Our hastily improvised food drive turned out to be remarkably successful. The neighborhood association typically participates in a food drive around the holidays but this year we decided to push it forward because of the sharp reduction in SNAP benefits that came with the federal government shutdown. Just after beginning our effort to help the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, we were alerted that our neighbors at the Mews were being particularly hard hit by the cuts. So we tried to do two things quickly and at once:
(1) We raised cashing contributions for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank to aid people in our general community. To date, our neighborhood has raised over $800 for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.
(2) But we gave priority to collecting donations of non-perishable food as quickly as possible for our neighbors at the Mews. The amount of non-perishable food donated within just a few days and delivered to residents of the Mews last Monday (11/10) was not adequately documented but included
- More than 100 cans of tuna fish, salmon, and sardines;
- 3 sacks of potatoes, 3 bags of oranges, 2 bags of apples;
- More than 80 cans of various soups and stews;
- 70-80 boxes of Mac & Cheese;
- More than 60 cans of various vegetables;
- More than 60 boxes of ramen (multiple servings per box);
- More than 350 mostly healthy snack bars, including organic fruit roll-ups;
- 8 large jars of pasta sauce;
- 3 boxes of pasta;
- 5 bags of coffee;
- At least a dozen boxes of instant oatmeal (multiple servings per box) and other breakfast items;
- A couple of boxes miscellaneous bathroom and cleaning supplies;
- etc;
If you would like to donate, please send an email to LHNA.cville@gmail.com and we’ll make arrangements to pick up or receive your donation.
