Blue Ridge Area Food Bank to Receive 30,000 lbs of Frozen Meat

The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank will receive a major donation of 30,000 pounds of frozen meat products from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, according to a press release from the church.  It will strengthen the Food Bank’s ability to serve families facing food insecurity throughout western and central Virginia.

This substantial contribution—estimated to provide over 90,000 individual meat servings—comes at a critical time, as demand for food assistance continues to rise during the winter months.

The donation includes pork, beef, and ground beef, all packaged and stored according to USDA food‑safety standards. These high‑protein, nutrient‑dense foods will support low‑income households, seniors, children, and individuals experiencing economic hardship.

The products will be distributed through the Food Bank’s extensive pantry network, serving communities in Harrisonburg, Waynesboro, Charlottesville, Albemarle, Lynchburg, and surrounding areas. Delivery will be made via a 53-foot refrigerated truck to ensure safe handling and storage.

Greg Knight, Senior Director of Food Sourcing Programs at Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, said:

“A protein donation of this size makes an immediate and powerful difference in how we can help nourish the communities we serve. We are grateful to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for their generosity and for trusting us to help make sure these resources reach the neighbors who need them most.”

The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, headquartered in Verona, is the largest hunger‑relief organization serving western and central Virginia. Founded in 1981, the Food Bank serves 25 counties and eight cities through distribution centers in Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Winchester, and Verona. Each month, the Food Bank supports an average of 171,200 guest visits, partnering with more than 400 community organizations including food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and program sites.

The donated food was produced, packaged, and distributed through the Bishops’ Central Storehouse in Salt Lake City, Utah—part of the Church’s global welfare and humanitarian system. This network includes farms, canneries, and distribution centers funded by member donations and operated largely by volunteers. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a worldwide faith community of more than 17 million members, committed to following Jesus Christ’s teaching to care for those in need. Its humanitarian efforts provide food, clean water, emergency relief, and other aid to people of all backgrounds.

Jason Papin, President of the Waynesboro Virginia Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said:

“Our contribution to the food bank is a tangible expression of our mission to ‘love one another;’ as the Savior commanded. One way we love others is by working with wonderful organizations like the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank to meet the immediate needs of our neighbors with compassion and action, as we strive to alleviate suffering and build a stronger, more caring community.”

For more information about the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank or to learn how to support hunger‑relief efforts, please visit https://www.brafb.org.

For more information about the Bishops’ Central Storehouse or to learn more about the humanitarian efforts by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please visit https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/.