How a grocer keeps us moving

Partnership Keeps Us Rolling Around Town

Kroger Grant Provides Additional Vans

As 2020 began, our Food for Thought backpack food program was providing weekend food bags to nearly 1100 students, with the help of many dedicated volunteers and drivers. Almost all of the bags went through the Lynchburg city schools. Then came COVID. We had to find new ways to meet the need.

We had just received a grant from Kroger to purchase a "gently used" van, but with the unusual circumstances this year, they graciously provided funds for another one. We targeted specific sites where food-insecure children lived, and can now go to more places than just the five secondary school drop-off sites. We're organizing community collaborations to make more deliveries (and need more drivers!). With these colorful vans we're instantly recognized when we arrive at 17 apartment complexes and community centers, plus additional locations in Bedford and Campbell counties.

The coronavirus made us take a detour, but with Kroger's contribution, we're finding new roads, to make sure that more food is reaching the students who need it.

From left, Paul Wigand, Kroger Mid-Atlantic Division District 1 Manager (and Park View Board Member) and Allison McGee, Kroger Mid-Atlantic Division Corporate Affairs Manager share a symbolic check for $39,000 with Park View Executive Director Gordy Harper and Food for Thought Program Director Julie Farley.

A Personal Story: Her Motivation to Serve Others

Sonia Smith and her husband Mark first came to Food for Families as part of a Sunday School class volunteer project three months ago. They've been returning twice a week ever since, partly because Sonia says it's in their DNA. She was a nurse, he was in law enforcement, and all their children have similar careers in caring for others.

But the real reason is that this program has a special place in her heart. "I know what it's like to have grown up not knowing when we would eat." Having an abusive step-father meant that the home was not always a safe place. Her mother endured a lot while raising children and not being able to work because she didn't speak English.

"I know how important even a little food can be, and the special joy we all felt when we could have a nice meal," Sonia said. "My mother also taught me that dignity is the most important thing to hold onto. Asking for help is more difficult than people realize, but sometimes what you have in the kitchen just doesn't go far enough."

Sonia and Mark see the results of their work at Park View. Through the lens of her own experience, Sonia also sees that the respect Park View volunteers show to our neighbors makes a more valuable impression on them than even the food itself.

Would you or your group consider volunteering? To learn more,

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Be Tax-wise:

Appreciated Stock, CARES Act bonus

Thanks to a strong market, now is an ideal time to consider a gift of securities. You not only receive a current income tax deduction for the full market value, you'll also avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation.

Every taxpayer can receive a one-time bonus for gifts postmarked by December 31, thanks to the CARES Act. All charitable contributions up to $300 are now 100% deductible, with additional benefits for larger amounts (and only for the 2020 tax year). Click here for an overview, and consider professional tax advice for details.

Thank you for your support, especially in this most difficult year!