NORFOLK, Va. — In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, several Hampton Roads non-profits have partnered up to help those facing food insecurity.
During a press conference Thursday, Dr. Ruth Jones-Nichols, the President of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and Eastern Shore announced new measures they’re taking to help people who don’t have access to food.
“Leading is what we do each day, but today, we know the word ‘leading’ takes on new meaning,” said Jones-Nichols.
Beginning this Friday, the foodbank will set up drive-through food distribution sites. It’s partnering with the YMCA to distribute food at four YMCA locations.
Each distribution site will have a grab-and-go set-up in order to maintain social distancing.
The Foodbank will distribute food at these YMCA locations Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. beginning Friday, March 20:
Suffolk Family YMCA
2769 Godwin Blvd., Suffolk, VA 23434
James L. Camp Jr. Family YMCA
300 Crescent Drive, Franklin, VA 23851
The Y on Granby
2901 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23504
Greenbrier Family YMCA
1033 Greenbrier Pkwy., Chesapeake, VA 23320
The foodbank will need some help of its own. Its leaders have asked people to donate food items to these five locations:
Hilltop Family YMCA 1536
Laskin Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
(Food donations may be made to these sites Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon and from 5 to 7 p.m.)
Great Bridge/Hickory Family YMCA
633 South Battlefield Blvd., Chesapeake, VA 23322
Mt. Trashmore Family YMCA 4441
South Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Taylor Bend Family YMCA
4626 Taylor Road, Chesapeake, VA 23321
(Food donations may be made to these sites Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon and from 5 to 7 p.m.)
Eastern Shore Family YMCA
26164 Lankford Hwy., Onley, VA 23418
(Food donations may be made to this site Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon.)
Town of Cape Charles Firehouse
515 Mason Ave., Cape Charles, VA 23310
(Food donations may be made to this site Mondays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
The foodbank has also partnered with Mercy Chefs to provide people with 2,000 hot meals. Mercy Chef Founder Gary LeBlanc said this time, the help is not needed abroad but in Hampton Roads.
“What an opportunity, none of us would have expected that something like this would happen in our own backyard,” said LeBlanc.
Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia has also joined the partnership to deliver meals to people.
“We’ll do everything we can to make sure nobody is overlooked,” said LeBlanc.
The bottom line: anyone facing food insecurity during this time can get help from these non-profits, no questions asked.
For more information, visit the foodbank’s website.