Food insecurity continues to affect thousands across Southwest Virginia. On Thursday, dozens of food pantries and partner agencies gathered at the Feeding Southwest Virginia Agency Conference in Salem to discuss strategies and resources. Especially as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP) benefits remain uncertain, and more families turn to food banks.

Southwest Virginia food banks are preparing for a potential surge in demand as SNAP benefits, formerly known as food stamps, could run out by November due to the ongoing government shutdown, according to local food assistance leaders.

Feeding Southwest Virginia shared the results of their food insecurity study Wednesday.

The U.S. Postal Service is taking on a bit more than just delivering mail.

LewisGale awarded $20,000 and almost 1,000 pounds of canned goods to the non-profit, Feeding Southwest Virginia.

Smithfield Foods is working to fight hunger ahead of the Commonwealth Clash.

The mast general store in Roanoke is donating 15 dollars for every Merrell shoe purchased to feeding southwest Virginia.

Feeding Southwest Virginia is asking for your support in reaching their donation goal.

On Friday, Feeding Southwest Virginia received a massive donation of 30,000 pounds of protein from Smithfield Foods.

A new study shows hunger in Virginia has increased over 50% from 2021.

Food donation centers have also been hit hard by the Jif peanut butter recall.

The rising prices have taken a toll on Feeding Southwest Virginia, but The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is working to help keep families fed.

Hokies are helping the hungry through “Touchdowns for Turkeys.”

Inflation seems to be affecting everything from gas to the cost of groceries, but it’s also affecting local area food banks like Feeding Southwest Virginia and the United Way of Central Virginia.

Though her mission at times has felt impossible, Irvine has fed hungry people for 40 years.

A church parking lot turned into a grocery store on Wednesday, as the work to feed those in need goes mobile.

Feeding Southwest Virginia has been a lifeline to many, especially this past year with the pandemic. Feeding Southwest Virginia president Pamela Irvine said it’s hard to believe they’ve been at it for 40 years. It’s hard to pick one defining moment, but when things go south Feeding Southwest Virginia is always there to help make sure no one goes hungry. Show creator Michael Hemphill made the request to light the tower and said featuring Feeding Southwest Virginia in the show is a no-brainer. While Irvine can’t predict the future, she does know Feeding Southwest Virginia will continue to be needed.

ROANOKE, Va. – The clock is ticking on the biggest day of giving in the Roanoke Valley. Wednesday is Roanoke Valley Gives Day, supporting more than 140 local non-profits. AdIt’s a similar storyline for many of the non-profits participating in Roanoke Valley Gives Day, especially those trying to serve an increased need. Feeding Southwest Virginia has been a lifeline for more people than ever over the past year. AdThe goal for Roanoke Valley Gives Day is to raise $900,000.

ROANOKE, Va. – Hundreds of kids in the Roanoke Valley will go to bed with full stomachs Tuesday. FarmBurguesa and Feeding Southwest Virginia handed out burgers, turkeys and groceries to 250 kids today at the Community Solutions Center on Melrose Avenue. Feeding Southwest Virginia CEO Pamela Irvine said the coronavirus pandemic has made people more generous than ever before. “We’ve seen that generosity increase because people relate to the fact that I may not have something to eat today, whether I can afford to buy it and it’s not available or I can not afford to buy it and I just have no other resources,” explained Irvine. The center typically provides food for kids on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

CHRISTIANSBURG, Va – In a year where record-breaking unemployment has caused increased food insecurity in the United States, food banks have been working to meet the demand. On Friday, Feeding Southwest Virginia provided hundreds of people with food before the holidays at Belmont Christian Church in Christiansburg“Our tractor-trailer carries around 20,000 pounds of food, so we usually prepare for anywhere between 300-900 boxes to distribute,” said Feeding Southwest Virginia President Pamela Irvine. Friday Feeding Southwest Virginia held a food distribution at Belmont Christian Church in Christiansburg to provide hundreds of people with food before the holidays. About 40% of Feeding Southwest Virginia’s budget is from the government and the possibility of funding soon running out is on the minds of many. The next food distribution event will be in Martinsville on December 29.

CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. – Thanksgiving is a time to give back and local nonprofits are working hard to make sure no family goes hungry. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the nonprofit had to make some changes to its Thanksgiving meal box program. They’re holding more pop-up food distributions and moving a lot more food. “We’ve been distributing around anywhere between 20 and 30 some percent more food, and particularly the government food,” said Irvine. “Whether or not they are this year, I hope that they still do.”To donate or learn more about the United Way’s Thanksgiving meal box program, click here.

SALEM, Va. – A generous donation given on Thursday will help give over 100,000 meals to people in need across Southwest Virginia. Feeding Southwest Virginia received a donation of 20,000 pounds of food from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which marks the third donation from the church this year alone. From this year’s donations, the organization can create 150,000 meals with completely non-perishable foods. According to Feeding Southwest’s CEO, the non-profit is able to use the food to target areas where more than 10% of people are unemployed. So far this year, Feeding Southwest has done 16 pop-up distribution centers this year.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – Rain or shine, a local nonprofit and a group of volunteers' were determined to help feed hungry families on Friday in Roanoke. Feeding Southwest Virginia hosted a drive-by food pantry distribution in Roanoke County thanks to a $22,000 grant from Wells Fargo. Hundreds of people, including Maurice Stimeson, waited in line to get boxes of fresh produce, emergency meals and non-perishable food staples. “A box of food and fresh fruits and vegetables always brings a smile," said Irvine. There will be another drive-by food pantry on Friday, Oct. 2.

ROANOKE, Va. – Feeding Southwest Virginia hosted a kid’s farmers market to teach kids about healthy food and budgeting. Feeding Southwest Virginia is holding no-contact kids' farmer's markets during COVID-19 to put fresh produce in the hands of local children in need. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year things are a little different: the farmers market is no-contact. “It’s great to provide joy in times like this where people are struggling so much,” said Pamela Irvine, the president of Feeding Southwest Virginia. “It’s just good to have a little bit of fun with children and use food as an opportunity to do that.”To learn about future kid’s farmer’s markets, visit Feeding Southwest Virginia’s Facebook page.

ROANOKE, Va. – Feeding Southwest Virginia needs at least a dozen people to help assemble hundreds of food boxes for families in need. A volunteer works at the Feeding Southwest Virginia Salem Distribution Center. Feeding Southwest Virginia said that it’s getting more and more donations, but with summer on the way, the need for food will only go up. It makes such a difference,” said Pamela Irvine, the president and CEO of Feeding Southwest Virginia. To learn about volunteer opportunities with Feeding Southwest Virginia, click here.

Food banks have been on the front lines of the economic fallout, making sure families have enough to eat. On Thursday, donations from 10 News viewers to Food for Frontline fed dozens of staff and volunteers at Feeding Southwest Virginia. “Food by truck, food by trunk, food by gift cards and food by meals delivered,” said Irvine. Food for Frontline donations picked up the tab on nearly 60 lunches delivered from Canale’s Ham and BBQ. With sales down 40%, the Food for Frontline effort to support restaurants and essential workers has been helpful.

SALEM, Va. – It’s not unusual for things to be slow this time of year at Feeding Southwest Virginia. “Moving into February, we’re not seeing the increase in volunteers we normally see and we need volunteers desperately," president and CEO Pamela Irvine said. Both Irvine and van Guilder look at the warehouse full of boxes and worry about the people who are not receiving it. But van Guilder says it’s easily doable – if they get some help. If you would like to volunteer, contact Feeding Southwest Virginia (Formerly Feeding America Southwest Virginia) at (540) 342-3011.

ROANOKE, Va.- - Food Lion is working to fight hunger with a new initiative. On Wednesday, the grocery chain announced a goal to provide 1 billion meals to the Roanoke Valley community by 2025. It give us hope but it gives the partnering programs that feed people hope and it certainly gives individuals families hope," said Pamela Irvine, president and CEO of Feeding America Southwest Virginia. Food Lion feeds has already donated 500 million meals to families in need in the Star City and across 10 states. Organizers say their efforts are all about fighting food insecurity by providing good, nutritious options.