River City Bread Basket offers distribution with dignity for families in need of food assistance

WAYNESBORO — Operating a food distribution network in Waynesboro and Staunton the past two years, Adrienne and AJ Young started seeing an increase in families requesting food assistance in March. That coincided with the end of additional pandemic benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

During last spring into the summer, the Youngs were adding on average five families a month to their distribution network operated by the nonprofit LIFEworks Project, an organization cofounded by the Waynesboro couple. LIFEworks wasn't advertising the food boxes they were handing out in various locations, so the increase came purely through word of mouth. The Youngs realized that the need was most likely much greater than what they were seeing.

That led them to launching a food pantry that is free and client-choice. The LIFEworks board, which the Youngs said is both motivated and community minded, has been instrumental in getting this project off the ground.

"People can come and get what they want," Adrienne Young said. "What suits whatever cultural needs they have, whatever dietary needs they have and not just get a box."

River City Bread Basket will hold a grand opening at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 with a ribbon cutting at 9 a.m. The pantry will be located at 505 N. Winchester Ave., Waynesboro, just off of a Delphine Avenue.

"We were really intentional about where we wanted to have the outlet," AJ Young said. "If you live in Waynesboro and you know anything about the east side, you know there's no grocery stores. We wanted to be in an area that really can serve the people."

The plan is to be open hours that benefit ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households. These families earn above the federal poverty level yet struggle to afford basic expenses.

River City Bread Basket will be open Thursdays 4:30-7 p.m., Fridays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and the first and third Saturdays of every month 10 a.m.-2 p.m. starting Oct. 7. As the couple sees the needs in the community, more hours will be added.

"We always wanted to have a food outlet," Adrienne Young said. "We just didn't know we would be getting one this soon. We knew we would need to pivot. Doing it hand-to-door, while it's effective for those we're serving, it really limits what we're able to do."

This outlet will be convenient to more families, offering more options. The Youngs call this distribution with dignity as families get to choose what they need instead of being handed select items.

"That's one of the aspects of the LIFEworks Project, empowerment," AJ Young said. "Many times folks, including us, will take for granted that you can just go in a store and buy what you want. That's just not the case for many families. So we're just trying to give that agency back to families."

There will be a dry erase board listing weekly specials. Another board will list services available from community stakeholders. Augusta Health will provide some services, including health and food education.

"It's more than just a client-choice outlet," AJ Young said. "It's a community activation center that happens to do food."

The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank has been a great partner, the Youngs said, but they are also partnering with Walmart and Food Lion for meat and produce. The hope is local businesses or organizations will adopt shelves in the outlet. The Youngs envision providing items beyond just basic food, including hygiene products and baby items.

Anyone interested in helping through volunteering or donating can contact the Youngs through the LIFEworks Project website.

"It will allow groups to be a part of this community project," Adrienne Young said. "Which is what we hope it ends up being."

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— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and follow him on Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Distribution with dignity: River City Bread Basket to help families in need