Feeding Southwest Virginia has been awarded an IMPACT Grant from the Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia. The grant is worth $403,000.
The funding will be used to support capital needs and the continued implementation of the Health Pantry Initiative.
HPI is used to transform the region’s food pantries by improving the health and well-being of those the organization serves.
A portion of the grant will support the construction of a new roof on the Food Bank’s Abingdon Distribution Center in Washington County.
The remainder of the funds will be divided between three agency partners that operate within the Foundation’s service area: Roger Jessee Community Food Pantry in Russell County, Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry in Smyth County, and Hands of Grace Food Pantry in Grayson County.
Combined, these agency partners serve an average of 3,000 neighbors every month, and these funds will support the purchase of equipment such as refrigeration, technology supplies, and shelving to enhance their delivery of nutritious foods.
In the last five years, thanks to the support of such generous partners as Wellspring Foundation, Feeding Southwest Virginia has distributed $1.6 million to support approximately 120 agency partners. These pass-through funds help nourish communities by supporting the infrastructure and programming needs of the agencies who partner with Feeding Southwest Virginia.
“We are deeply honored to receive this generous award from the Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia,” said President and CEO of Feeding Southwest Virginia, Pamela Irvine. “Our Food Bank is committed to elevating the experiences of our neighbors living with hunger, and we are profoundly grateful to the Foundation for their investment in this crucial work.”
The Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia’s award will allow Feeding Southwest Virginia to continue their mission of nourishing neighbors in Grayson, Russell, Smyth, and Washington counties.