FAQs
Thursday, 20 August 2009 06:47 Last Updated on Thursday, 10 December 2009 03:31
The FAFB is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s food bank network. The FAFB is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization.
Q. Where is the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank located?
The FAFB is located at 3631 Lee Hill Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22408
Q. How does the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank help those who are hungry in the Fredericksburg area?
The FAFB provides food and nutrition and education resources to over 80 member agencies that serve those In the Fredericksburg area that are at risk of being food insecure.
Q. How does the Food Bank acquire food?
Food is sourced from more than 40 manufacturers, retailers, distributors, grocers, growers, processors, the food industry, Feeding America and from food drives. Bloom Stores are one of the area’s largest retail donors.
Q. Does the Food Bank charge for food?
The Fredericksburg Area Food Bank does not charge for food nor do our member agencies charge for food. However there is a shared maintenance charge ranging from $.07 to $.19 per pound that helps off-set the cost of handling and delivery. This fee is paid by member agencies and not by those in need.
Q. How much food is distributed?
When the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank was started, we delivered 1,539 pounds of food per month. Today, we distribute over 250,000 pounds of food each month through over 80 member agencies. Our member agencies report serving over 5,000 persons each month, 40% of them children under the age of 18.
Q. Can the hungry get food directly from the Food Bank?
No. The food is collected, stored and repackaged at the warehouse and then distributed to partner agencies that are also 501 (c) (3) organizations. These nonprofit community programs then either prepare the food and serve it or distribute bags of food to those in need. If you or someone you know needs emergency food assistance, call our Hunger Line at 540.371.7666 or send an email to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
ABOUT HUNGER
Q. How does the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank define poverty?
The Fredericksburg Area Food Bank defines poverty based upon 185% of the federal poverty guidelines. This means that a household may earn up to 185% of the U.S. government's standard of poverty and still be considered "in poverty." This measure (and other multiples such as 125%, 150% and even 200% of poverty) is utilized to determine eligibility for many government programs.
Poverty and hunger are directly correlated and the FAFB has found that those who live in poverty are at risk of or suffering from hunger.
The official 2009 federal poverty level for a family of three is an annual household income of $17,170 (except Alaska and Hawaii). 185% of poverty for a family of three is $31,765 which is still not enough for life's basic necessities in the Fredericksburg area.
The official federal poverty level for a family of four is an annual household income of $20,650 (except Alaska and Hawaii). 185% of poverty for a family of three is $38,003 which is still not enough for a comfortable living.
Q. Does hunger really exist in the Fredericksburg Area?
In the Fredericksburg area, more than 40,000 people are at risk of or experiencing hunger.
Last year, the Food Bank distributed over 3 million pounds of food and other grocery products through our network of member agencies.
Q. Why are so many people hungry?
There are many reasons that people find themselves at risk of hunger. In recent years the economy has taken its toll on the working poor – those with low-paying jobs. In the Fredericksburg area housing costs are soaring and low income housing is difficult to find. Utility and transportation costs also continue to increase, leaving little room in household budgets for food.
FOOD BANK DESCRIPTION
Q. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?
A food bank solicits, collects, stores, repackages and distributes large quantities of food to direct food service programs. The Fredericksburg Area Food Bank is a food bank and a member of Feeding America, the national network of food banks.
A food pantry provides food directly to those in need who may have a place to live, but not enough to eat. Food pantries are an important source of emergency food for the working poor.
Q. What is the difference between a food bank and a soup kitchen?
A food bank solicits, collects, stores, repackages and distributes large quantities of food to direct food service programs. The Fredericksburg Area Food Bank is a food bank and a member of Feeding America, the national network of food banks.
A soup kitchen prepares food provided by the Food Bank into hot, nutritious meals for those in need. For many people, the soup kitchen provides their only hot meal of the day.
ABOUT HELPING
Q. How much of my donation goes directly to feeding the hungry?
95 cents of every dollar donated goes directly toward helping those who suffer from hunger.
Q. How many people will I feed with my donation?
For every dollar donated the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank, we are able to provide 4 meals to hungry people.
Q. Why should I support the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank?
In a nation as rich as ours, it is inconceivable that anyone should go hungry. The working poor are the backbone of many businesses and significantly contribute to the productivity and prosperity of the Fredericksburg region. They live in households where typically at least one adult works, but struggles to pay for rent, utilities, health care and food. However, many of these Americans go home after a long, hard day of work and often find themselves unable to meet the most basic needs of their families. By giving to the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank you are helping the area’s most needy children, families and seniors with a basic human need – food. Your donation will support our efforts to alleviate hunger in the Fredericksburg area.
Q. Where does the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank receive funding?
We receive support from many different sources including donations from individuals, corporations and foundations. The Fredericksburg Area Food Bank is a member of Rappahannock United Way. Contributors through the United Way must designate the food bank as the recipient for the food bank to receive funds. For United Way Auto Giving information, click here.
Fredericksburg Area Food Bank
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1006, Fredericksburg, VA 22402
Physical Address: 3631 Lee Hill Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22408
Phone: 540.371.7666 | Fax: 540.371.3186