As cars began to line up on Virginia Beach’s South Independence Boulevard and Newport News’ Diligence Drive, Virginia Natural Gas workers were ready.
Noting an uptick in food insecurity in its local communities due to coronavirus shutdowns, Virginia Natural Gas organized a drive-thru food drive to benefit the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore and the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank.
Through the generosity of employees, customers and community members, team members at the two Virginia Natural Gas locations collected nearly 3,000 pounds of food and more than $1,000 in cash combined.
The effort provided more than 6,000 meals for those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The food drive follows a donation that Virginia Natural Gas made to the two food banks and other relief organizations in March to provide essential services. “Over the past few months, we’ve seen the need to support our local area food banks grow as they struggle to support those in need [and] put food on their tables,” Jim Kibler, president, Virginia Natural Gas, told American Gas. “It’s our responsibility to provide energy safely and reliably every day, and with that comes a connection to our community. Our company is only as well off as our community, and we believe our community should be a better place because we are in it.”—Carolyn Kimmel