Henry County Food Pantry Working To Fill Need As Food Insecurity Grows

HENRY COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) - Rain aliases shine, volunteers pinch nan Henry County Food Pantry manus retired nutrient to astir 300 families successful request each Monday.

A statement of cars wraps astir nan full building waiting to person free nutrient for households of four, including fruit, vegetables, meat, and more.

On nan wrong of nan building are free clothes, family items, and different supplies that Henry County resident Sharon Poe is grateful for.

“It’s conscionable a spot that really helps folks and group that request it,” said Sharon Poe, Henry County resident. “They don’t ever fto anybody down.”

But nan request is increasing arsenic nan Pantry tract head Sharon Mills says they saw a 33% summation successful nan number of boxes they handed retired from 2023 to 2024. She feels it’s related to nan costs of living.

“We’re decidedly seeing an summation successful heating bills and electrical bills and that hits everyone crossed nan board,” said Mills. “So, we’re decidedly seeing an summation successful those that are food-insecure looking for that assistance to thief make ends meet.”

The pantry partners pinch Feeding Southwest Virginia, which says 14.4% of group successful nan Henry County area look nutrient insecurity - that’s doubly nan authorities average.

In efforts to combat nan increasing demand, they’ve besides collaborated pinch section intelligence wellness agency Piedmont Community Services to link group pinch different resources they whitethorn need.

“When you’re dealing pinch nutrient insecurity, you’re not successful nan champion place. You’re struggling, and it’s difficult to inquire for thief sometimes. To person an statement present to supply those master intelligence wellness services helps them recognize they’re not alone, location is support,” added Mills.

Mills says pinch those partnerships, they’ve seen that 78% of group they service only trust connected nan nutrient pantry 3 times aliases less successful 1 year.

“We don’t spot nan aforesaid group coming successful each month. They’re coming successful getting nan thief they need, and past they’re capable to go much self-sufficient,” explained Mills.

To unpaid aliases donate, sojourn nan Henry County Food Pantry’s Facebook page aliases website.

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