Feeding Southwest Virginia marks 45 years of service
Today, more than 170,000 neighbors, including 42,000 children, face hunger in the 12,400 square-foot service region Feeding Southwest Virginia serves.
May 1 marked Feeding Southwest Virginia’s 45th anniversary of nourishing neighbors, with Founder, President, and CEO, Pamela Irvine, at its helm. For 45 years, the Food Bank has remained steadfast in its pursuit of providing food to those who face hunger.
Feeding Southwest Virginia proudly commemorates this milestone of hunger relief service in Southwest Virginia and plans to host donor events and food drives throughout the year to celebrate its anniversary.
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Though it began as a program of Total Action Against Poverty (TAP) in 1981, the Food Bank quickly grew in size and scope. In 1999, the Food Bank officially became a non-profit entity. Now, Feeding Southwest Virginia distributes an average of more than 20 million pounds of food to approximately 400 agency partners and direct-service programs like Kid’s Farmers Markets and local pantries, saving the neighbors it serves more than $30 million in grocery costs annually.
“Our Food Bank could only reach this milestone thanks to the many community partners who support our mission. From churches, to donors, volunteers, and civic organizations their kind and caring commitment to the neighbors of Southwest Virginia helped the Food Bank become the source of charitable support it is today,” paid Irvine, who announced her plans to retire in December 2026. “Feeding Southwest Virginia will be here for another 45 years to nourish those in need.”
Today, more than 170,000 neighbors, including 42,000 children, face hunger in the 12,400 square-foot service region Feeding Southwest Virginia serves. Feeding Southwest Virginia’s commitment to their mission of nourishing neighbors, engaging community partners, and developing solutions to address food insecurity will remain. The Food Bank is supported annually by more than 2,600 volunteers, 65 staff members, and more than 10,000 donors.
Feeding Southwest Virginia is a partner of Feeding America. The primary function of the Food Bank is to secure and distribute large quantities of food for the 1 in 7 food insecure neighbors. Visit www.feedingswva.org for more information
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