VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Virginia Natural Gas is hosting a drive-thru food drive to benefit The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore and the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank.
The drives were held at two VNG locations on the morning of Thursday, May 21, with one in Virginia Beach and the other in Newport News.
VNG hosted the drive-thru event as an effort to help curb the escalation of food insecurity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Obviously there's a great need in the community as a result of the pandemic so we wanted to do our part,” said George Faatz Director of Growth and Strategic Planning at Virginia Natural Gas.
The agency received donations of everything from soup to toilet paper. By the end of the day, at the Virginia Beach location, they collected just under 50 donations.
“It makes me feel good, this is a good place to live. It's family-oriented and everybody cares about everybody else,” said Tami Higgins, a Virginia Beach resident who dropped off food.
The food drives were held at:
- 544 S. Independence Boulevard in Virginia Beach from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
- 746 Diligence Drive in Newport News from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
VNG also asked that people taking part wear a face covering for their safety and the safety of employee volunteers.
The foodbanks are asking for non-perishable food items such as peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables, fruit juice, pasta sauce, and boxed meals.
Donations of cereal, pasta, oatmeal, and rice, as well as baby products and personal hygiene items, were accepted.