UVA Health donates $30k to Charlottesville food bank and Albemarle County food pantry

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - To celebrate National Doctor’s Day, the University of Virginia Health honored its physicians by donating to a Charlottesville food bank and an Albemarle County food pantry.

The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank and Loaves and Fishes both received $15,000 each. The non-profits say this donation from UVA Health makes it possible for them to carry out their missions.

“What we’re trying to do is give people food that will keep them healthy,” Loaves and Fishes Executive Director Jane Colony Mills said. “It’s a great honor to be recognized by UVA doctors that we are doing something towards people’s overall health.”

Mills says food insecurity is real and it’s seen a surge in demand higher than the height of the pandemic.

“The need has gone up pretty dramatically, close to 50% over the last year, and unfortunately donations food donations have not gone up in the same amount,” explained Mills.

The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank says this UVA Health Partnership is helping with hunger, food insecurity, and positive health outcomes.

This new donation equates to 60,000 meals.

Local food banks and food pantries say they are always welcoming monetary or food donations.

Do you have a story idea? Send us your news tip here.