the distribution of food to families and individuals continues to grow.
“It’s history for us; it’s one of the largest single gifts we’ve ever gotten in our 45 years, which is extremely important,” Irvine said. “We’re seeing an increase and we know that in Virginia, there’s 200,000 individuals that have dropped off of the SNAP program. We know there’s more changes to come. So we know there will be more neighbors that will be coming to these pantries, and that will enable them to be able to meet an increasing need. And being able to provide services differently, that’s important.”
“Our agencies, as we speak with them, they’ve seen anywhere between 10% and 30% increase in the number of neighbors come in. As I was here today, we have a hot meal program to go and, like a pantry, over 80% of the people that came to pick up food were seniors,” Irvine added. “And we know their incomes aren’t going to change.”
Between the three partnering pantries, the new funding will provide additions like delivery food services and new refrigerators to expand food access. Hands of Grace Food Pantry USDA Liaison Emma Walbroehl said this will open up more funding for food.
“It’s going to allow us to update to more energy-efficient equipment, which is going to lower the cost for our electricity,” Walbroehl said. “It’s actually going to give us the opportunity to have more storage space for more fresh food, more frozen food, to be able to get more out into the community. This would allow us storage to be able to get more of that out into the community.”