Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Honored

The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank was recently honored as the top food bank in the U.S. for its work in feeding the hungry. BRAFB received the "2009 Feeding America Member of the Year" award at the Feeding America Annual Conference last week. The award is based on going above and beyond the core mission of food banks - last year BRAFB distributed 10.8 million lbs. of food, a 24% increase in just one year. The "Kids Cafe" and the "BackPack" programs are great example of their outreach. The award is quite an honor considering there are over 200 food banks in the country. Read more about the award and the work of the BRAFB.

Given the yesterday's vote in which GOP legislators killed expanded unemployment benefits, the work of Virginia food banks and food pantries is more important than ever. You can help the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank or a local food pantry (such as the Verona Community Food Pantry, PO Box 187, Verona VA 24482) by making a tax-deductible donation.

Talking Turkey

Thanksgiving Week. A time for family, food, and football. We are planning a big spread with grilled/smoked turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing, corn puddin' and limas (aka succotash), and much more. The kids will be home. The wood stove warm. The food and fellowship great.

Thanksgiving.

Thanks. Giving.

While we pause to give THANKS, may you also think about GIVING to those who have lost a job, or been set back by illness, accident, or other misfortune. Your table, like mine, may be overflowing with the abundance of our great country, but that won't be true for some families and many children.

Please consider making a personal or a group donation to a community food pantry, such as the Verona Community Food Pantry (PO Box 187, Verona, VA 24482) that is serving nearly 2000 families in Augusta Co., Staunton, and Waynesboro. A little inquiry should yield names of several in your area. Or, make a donation of money or canned goods to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank that assists those pantries in the Shenandoah Valley and Central Virginia. Support food drives at grocery stores, restaurants, and community organizations.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving. After saying thanks, please remember the Giving.