Aila Boyd
aboyd@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Feeding Southwest Virginia held an event on Friday, Sept. 13 at its 1025 Electric Road location in Salem to bring together local elected officials and community partners to celebrate the renovation of its Salem distribution site. As part of the event, elected officials volunteered at the center. Among those present was Rep. Morgan Griffith, who represents Virginia’s 9th Congressional District.
The Feeding Southwest Virginia ribbon cutting event celebrated building updates, that had long been neglected, thanks to infrastructure funding provided over the past few years. Everything from a remodel of the administration offices in Salem to new dock doors and new reach lifts, was celebrated.
The renovation project included remodeling of the front offices and volunteer office area, replacement of overhead dock doors, replacement of hi-speed overhead refrigeration doors, a new 26-foot refrigerated delivery truck, new program delivery truck, new warehouse reach lift, Kenworth “Over the Road” tractor and the installation of a thermal break in freezer.
The organization moved into its Electric Roadbuilding in 2004. Aside from some painting done by volunteers, no other updates had been made. “We had old shaggy carpet, dim or non-existent lighting and very old warehouse functions. Thanks to unique pandemic funding, we were able to spruce up the place with paint and carpet and most importantly, update the warehouse to greatly improve operations,” Lisa Claytor, chief development officer, said. “Thankfully, funding was also available for food purchases (over $2 million) that is not present currently. The Food Bank is busy seeking donations to make up for this much-needed funding for food purchases.”
Amanda Livingston, executive director of the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce, described the renovation as being “beautiful.”
“This incredible organization, that sits right in our backyard, serves counties all across our region. It’s daunting to know that one in every five children in Virginia is food insecure. It’s uplifting to know that Feeding Southwest Virginia is working so hard to eradicate this problem,” Livingston said. “Feeding Southwest Virginia does an incredible job of engaging the community to assist them in reaching their goals.”
September is Hunger Action Month when the Feeding America Network launches a national public awareness campaign to shine a light on the problem that every community in America experiences hunger. In Southwest Virginia, one in seven individuals will experience food insecurity and one in five children will suffer from hunger.
For Feeding Southwest Virginia Food Bank, communication with elected officials is very important at this time as Congress will address the Farm Bill this year. The Farm Bill is at the heart of the mission of the Food Bank. The organization is asking Congress to double TEFAP funding and to increase other means of support to end hunger. The programs authorized by the Farm Bill help to bridge the gap for children, families and seniors facing food insecurity in SW Virginia.
