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Friend–
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have heard from countless folks asking how they can give back to our community during this time of need. I know that throughout these difficult times, people are looking for innovative ways to volunteer and I want to continue to help connect you with those opportunities. Specifically, I want to highlight the work done by the American Red Cross and our outstanding area food banks.
Additionally, I have provided information on actions taken at the federal level to help people across the nation during one of the most difficult years in living memory.
Please, if you or your family need assistance during these times, my office is standing by to help. Click here for assistance now.
Sincerely
Rob
American Red Cross
One way you can get involved is, if you are eligible, donating blood to The American Red Cross. The American Red Cross is closely monitoring the outbreak of COVID-19 and is working constantly to carry out their lifesaving mission as well as supporting public health agencies to help communities prepare.
Their need for volunteers is constant and continues to evolve as we, as a nation, navigate this health crisis. Volunteer opportunities include supporting blood donations and delivering much-needed services to your community. They even have a wide variety of remote (work-from-home) opportunities available. The American Red Cross has an ongoing, critical need for blood and platelet donations amidst coronavirus uncertainties. You can make an appointment to give blood or platelets here: https://www.redcrossblood.org
Food Banks in our Region
Many people both in our region and across the nation are struggling with food security during these times. Volunteering with or donating food to area food banks is a great way to help people in our region remain fed and healthy as we move through the winter months.
Serving folks in the central Virginia area, Feed More solicits, stores, and distributes large donations of food to organizations that feed hungry people. Their agencies are comprised of area non-profits to include soup kitchens, food pantries, care centers and meal programs. Feed More has a variety of opportunities available for folks who’d like to get involved. From sorting perishable and nonperishable donations to preparing and packaging food to delivering Meals on Wheels, there is something for just about everyone at Feed More. Click here to learn how you can volunteer today, https://feedmore.org/volunteer/, and click here to learn how you can give food to help their efforts, https://feedmore.org/give/.
In the Fredericksburg area, the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank (FRFB) is committed to feed the hungry through a community-wide network of partner agencies and engage our community in the fight to end hunger. In this era of social distancing, the FRFB is hosting virtual food drives through their website. More information on their virtual drives here: https://fredfood.fenly.org/drives/. If you are interested in donating your time through volunteer work, click here for ways you can get involved: https://www.fredfood.org/volunteer.
They are limiting the total number of volunteers in their building at any given time. It is important to sign up on the website in advance to ensure there will be a project for you upon arrival. (Walk-In volunteers may be asked to return at another time if the maximum number of volunteers has been met.) If you’re healthy and willing to volunteer, signup today.
Healthy Harvest Food Bank serves the Northern Neck and Upper Middle Peninsula. The mission of HHFB is to provide healthy, nutritious foods for those in need in the communities they serve. Over 95% of their operations go directly towards effort to feed those in need locally. For more information on how you can give back and get involved, click here for more from HHFB: https://www.hhfb.org/volunteer-opportunities/.
In addition, check out other local food banks here:
Federal actions to address food insecurity
Throughout this year, I worked towards the extension of several flexibilities regarding USDA’s Summer Food Service Programs (SFSP) and the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) through the end of next Summer. These flexibilities would allow summer meal program operators to continue to serve free meals to the children of our region into the fall and winter months during the ongoing COVID-19 recoveryprocess. Following my request, the USDA announced they would extend these programs through June 30th, 2021 to help all students and families in our nation throughout these difficult times and beyond.
Congressional Response to Food Insecurity
- Families First Coronavirus Relief Act – expanded SNAP benefits and gave USDA added flexibility to administer food programs
- CARES Act – provided $8.8 billion in emergency funds for child nutrition programs, including the critical summer meals programs; also provided additional deductions for charitable contributions
- In a Continuing Resolution from September to keep our government operational, an additional $8 billion in nutrition assistance was included to ensure Americans struggling most are still provided for during these critical times
Federal Agency Response to Food Insecurity – US Department of Agriculture
The USDA is maximizing all program flexibilities and contingencies available under the law and is working closely with states to best serve children and low-income individuals impacted by COVID-19 across their 15 nutrition assistance programs. USDA has been receiving and reviewing requests from states, including Virginia, for flexibilities on a continual basis and has approved numerous extensions and flexibilities to meet food needs. For example, USDA waived congregate feeding rules, nutritional requirements, and area eligibility rules for open sites—enabling sites in any area to serve free meals.
More information: Virginia: COVID-19 Waivers & Flexibilities | USDA-FNS
USDA is focused on ensuring America's families are safe, secure, and healthy during this national emergency. They are working with state and local partners across all of their nutrition programs by:
Approving more than 4,000 flexibilities and program adjustments to ease operations and protect the health of applicants and participants.
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