[Contact: Sarah Steely at 570-854-5023 or ssteely@strength.org]
Richmond, Virginia (Dec. 16, 2020) – As 2020 draws to a close, No Kid Hungry announced a total of $2.4 million in grants this year to 68 schools and community organizations across the state that are providing free meals for kids during the ongoing pandemic. The investment comes as part of No Kid Hungry’s continuing effort to ensure all children in Virginia remain nourished and healthy.
Across America, families are facing unprecedented levels of food insecurity as the coronavirus has led to lost jobs and wages. No Kid Hungry Virginia estimates one in five children in the commonwealth could face hunger this year up from one in eight prior to the pandemic.
“As families in Virginia bravely navigate this health and economic crisis, schools and community organizations stepped up in every county and city to provide nourishment and support, all while risking their own well-being and safety,” said Sarah Steely, associate director of No Kid Hungry Virginia. “As the hunger crisis continues to intensify at unprecedented levels, school meals are more critical than ever in the lives of students and families. We are thankful for the compassionate food service professionals that work tirelessly to feed the kids in their communities. We see you and we applaud you.”
These grants from No Kid Hungry help school districts and community organizations with the added staffing and equipment costs required to expand and adapt their programs to meet increased need and operate safely during the pandemic. Since March, No Kid Hungry has granted to the following schools and nonprofits:
- Accomack County Public Schools
- Amelia County Public Schools
- Augusta County: Blue Ridge Area Food Bank
- Bland County Public Schools
- Botetourt County Public Schools
- Capital Area Food Bank
- Caroline County Public Schools
- Charlottesville City: PB&J Fund Inc.
- Chesapeake City Public Schools
- Cumberland County Public Schools
- Danville City Public Schools
- Dickenson County Public Schools
- Essex County Public Schools
- Fairfax County Public Schools
- Fairfax County: Dar Al-Hijrah
- Fairfax County: Medical Care for Children Partnership Foundation
- Falls Church City: INOVA Healthcare Services
- Fauquier County Public Schools
- Fauquier FISH
- Fredericksburg City Public Schools
- Galax City Public Schools
- Giles County Public Schools
- Goochland County Public Schools
- Greene County Public Schools
- Greensville County Public Schools
- Halifax County Public Schools
- Hampton City Public Schools
- Hampton City: Virginia Peninsula Food Bank
- Henrico County Public Schools
- Henry County Public Schools
- Hopewell City Public Schools
- Hopewell City: Smart Beginnings Southeast
- King and Queen County Public Schools
- King William County Public Schools
- Loudoun County Public Schools
- Louisa County Public Schools
- Lynchburg City Public Schools
- Martinsville City Public Schools
- Martinsville City: Community Storehouse
- Montgomery County Public Schools
- Montgomery County: YMCA at Virginia Tech
- New Kent County: Quin Rivers Inc.
- Newport News Public Schools
- Norfolk City Public Schools
- Norfolk City: William A. Hunton YMCA
- Patrick County Public Schools
- Petersburg City Public Schools
- Portsmouth City: Mercy Chefs
- Prince Edward County Schools
- Prince George County Public Schools
- Prince William County Community Foundation, Inc.
- Richmond City Public Schools
- Richmond City: FeedMore Inc.
- Rockbridge County Public Schools
- Russell County Public Schools
- Salem City: Feeding Southwest Virginia
- Staunton City Public Schools
- Virginia Beach City Public Schools
- Warren County Public Schools
- Winchester Rescue Mission