How to Help in the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Region
November 16 – 22 is Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, an annual opportunity to shine a spotlight on the problems of hunger and homelessness and organize our communities to take action.
To help raise awareness, we’re putting a spotlight on some of the phenomenal community organizations across the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Region providing resources addressing food insecurity and poverty.
As we move into the holidays and winter months, this is a critical time to rally support for the important work organizations are doing in our localities to serve vulnerable populations.
To participate, take time the week before Thanksgiving and beyond to address hunger and homelessness in your community through volunteering, donating, and educating.
Volunteer
Pitch in at your area food bank or shelter.
Feeding Southwest Virginia Region-wide
Sign up for volunteer opportunities at various locations and dates/times with Feeding Southwest Virginia in the Salem/Roanoke area
Questions about volunteering in Salem/Roanoke: Contact Randy Holden at Randy.Holden@feedingswva.org or 540.342.3011 ext. 7016.
The Rescue Mission of Roanoke
There are many ways to get involved and volunteer for the Mission’s daily operations or annual events such as the Drumstick Dash and Thanksgiving Feast. Learn about the opportunities on their website here.
For questions, contact them at (540) 777-7656 or volunteer.info@rescuemission.net.
Stepping Stone Mission of Franklin County Rocky Mount
Volunteers support their Soup Kitchen and Food Donation Pick-Up programs. Learn more and submit a volunteer inquiry here.
Visit their website here for other ways to help including donating financially, donating food items and sharing about the Mission’s needs and events on social media.
Donate
Support local programs with food, personal hygiene items, and money.
Presbyterian Community Center Southeast Roanoke
Organizing a Hunger Busters food drive through your organization for Presbyterian Community Center’s pantry is a fun and impactful way to fight food insecurity in our community! Whether you’re collecting donations, sorting food, or packing bags, every effort helps put meals on the table for families in need. To get involved contact Volunteer Coordinator April Lewis at alewis@pccse.org
United Way of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Region-wide
The United Way of Virginia’s Blue Ridge is actively fundraising through December 2nd for their Emergency Relief Fund in response to families across the region feeling the strain of rising housing, food and healthcare cost, making them one emergency or paycheck away from crisis.
The Emergency Relief Fund is a short-term, rapid-response effort to keep families stable and strengthen the partners who serve them. The fund is for fast, flexible assistance for families who need help with food, housing, and essential bills.
Salem Roanoke County Food Pantry
The Salem Roanoke County Food Pantry has programs addressing food insecurity and help with basic needs beyond their food pantry. Their Snack Buddy program provides nutritional snacks to elementary and pre-schools in Salem and Roanoke County. Their Crib Ministry program provides families with children up to 3 years old with items such as baby food and formula, wipes and diapers.
Donate directly to their programs here and follow their Facebook page to see weekly lists of needed items.
Clifton Forge Area Food Pantry
Donations and drop-offs of food can be made Monday-Friday between 8 AM – noon. Food is distributed Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 10 am – noon. Contact them at 540-620-8361 or at cfareafoodpantry@gmail.com for questions.
Follow their Facebook page to learn about immediate pantry needs.
Educate
Raise awareness about hunger and homelessness by sharing local resources online or in-person. If sharing on social media, tag #HHWeek.
Roanoke Foodshed Network Region-wide
The Roanoke Food Network compiled an easy-to-navigate “10 Ways to Access Food” resource flyer that can be shared online or elsewhere. This helpful information includes information beyond food pantries such as pet food assistance, food assistance for the aging, and Virginia Fresh Match.
Download the graphic below and see this document for the resources and links.
211 Virginia Statewide
211 Virginia is a free, confidential, and accessible service that connects people with information on available community services throughout the Commonwealth. 211 has trained professionals available no matter the situation and is available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Education to share:
If you or someone you know is struggling with housing, food, or utilities, call 2-1-1 or visit 211virginia.org for free, confidential help connecting to local resources:
- Text “FOOD” to 247-211 to receive links to the 211 Virginia public search directory, the food pantry locator, and the VENA webpage.
- Visit: www.dss.virginia.gov/VENA for official VENA information.
- Call: 2-1-1 or 1-800-230-6977 for live help from a Specialist.
Help spread the word about 211 through your organization! Marketing materials can be downloaded or shipped free of charge to your location. Learn more and request here.
More Community Resource Guides in the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Region
Feeding Southwest Virginia – Find Food
Find the nearest food pantry, a children’s feeding site, Mobile Food Pantry site, or Mobile Marketplace location at feedingswva.org/map-directory
Feeding Southwest Virginia’s Hunger and Help Line personally connects you to food resources and community services in Southwest Virginia. Call 540-299-0004 or text 276-274-9131. Available Monday-Friday 8:30 am – 5 pm.
Download this printable food resources list by locality from Feeding Southwest Virginia.
Roanoke City Area Food Pantries
Botetourt County Resource List
Alleghany Highlands: Live Well Resource Guide
Friendship House Roanoke – Food Pantries by Zipcode Includes zip codes in Roanoke, Botetourt and Franklin Counties, the City of Salem and Town of Vinton
