HAMPTON, Va. — It's not uncommon for food supplies to go down during the summer at food banks across the nation, but by fall, donations usually rebound in time for the holidays.
That could not be further from the case at the Virginia Peninsula Food Bank.
"This is the worst I've seen probably in my 20 years of food banking," said Karen Joyner, CEO of Virginia Peninsula Food Bank.
The shelves are almost completely empty in certain sections of the facility. Now, volunteers are sounding the alarm; holiday preparations have already begun, and supplies are incredibly limited.
According to Joyner, community donations only amount to a small fraction of what the food bank currently needs. She said most donations either come from the government or come directly out of the food bank's funds.
"We're having to buy meat because we're not getting meat donated, we're having to get shelf stable items like canned goods, the rice, the cereal, all of those types of things because we're just not getting enough donated," said Joyner.
Virginia Peninsula Food Bank has spent more than $2 million to keep their shelves stocked this year alone.
The problem is also aggravated by rising inflation, the end of snap benefits in March and a potential government shutdown.
If this happens, Joyner said their situation could become truly dire.
"We've prepared as best we can, but it will impact millions of people," said Joyner. "If we don't have to use those supplies than the rest can be put to the need around the holidays."
Joyner said the next three weeks will be critical to get enough donations and volunteers to make sure no one goes hungry in Hampton Roads.
Organizers have already planned the 27th Annual Mayflower Marathon Food Drive to help alleviate some of the critical need.
It is scheduled for November 17-19, and will take place at two different locations: the Kroger on Mercury Boulevard in Hampton, and the Kroger on Victory Boulevard in Yorktown.
You can find more information here.