VERONA, VA (Rocktown Now) – With Hunger Action Month underway, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank received 80,000 pounds of chicken as part of Perdue Farms’ “Fill the Food Gap” initiative.

According to Feeding America, 1 in 9 people in the Blue Ridge area are food insecure. That’s over 182,000 individuals.

“The need for food assistance is higher than ever, affecting families, seniors, and working people across the Blue Ridge. Our vision is simple: nourishing food and good health for everyone, every day,” said Blue Ridge Area Food Bank CEO Kari Diener in a release.

The donation provided to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank will be distributed through its network of local pantries, soup kitchens, and community programs, directly benefiting residents in need across Western and Central Virginia.

The Fill the Food Gap program also includes:

  • Ongoing Protein Donations: Perdue Farms commits to continued protein donations throughout the year, adapting to evolving short-term and long-term needs identified by food bank partners.
  • Associate Volunteerism: Encouraging and facilitating Perdue Farms associates nearby to volunteer their time and skills at local food banks and community feeding programs, particularly during Hunger Action Month.
  • Advocacy and Awareness: Raising awareness about the severity of food insecurity and advocating for solutions to address systemic issues, amplifying the message of Hunger Action Month.

“The urgency to address food insecurity has only grown this year,” said Todd Tillemans, Chief Commercial Officer at Perdue Farms. “With so many families relying on food banks that are stretched thinner than ever, we knew we had to act. Fill the Food Gap is about mobilizing Perdue’s resources and people to provide immediate relief in the communities where we operate and shine a light on a challenge too big to ignore.”