Extra SNAP benefits set to expire, Feeding Southwest Virginia receives major donation

SALEM, Va. – On Friday, Feeding Southwest Virginia obtained a large donation of 30,000 kilos of protein from Smithfield Meals.

As a part of the Commonwealth Conflict rivalry video games between the College of Virginia and Virginia Tech, the 2 colleges put apart their variations to work with Smithfield to assist their hometowns.

Virginia Tech legend Bud Foster stated it’s an honor.

“For these two universities to come back collectively for a much bigger trigger to assist the individuals and meals insecurities, I feel, makes a big-time assertion,” stated Foster.

This donation comes as households throughout Virginia are set to lose further meals advantages given out in the course of the pandemic. Beginning March 1, these further SNAP advantages will expire. Meaning individuals may have at the least $95 much less a month to purchase meals.

“A whole lot of these households don’t have a number of alternatives for added funds,” stated Pamela Irvine, president and CEO of Feeding Southwest Virginia.

Irvine stated the change can be particularly powerful on these with mounted incomes, like seniors.

“We’re attempting to organize to fulfill that want,” stated Irvine. “So that is very difficult proper now.”

This a part of the Commonwealth already has a better want for meals. About 7.7% of Virginians are meals insecure. In Southwest Virginia, over 19% of households are meals insecure in 4 counties the meals financial institution serves.

Although it’s not simply households who’re struggling, donations to Feeding Southwest Virginia are down 16%. This time final 12 months, the warehouse was full. Now, it’s crammed with empty cabinets.

“Identical to a number of our neighbors struggling to seek out meals, we’re struggling to seek out meals as properly,” stated Irvine. “So this donation is crucial.”

The meals financial institution provides over 300 native meals pantries and applications. With uncertainty forward, Irvine stated they’re turning to the neighborhood.

“My plea to the neighborhood is that this: everybody might help,” stated Irvine.