ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - Hunger is an issue thousands of families in Southwest Virginia continue to battle. In all, Feeding America Southwest Virginia (FASWVA) serves more than 127,000 people per month.
With more than 400 partner agencies, all donations FASWVA receives stay local and are distributed to area food pantries, churches and soup kitchens.
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The 82nd Airborne Christian Soldiers food pantry in Roanoke is one of the benefiting organizations. They provide boxes of food to more than 100 people each day. Many of those who receive the boxes are veterans, elderly and low-income families. For many, the groceries are the only meals they get each week.
Supervisor Evelyn Vest says people from all walks of life go to the pantry for a variety of reasons.
"We are getting more and more new people all of the time. Today I saw at least three or four people come in for the first time," Vest said.
Although the the 82nd Airborne Christian food pantry feeds more than 500 people each week, it's only one of more than 400 pantries across Southwest Virginia who see the same numbers. The need continues to grow.
If you'd like to donate food to Feeding America Southwest Virginia, visit one of the 10Cares food drive locations on Thursday, February 4th from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. For more information, click here.Â