Affordable Virginia Donates to Only 24-Hour Pantry for Food Bank Day
Virginia Beach, VA – Today, in honor of National Food Bank Day, Affordable Virginia delivered over $1500 of food to Reset Virginia, the only 24-hour food pantry in Hampton Roads.
This donation comes after Hampton Roads’ own Congresswoman, Jen Kiggans, voted to make cuts to the SNAP program, impacting over 78,000 people in her district who now are at immediate risk of losing SNAP benefits that help their families afford food.
“I have spent years working with the houseless population, and others on the fringe, so I know what hurdles they faced in trying to just get something to eat,” Sabrina Davis, Founder of Reset Inc. “When you’re struggling, you’re also struggling to get to weekly pantries, and you have to get there, and sometimes they might run out of food. Reset operates 24/7 with the help of X volunteers to ensure people have what they need, when they need it, and when they can get here. Since opening, we have seen more and more people show up, and I’m grateful to our partners and volunteers for making this dream a reality. As Congress considers whether or not to restore these cuts in D.C., and we look forward to the holidays, I know our community will step up.”
“When I learned about Reset, I wanted to get involved,” said Michelle Green, volunteer. “I love getting to know the families that come here. I’ve experienced homelessness, and bounced around from family members and friends’ homes, so I relate to the people here. Nurses, mechanics — it’s all kinds of people, and I’ve gotten to know them in just the two months I’ve volunteered here. This is a stop gap for families to get them to the next check. People know they can come here and get help without being judged. It makes a difference and I can’t think of anything better I could do to give back.”
“We were blown away by the operation Ms. Davis has built to meet struggling families where they are,” said Emily Yeatts, Affordable Virginia Campaigns Director. “It’s our hope that Jen Kiggans will take note. Virginia’s families are already struggling in the face of higher prices and stagnant wages. Families in Hampton Roads are especially concerned as they witness friends and neighbors lose what were once thought to be secure jobs or have contracts rescinded. And while families reel, shop owners in food deserts are contending with lost revenue and may stop carrying healthy food or be forced to shutter their doors altogether. SNAP is a lifeline for families in our community, and Jen Kiggans voted to take it away. I can’t think of anything better Affordable Virginia could do to give back.”