“Be the change you are waiting to see in the world”. It’s a quote we’ve all heard a thousand times, right? Well Henrico neighbor Sudeshna Das-Menezes took it to heart. “It all started at the kitchen table”, she laughs. Now her idea is serving food to 300 families across Henrico County. Sudeshna is the founder of the Henrico Community Food Bank.
The idea was a grocery delivery service. It helps break down barriers to food access by meeting residents where they are. People don’t need to miss work or find a ride to pick up food. Every day, staff and volunteers deliver fresh produce, dairy, protein, and pantry staples to people in need across the county, “every zip code” Sudeshna says. They deliver to seniors, individuals, and families, and there is no age limit. “If a child is going hungry in school, chances are the entire family needs that assistance”.
The mobile program is extremely successful, but they are limited in terms of gas, drivers, etc., so in August, Sudeshna decided the Henrico Community Food Bank, would start a grocery pickup program to expand reach for those that are able to pick up their food. It operates out of an empty school in the county. She says the need in the community is large. “I’m really glad that we started this program when we did. The holidays are coming up, the cold weather is coming, and those all have implications. Grocery prices continue to rise, housing is in crisis, we have the cuts to SNAP. Clients are talking about how their benefits have been reduced”.
With the need increasing, the Food Bank needs your help. If you have an organization that can host a food drive, or want to collect items yourself, please reach out to Sudeshna at 804-616-8534. Right now, they are having a critical need for boxed cereal, boxed oatmeal pasta and pasta sauce.
If you find yourself in need of this program or know someone who is, call the same number and they will start an intake process. “it’s our neighbors in Henrico, it’s our kids, our seniors, all in Henrico”, Sudeshna says.
Take Action
- Host a food drive, or donate cash to the food bank. There is a critical need for cereal, boxed oatmeal, pasta and pasta sauce.
