VERONA, Va. (WHSV) – Thanks to inflation, grocery prices are on the rise, leading more families to rely on free or reduced school lunches to feed their children. During long weekends and breaks from school, families are left to fend for themselves, but the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank’s ‘Break Box’ program seeks to fill those gaps.
The ‘Break Box’ program makes sure families have enough to eat during long breaks from school, distributing boxes of food to those in need. Each box has enough food for about 12 meals per family.
From fruits to grains, proteins and vegetables, the boxes encompass a variety of food groups. This week, volunteers from the Mary Baldwin University volleyball team helped pack boxes, which the food bank will distribute ahead of spring break.
“This is a relatively new program. We’ve got about 5,000 or so of these break boxes that’ll be going out to select schools, food pantries and programs. That’s how we’ll distribute it,” Blue Ridge Area Food Bank PR Specialist Les Sinclair said. “It’s part of our strategic program to eliminate disparity, so we’re meeting the kids where they’re at.”
Sinclair said the boxes will go to families across the commonwealth, from Northern Virginia to Southwest Virginia. He commended the volunteers for their hard work packing boxes.
“We could not do what we do without volunteers. They package these things together,” Sinclair said. “This is all going to be distributed throughout our community and really make it a better community, one that has food for everyone.”
Members of the MBU volleyball team were grateful for the opportunity to volunteer, including Brooklynn Prince.
“I felt that this was bigger than me, and it felt great to know that I was contributing to not just my community, but to people who are in need,” Prince said.
As inflation widens the wealth gap, Sinclair said the food bank is seeing a higher number of guests.
“When they come to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank or one of our partner pantries, they’re not taking from someone else,” Sinclair said. “So, if you need food, find food in our community and you can do that through our website.”
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