Virginia Peninsula Foodbank

Virginia Peninsula Foodbank is one of seven food banks in Virginia and one of 200 Feeding America food banks.

The population targeted by Virginia Peninsula Foodbank is made up of individuals, families, seniors and veterans at risk of losing their food security by nature of the fact that they live at 185% or below the poverty level.  According to the most recent statistics provided by Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap 2022, over 62,000 people in our service area are at risk of food insecurity, (over 23,000 are children) and many from outright hunger, lamentably because of the fact that they live at or below the poverty level. 

One in nine Virginians struggle with not knowing where their next meal is coming from on a given day. The Foodbank in partnership with 140 + partner agencies and the Foodbank's feeding programs have over 350,000 visits each year. These resources provide families with nutritious food to get them through difficult times. 

To help those families who struggle with hunger, the following programs are provided by the Foodbank:

                - USDA/TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program)

                - CSFP (Commodity Supplemental Food Program)

                - Emergency Food Assistance Distribution

                - Food Rescue from Grocery stores and local restaurants

                - Mobile Food Pantry

                 - Nutrition & Food Security Programs:

                 - Nutrition and Self Sufficiency Training Program

                 - Kids Cafe

                 - Food for Kids BackPack Program

                 - Summer Food Service Program

                 - Culinary Training Program

                 - Food Safety Training

                 - Food Can Be Fun For Kids

- Disaster Relief

The vision of the Foodbank of the Virginia Peninsula is to inspire hope by leading the effort for a hunger free and properly nourished community.      

The mission of the Foodbank is to distribute food effectively through collaborative efforts that minimize hunger, promote nutrition and encourage self-reliance through education.                                                                                                                    

Virginia Peninsula Foodbank is the leading non-profit hunger-relief organization, across the Greater Peninsula, which receives and distributes purchased and donated food. For fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, the Foodbank distributed over 10.9 million pounds of food and related products through our network of 140+ partner agencies (food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and faith based organizations.), drive through mobile food distributions, and other feeding programs that target food insecurity in children, seniors, families, and veterans.  In our 38 years of service, we have distributed over 205 million meals thanks to our community.

Virginia Peninsula Foodbank also plays an important and vital role in our community’s emergency response during and after a disaster. When our communities confront unexpected challenges, such as the COVID-19 threat, lives can be disrupted. We coordinate with local governments and other nonprofits and keep our own partner agencies and programs operational when safely possible. We acquire higher quantities of food and will also host additional distributions to get healthy food to all who are facing the fears of food insecurity due to a sudden disruption to their lives and finances.

Our service area encompasses the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, and Williamsburg, and the counties of Gloucester, James City, Mathews, Surry and York . 

Hunger relief is truly a collaborative effort, and with the support of our partner agencies, generous donors, and committed volunteers, we are able to provide nourishment and hope to our neighbors in need each day. Good food today makes for a brighter future tomorrow.