This week: Food drive aims to address growing need ahead of Thanksgiving

Gavin Stone, The Virginian-Pilot
·3 min read

The need for food donations has dramatically increased in recent years, food bank staff say, and next week is an opportunity to meet that need.

Five locations throughout the region will accept food simultaneously from 5:30 a.m. Nov. 17 to 3 p.m. Nov. 19 as part of the 27th Annual Mayflower Marathon Food and Fund Drive, hosted by Classic Rock 106.9 The Fox and FM99. Last year, the event netted enough food and money to provide 730,000 meals to those in need.

The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore has seen an 18% increase in visits to their pantries compared to last year, according to spokesperson Mallory Reckling. Reckling added that Virginia Beach saw the largest spike in their coverage area, with a 32% increase. Norfolk saw a 25% increase.

“Food banks across the country are seeing an increase of need and a decrease in donations,” Reckling said.

Donors can drop off food at a drive-thru at the designated locations, and there is also an online donation option. All the food donated during the the weekend is immediately distributed to the foodbanks’ partner agencies the following week to get the food out ptb Thanksgiving, according to Reckling.

“Every year, Mayflower Marathon reminds us that, in the midst of our own family celebrations, we have the power to bring sustenance to our neighbors facing hunger,” said Christopher Tan, President and CEO of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, in a news release.

The increases in families, seniors and others coming to foodbanks for help is due to a 14% increase in food costs and over the last two years, according to Liz Reasoner, Executive Director of the Food Bank of the Albemarle.

“These factors, along with the costs of fuel and general inflation, are affecting seniors and veterans living on fixed incomes and families that struggle to choose between medicine, household supplies, housing, utilities, and food,” Reasoner said in a news release.

While need has increased, donations have lagged, forcing foodbanks to buy more food to keep up with demand, Reckling said.

“Inflation is hitting our pockets also,” she said.

The most needed items are:

  • Peanut Butter and Jelly

  • Mac and Cheese

  • Canned Fruit, Applesauce or Fruit Cups (in juice or unsweetened)

  • Canned Protein – Chicken, Spam, Vienna Sausages, Tuna, Potted Meat

  • Cornbread and biscuit mixes, tortillas

  • Cereal, Oatmeal, and Pancake Mix

  • Low Sodium Hearty Soups

  • Boxed Meal Kits

  • Boxed and Instant Potatoes

  • Pasta – regular, whole wheat and rice noodles

  • Pasta Sauces – alfredo and tomato based

  • Rice – White and brown; regular, boxed, and microwaveable packs

  • Condiments – Ketchup, mayo, mustard, syrup, soy sauce, BBQ sauce

  • Canned pasta meal

The five locations are:

  • Lynnhaven Mall – 701 Lynnhaven Pkwy, Virginia Beach

  • Kroger Marketplace – 1017 University Blvd, Suffolk

  • Kroger at Coliseum Central – 1050 W. Mercury Blvd, Hampton

  • Kroger – 5007-2 Victory Blvd, Yorktown

  • Moyock Welcome Center – 106 Caratoke Hwy, Moyock, NC

To find food and other services near you visit the following sites: Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore (https://foodbankonline.org/directory/), Virginia Peninsula Foodbank (https://hrfoodbank.org/need-food/), and Food Bank of the Albemarle (https://afoodbank.org/agency-tools/agency-locator/).

Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806, gavin.stone@virginiamedia.com