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Thursday, 20 August 2009 06:55 Last Updated on Monday, 26 April 2010 21:50 Written by admin

Fredericksburg Area Food Bank and Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States announce Matching Challenge

Matching Funds sought to assist in food outreach programs

Fredericksburg, VA April 27, 2010: Fredericksburg Area Food Bank and Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States announce today the beginning of a month-long challenge to raise $180,000 to assist in food outreach programs, including the Mobile Pantry, beginning at the food bank this year. Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States is donating $90,000 towards the effort and is challenging the community to match this amount.

“At Kaiser Permanente, we believe our responsibility to create healthier, stronger communities extends beyond our medical office doors,” states Maritha Gay, senior director of external affairs for Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States. “By providing support to the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank, Kaiser Permanente is able to improve the quality of life and health of people in the Fredericksburg community.”

Mobile Pantry is a method of direct client distribution via a dry or refrigerated vehicle, providing food that traditional pantries do not normally distribute to people, from one set location. The Fredericksburg Area Food Bank will begin deliveries to pre-selected sites in rural areas of the food bank’s service area, primarily Caroline, King George, Stafford and Spotsylvania Counties. The program will operate in a different county each week.

Oya Oliver, Executive Director of the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank, says, “We are very eager to begin this program now, especially given the current economic climate. We intend for the mobile pantry be a way to get more food into the further reaches of our service area, providing relief to many who have to drive long distances to access food pantries or the food bank. Our goal is to provide food relief to 500 families each month by June and increase those numbers each month. We are very thankful that Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States is stepping forward to provide the support needed to launch this new program.”

About Fredericksburg Area Food Bank
Fredericksburg Area Food Bank – serving Planning District 16 including the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, and Caroline and the city of Fredericksburg. The food bank secures and distributes more than one million pounds of donated food and grocery products annually; and supports approximately 70 local charitable agencies, operating more than 160 programs including emergency shelters, food pantries, Kids Cafes, Food for Life senior feeding programs, and soup kitchens. Last year, the food bank provided food assistance to more than 30,000 individuals in Planning District 16, including more than 4,000 children and 3,400 seniors. For more information on the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank, please visit www.fredfood.org.