How Do You Feed Seventy Families Each Night in Lynchburg?

Have you ever considered the plan of supplying daily meals for more than seventy families needing food assistance in Lynchburg? Have you ever pondered the underlying factors that lead to the necessity of feeding such a sizable number of local families?

Food Insecurity, as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture, occurs when households lack consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members. This issue affects communities nationwide and Lynchburg is no exception, as The Salvation Army of Lynchburg Center of Hope reports that over seventy families (and increasing) take part in their nightly community feeding.

In Lynchburg, the impact of food insecurity is particularly pronounced among children. Feeding America estimates that in 2021, over 2,500 children in Lynchburg lived in households facing food insecurity, contributing to a child food insecurity rate of 16.7%, nearly four points higher than the national average. Access to a consistent food supply not only influences cognitive abilities, overall health, and moods but also plays a role in attention spans, highlighting the multifaceted impact of this challenge.

At the heart of this issue is Greater Lynchburg’s poverty level that surpasses both national and state averages, exacerbating the issue of food insecurity for local families.

The issue is creating compounding challenges for The Center as an increasing number of families are seeking help from The Salvation Army. The increase has strained the Center’s program which resulted in an increase for both volunteers and donations.

As inflation persists, more individuals and families in Lynchburg are turning to organizations like The Salvation Army Community Feeding program. However, the surge in demand makes it increasingly difficult to meet the needs of the community.

A slight relief may be in sight for the current high price of food. An early forecast from the U.S. Department of Agriculture suggests that grocery prices might begin to decline in 2024 or, at the very least, cease their rapid ascent.

This projection offers a glimmer of hope for consumers and organizations saddled by inflation, particularly in the aftermath of a significant two year increase at the grocery store—the largest annual surge in 40 years.

Major Caleb Prieto from The Salvation Army of Lynchburg notes that in addition to the average of seventy families nightly the program currently serves over 35,000 meals annually to those needing food assistance. Recent numbers show that the trend is increasing.

To sustain this vital program, The Salvation Army relies heavily on donor contributions. An impressive eighty-seven cents of every dollar raised directly funds their charitable services, and all money donated in Lynchburg stays within the community to support local programs.

In addition to financial support, donations of food play a crucial role in sustaining the program. The Salvation Army’s Center of Hope actively seeks items such as breakfast items, canned goods, meats, drinks, paper products, and other food items. With an industrial kitchen and large freezers, the Center is well-equipped to manage community donations.

The Center also seeks volunteers by supplying a vehicle and gas to collect food from local businesses, such as Chick-Fil-A, Starbucks, and Chipotle, and deliver them to the Center of Hope at 2215 Park Ave in Lynchburg. To volunteer for this, please call (434) 941-3858.

Additionally, if you or your group would like to volunteer in The Salvation Army kitchen, they welcome your help, and you can reach them at (434) 845-5939.

How do you feed seventy families each night in Lynchburg? Please volunteer or donate by clicking here.