The Virginia Peninsula Foodbank serves the Hampton Roads peninsula, from Newport News and Hampton to Williamsburg and the surrounding counties. Hampton Roads holds one of the largest concentrations of military personnel in the world, and military families, especially junior enlisted service members, are among those facing food insecurity here. Since 1986 the food bank has provided more than 236 million meals. Robert Latvis serves as President and CEO, having succeeded Karen Joyner, who retired after 11 years leading the organization.
The Virginia Peninsula Foodbank sources food at scale and distributes it across the peninsula through partner agencies and its own programs. Because the region’s economy revolves around the military, shipbuilding, and tourism, the food bank deals with a population that includes service members’ families whose pay does not always stretch to cover the local cost of living, a form of food insecurity that often goes unrecognized.
Robert Latvis serves as President and CEO, having succeeded Karen Joyner, who led the food bank for 11 years before retiring. The transition came as demand rose across Virginia’s food banks amid federal benefit cuts, putting pressure on an organization that reported about $19 million in annual revenue.
The service area covers the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, and Williamsburg and the counties of Gloucester, James City, Mathews, Surry, and York. Hampton Roads is home to one of the largest concentrations of military personnel anywhere in the world, and military families, particularly junior enlisted, are a defining part of the population the food bank serves.
Yes. The Virginia Peninsula Foodbank is a registered 501(c)(3) and a Feeding America member with a multi-decade operating record and more than 236 million meals provided since 1986. Donors can review its financials through Charity Navigator and GuideStar.
Donations and volunteer shifts run through hrfoodbank.org. Volunteers sort and pack food and help at distributions, and cash gifts go furthest because of the food bank’s purchasing power.
The Virginia Peninsula Foodbank covers the Hampton Roads peninsula, while Feed More serves Central Virginia around Richmond and the Capital Area Food Bank serves Northern Virginia. Its focus on military family hunger is distinctive. For anyone on the peninsula, it is the lead organization.
Agencies across the peninsula’s cities and counties receive food.
Outreach to service members’ families facing food insecurity.
School and weekend food support for kids at risk of hunger.
Food assistance for older adults on fixed incomes.
Sources: Virginia Peninsula Foodbank website (hrfoodbank.org), and WAVY and VPM reporting on the leadership transition and rising demand. We are not affiliated with Virginia Peninsula Foodbank and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
More Virginia and food-bank resources