Kaine budget includes $1M for strapped food banks

Food banks across the commonwealth, including the local Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, are hailing Gov. Tim Kaine’s decision to put a $1 million grant in the 2009-10 budget to purchase food for Virginia’s seven food banks.

“I am beyond elated,” said Leslie Van Horn, executive director of the Federation of Virginia Food Banks.

She said Kaine’s proposal would translate into 671,000 pounds of food for the seven Virginia food banks.

If approved by the General Assembly, the funds for the food banks would come in the new fiscal year, which starts in July.

The General Assembly must approve Kaine’s proposal, but Van Horn said most legislators she has spoken to want the money for food banks left in the budget.

Van Horn said the donation could take the edge off a difficult time for food banks as they cope with an increased demand.

That demand has escalated to the serving of 87,000 people by the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank in November, with more than a third of that number coming from the Shenandoah Valley, said Ruth Jones, a spokeswoman for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.

Jones said donations have been strong during the holiday season.

“People are recognizing the need is greater than it has been in some time,” she said.

But typically, donations taper off early in the new year, Jones said.

And with the economy in peril, Jones said the demand for donated food for needy families will continue to be strong.

Those wishing to donate to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank can do so by visiting 96 Laurel Hill Road in Verona or by mailing a donation to Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, P.O. Box 937, Verona, VA 24482.