“There is a very real need out there,” says Feed More’s Rodrigo Arriaza about the rising number of families seeking food assistance in Central Virginia.
Feed More collects, prepares, and distributes food to neighbors in need. Their programs and distribution network are dedicated to providing nourishment to neighbors facing hunger.
Henrico County is currently at 11.5% when it comes to food insecurity. That’s up from 8% in 2023/24, and rising. “We’re working back to that pandemic level high in terms of requests across our service area,” Arriaza says. He also says neighbors are citing the rising cost of groceries as a leading economic stressor, and that they are seeing families who have not had to seek food assistance in the past.
As costs continue to rise, and with holidays approaching, more families will be seeking assistance.
Feed More offers many programs to help neighbors in need. These include: Meals on Wheels, mobile pantry distributions, weekend backpacks – packed with food to send home with children who get free or reduced lunch – and “Feed More Freddie,” a school bus that has been retrofitted as a shopping experience for kids. The bus drives to communities in need and allows children to shop. “We find that kids actually do gravitate to the fresh foods naturally. Things like cucumbers, grapes, apples, oranges, things like that,” Ariazza says.
But he says community support is what really matters because without it, none of this could be done. “Community support is the backbone of what we do here. Every dollar we receive enables us to distribute four meals through our relationship with wholesale food manufacturers and distributors.”
If you are in a position to give food, funds, or time, here are the ways to help:
Organize a food drive at your schools, church, or in your neighborhood.
Donate money to Feed More to fund the programs they provide to neighbors in need.
Volunteer your time. None of this can happen without the help of volunteers (they use hundreds a day!).
“Again, there is a very real need out there,” Ariazza says, for “any action folks can take, whether it’s big or small. Every action makes a real difference in the lives of neighbors in need.”
Take Action
- If you’re in a position to donate, Feed More accepts money and food donations. The list of items is at feedmore.org. You can also organize a food drive, or volunteer your time! Every little bit matters!
