BY TED SHOCKLEY, Eastern Shore Post —
The regional foodbank that covers the Eastern Shore is asking for the public’s advocacy and financial support after officials said federal cuts totaling almost $2 million imperil its operations.
The food distribution service, the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, operates 37 distribution points in Accomack and Northampton counties through partner agencies and mobile pantries. The local branch is headquartered in Tasley.
In 2024 alone, it distributed 1.8 million pounds of food in Northampton and Accomack counties — the equivalent of 1.5 million meals, said Mallory Reckling, the foodbank’s director of development and marketing.
“Changes in federal programs deserve thoughtful evaluation,” said Christopher Tan, president and chief executive of the foodbank. “But the current lack of clarity makes it nearly impossible to forecast and adapt. Our operations depend on consistency.”
Twice in recent weeks the foodbank has received news of funding cuts amid federal budget reductions to wide swaths of the national government.
Tan said on Wednesday, March 26, that $400,000 in food was eliminated when a federal food purchasing program was canceled.
That followed a March 11 statement from Tan and the foodbank that it anticipates a $1.5 million loss in “congressionally directed funding.”
Part of the funding, called Local Food Purchase Assistance, came from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to buy locally sourced food from regional farmers.
Tan said the foodbank will have to buy what it cannot “source through federal programs.” The upshot will be “tighter allocations” and ultimately, “less food and fewer options on the tables of our neighbors facing hunger.”
Reckling said there are an estimated 6,070 food insecure people on the Eastern Shore, including 2,250 children.
The Tasley branch office has five employees, she said.
The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore serves 11 cities and counties and has a $58.8 million annual budget in fiscal year 2024.
In all, it distributed 24.1 million pounds of food last year — or 20.5 million meals provided.
The foodbank is asking the public to support its efforts in two ways:
— Supporting local hunger relief efforts. Donations to the Foodbank help purchase food and expand services to meet rising needs.
— Advocating for strong federal investments in hunger relief programs. Contact representatives and urge them to oppose funding cuts to SNAP and other critical programs.
