Renewal by Andersen of Roanoke Volunteers with Feeding Southwest Virginia
This July, Renewal by Andersen of Central Virginia partnered with Feeding Southwest Virginia to pack boxes of nutritious food to be distributed to those in need.
Feeding Southwest Virginia’s reach spans across 26 counties and nine cities, where they distribute nearly 19 million pounds of food annually. In parts of the region, the food insecurity rate is nearly twice Virginia’s average, making food banks a vital resource in those communities.
“As our company has expanded into the greater Roanoke area, we have looked for opportunities to work with non-profit organizations that are making a meaningful impact in that region. Feeding Southwest Virginia is doing great work, and we are proud to support them in their mission,” said Renewal by Andersen of Roanoke CEO Page Ewell.
The Need for Food Assistance in Southwest Virginia
Identifying specific needs is a crucial part of serving the community. When discussing volunteer opportunities, Feeding Southwest Virginia’s Director of Volunteer Services, Randy Holden, emphasized a particularly vulnerable population: senior citizens.
“Seniors, especially those on a fixed income, are vulnerable to food shortages near the end of the month,” shared Randy.
Supporting Seniors Through Monthly Box Kitting
To combat this insecurity, Feeding Southwest Virginia hosts a “Senior Box Kitting” on the third Thursday of each month.
During this event, volunteers pack an average of nearly 2,000 boxes with nutritious food to be distributed to seniors throughout the region.
After taking part in this month’s Senior Box Kitting, volunteers from Renewal by Andersen of Roanoke felt the importance of Feeding Southwest Virginia’s mission and were proud to be part of it.
“The shift was awesome,” People Operations Generalist Vanessa Rodriguez said, after travelling from Richmond to Salem to volunteer. “I would love to be part of another opportunity like this one!”
