The Henry County Food Pantry received a $250,000 grant Thursday from Feeding Southwest Virginia through funding made available by Feeding America.
Molly Pinkston, director of agency partnerships for Feeding Southwest Virginia, presented the grant Sept. 3 at the pantry’s facility in Bassett.
“Today I’m just so excited to present a $250,000 grant award to Henry County Food Pantry on behalf of Feeding America,” Pinkston said.
The three-year grant will support several improvements and initiatives at the pantry, including hiring a full-time staff member, expanding fresh produce distribution through local partnerships, launching a home delivery service, and making capital improvements to the facility.
Rachel Garnett, marketing and communications for Feeding Southwest Virginia, said the grant is intended to improve access to food while maintaining a focus on the experience and dignity of those served.
“We are distributing a pass-through grant through Feeding America, um, in support of neighbor access and experience. So this funding that we’re providing to Henry County Food Pantry is going to really support the Henry County distribution process here,” Garnett said. “They are going to be rolling out home delivery service, and a lot of other initiatives over a three-year period to fully support the neighbors who reside here. And we’re so thankful to be a part of it today, and grateful for their partnership.”
The pantry serves an average of 2,500 residents each month with USDA-purchased and donated food. It is open to the general public Mondays from 9 a.m. to noon.
Sharon Mills, executive director of Henry County Food Pantry, said the organization is grateful for the support.
“Henry County Food Pantry is eternally grateful for the level of commitment this grant – from Feeding Southwest Virginia and Feeding America – represents in providing easier access to healthier food options to our residents while providing a dignified path to hope and self-sufficiency,” Mills said.
According to Feeding Southwest Virginia, the Henry County Food Pantry operates in one of Virginia’s most economically challenged rural communities. One in six people, and one in four children in the county, face hunger.
The grant is part of a larger effort by Feeding Southwest Virginia to provide financial support to its agency partners. The organization said it has distributed $1.6 million through such funding during the past five years, supporting approximately 80% of its agency partner network.
Feeding Southwest Virginia is a partner food bank of Feeding America and serves a 26-county, nine-city region in Southwest Virginia.
