Blue Ridge Area Food Bank: Food, Faith, and Fixed Incomes

Host Janet Michael sits down with Les Sinclair, Communications and PR Manager of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank to explore how older Americans are both the backbone of the food bank's volunteer workforce and one of its most vulnerable populations. With May designated as Older Americans Month — and the 2026 theme being "Champion Your Health" — the conversation digs into rising food insecurity numbers, the critical role of nutrition, and how the food bank is adapting to increasing demand and shrinking federal support. Key Topics Covered Older Americans as Volunteers Seniors make up a large portion of food pantry volunteers, particularly through church-based programs Over 50% of food pantries operate out of churches Seniors are "aging out" of heavy lifting tasks — food bank supports partners with electric pallet jacks and other equipment Seniors as Food Recipients 1 in 5 seniors visits a food pantry at some point Fixed incomes leave little flexibility when prices rise (gas, groceries, prescriptions) Many seniors batch all monthly errands into a single trip, including food pantry visits Transportation and mobility challenges drive demand for delivery-based food services The Numbers 32+ million pounds of food distributed last fiscal year Currently tracking to exceed that — 16.6 million pounds in the first half of this fiscal year Monthly guest visits have risen from ~171,200 (last fiscal year average) to ~177,000 currently Peak of 194,000 visits recorded in October 2025 amid government shutdown uncertainty USDA food supply is down 31%, requiring the food bank to purchase more food to fill the gap Food as Medicine 5.5 million pounds of the food distributed is produce Proper nutrition can help manage chronic conditions: high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes Food bank partners with healthcare clinics to screen patients for food insecurity and send them home with food that meets dietary needs Variety and choice matter — food that isn't eaten provides no nutrition Senior-Specific Programs CSFP (Commodity Supplemental Food Program) / Senior Food Boxes — USDA-funded monthly food boxes for income-qualifying seniors; packed in Charlottesville, distributed region-wide from Winchester to Lynchburg; recently supplemented with additional produce boxes Reach Boxes — Food bank's own program for seniors who don't qualify for USDA boxes; same concept, purchased food USDA Funding & the Farm Bill USDA product reductions create ripple effects throughout the food distribution network The Farm Bill is critical to maintaining nutrition programs, supporting farmers, and funding food banks Smaller pantries may not have the budget to fill USDA gaps — the food bank has issued financial credits to ~120 pantries Food bank is spending ~$700,000 on 400,000 pounds of high-quality, culturally specific proteins (chicken, fish, beef, peanut butter) to distribute for free to partners How the Food Bank is Funded Over 75% of funding comes from individual donors — people giving $5–$10/month $10 = 30 meals; community giving compounds significantly at scale Large corporate donations are rare in the region Upcoming Event: Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Date: Saturday, May 9th Organized by the Letter Carriers Association (not the post office) Leave non-perishable food items by your mailbox before 8:00 AM Letter carriers will collect and deliver to local pantries or the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Largest food drive of the year Tips: No glass containers, no perishables — canned goods and boxed items preferred Can also donate online in honor of your letter carrier How to Get Involved Donate food: Leave items at your mailbox on May 9th for Stamp Out Hunger Donate money: Even $5–$10/month makes a difference Find a pantry or get help: brafb.org