Henry County Food Pantry working to fill need as food insecurity grows

HENRY COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) – Rain or shine, volunteers with the Henry County Food Pantry hand out food to around 300 families in need every Monday.

A line of cars wraps around the entire building waiting to receive free food for households of four, including fruit, vegetables, meat, and more.

On the inside of the building are free clothes, household items, and other supplies that Henry County resident Sharon Poe is grateful for.

“It’s just a place that really helps folks and people that need it,” said Sharon Poe, Henry County resident. “They don’t ever let anybody down.”

But the need is growing as the pantry site director Sharon Mills says they saw a 33% increase in the number of boxes they handed out from 2023 to 2024. She feels it’s related to the cost of living.

“We’re definitely seeing an increase in heating bills and electric bills and that hits everyone across the board,” said Mills. “So, we’re definitely seeing an increase in those that are food-insecure looking for that assistance to help make ends meet.”

The pantry partners with Feeding Southwest Virginia, which says 14.4% of people in the Henry County area face food insecurity – that’s twice the state average.

In efforts to combat the growing demand, they’ve also partnered with local mental health agency Piedmont Community Services to connect people with other resources they may need.

“When you’re dealing with food insecurity, you’re not in the best place. You’re struggling, and it’s difficult to ask for help sometimes. To have an organization here to provide those professional mental health services helps them realize they’re not alone, there is support,” added Mills.

Mills says with those partnerships, they’ve seen that 78% of people they serve only rely on the food pantry three times or fewer in one year.

“We don’t see the same people coming in every month. They’re coming in getting the help they need, and then they’re able to become more self-sufficient,” explained Mills.

To volunteer or donate, visit the Henry County Food Pantry’s Facebook page or website.

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