Who We Help:

The Fredericksburg Area Food Bank encourages its 100 plus member agencies to serve those who live at or near the poverty level. In 2006, a family of four earning $20,000 or less annually is living in poverty. A family of four earning $35,796 or less qualifies for reduced breakfast and lunch through the Federal school lunch program. The food bank’s member agencies help families such as those that fall into these income categories. They also assist the elderly or disabled living on fixed incomes. Many have incomes of less than $800 per month. Member agencies also assist with food during emergencies such as fires, health emergencies, and job loss. Current census statistics indicate almost 20,000 individuals living below poverty in Planning District 16. Individuals living below poverty are at risk of hunger on a daily basis.  We estimate nearly twice that number could be food insecure, or experiencing hunger on a periodic basis. Our clients come from all walks of life, including:

·         The Elderly

·         The Disabled

·         The Mentally ill

·         The Homeless

·         The Newly unemployed

·         The Working poor

·         Disaster victims

·         Battered women and children

·         Single parent families

We have witnessed personal disasters, such as a single mother left jobless, with no food in the house, showing up at our door. After supplying her with 50 pounds of food, enough to tie her over until a visit to the Community Assistance Program, she returned home to a notice from her landlord that she would have to find another place to live. He planned to put the house on the market. This is not an isolated event. Two days later, a gentleman called in desperation. He also was being forced to vacate his apartment and needed housing and food assistance.

SERVICE AREA

The Fredericksburg Area Food Bank serves all of Planning District 16, i.e., the Counties of Spotsylvania, Stafford, King George, Caroline, and the City of Fredericksburg.