VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - The Virginia Beach Department of Human Services is partnering with theFoodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore to host a drive-thru food pantry for Virginia Beach residents.
The event will be held at 10 a.m Tuesday, December 22 at the Human Services Administration Building parking lot, 3432 Virginia Beach Boulevard. The pantry will distribute fresh food on a first-come, first-served basis until 2 p.m., or until supplies last, whichever comes first.
According to a news release, participants must remain in their vehicles at all times and provide a photo ID for verification of Virginia Beach residency. Staff and volunteers, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, will load the groceries into the trunks or rear storage areas of participating vehicles.
To limit food handling, pantry items will be prepacked into bags containing a mix of fresh and shelf-stable foods such as fruit and vegetables, bread, dairy products, frozen meats, canned goods and some staple items such as pasta, sugar and flour.
According to the release, DHS Director Aileen L. Smith said healthy food is critically important, and she wants to provide families and individuals in need with access.
“We are thrilled to have this opportunity to collaborate with the Foodbank to offer this much-needed resource as we head into the holiday season,” Smith said.
On October 20, the Virginia Beach City Council voted to provide an $8 million grant to launch the Virginia Beach Pandemic Relief Partnership, which the United Way of South Hampton Roads is managing, to engage other local nonprofits, such as the Foodbank, to provide relief to Virginia Beach residents.
The December 22 drive-thru food pantry is a direct result of that partnership.
