Feeding Southwest Virginia Hosts 100 Agency Partners, Shares Special Announcement
ROANOKE — Feeding Southwest Virginia welcomed approximately 100 agency partners from across the region for its annual Agency Conference at the Pilgrim Family Life Center.
The 2026 conference, themed “Uniting Communities,” brought together representatives from food pantries and community partners that serve neighbors facing food insecurity throughout Southwest Virginia, including Alleghany County, Bedford County, Botetourt County, Craig County, Covington City, Danville City, Floyd County, Franklin County, Giles County, Henry County, Martinsville City, Montgomery County, Patrick County, Pittsylvania County, Pulaski County, Radford City, Roanoke City, Roanoke County, and Salem City.
The Food Bank recognized the strain agency partners have faced in recent years due to inflated costs and rising need. Recently published data indicates that 55% of neighbors in Southwest Virginia face hunger.
Allison McGee, Chief Strategy Officer for Feeding Southwest Virginia, addressed the crowd of agency partners; “It’s been a hard year with the government shutdown and the effects of government policies that are impacting social services work…we know that you are meeting an increased need with less resources.”
McGee continues, “You are telling us more neighbors than ever need help. As your partner, we are here to help. It is for these reasons we are thrilled to announce that Feeding Southwest Virginia is eliminating our handling fee for donated food beginning October 1st, allowing an opportunity for a greater investment in your communities.”
The Food Bank recognized multiple long-standing partners who have contributed to critical food insecurity work as a part of their network. Partners, such as Stepping Stone Mission of Franklin County, provided their perspective on food insecurity in their respective communities.
Staci Talley of Stepping Stone Mission of Franklin County stated, “It’s hard to see. We have individuals who receive SNAP benefits, but their funding has been drastically cut. People are struggling just to afford basic necessities.” Talley continued, “These are people who have always lived paycheck to paycheck. And suddenly, that paycheck isn’t going far enough.”
Agency partners remarked on the importance of the annual meeting for the opportunities it provides for collaboration and shared learning.
Reg Crockett of Agape Center NRV stated, “It helps knowing there are others out there doing this exact same thing. We are not alone in this mission. We’re all neighbors.”
Attendees participated in educational breakout sessions designed to strengthen their respective operations and improve services for individuals and families facing hunger.
One session, “Feeding Children Year-Round,” highlighted how Feeding Southwest Virginia’s childhood hunger programs work to provide consistent support throughout the school year and during school breaks. Participants explored Backpack, School Pantry, and federal nutrition programs to expand their services dedicated to nourishing children. This past summer, the Food Bank nourished more than 6,500 children with 476,000 meals.
Attendees were invited to attend an additional session, “Partner Pick-Up Program (PPUP): Strengthening Donor Relationships,” which examined the critical role of donated food in hunger-relief efforts. The session provided information on the Partner Pick-Up Program’s food sourcing requirements and best practices for organizing successful food drives.
President and CEO Pamela Irvine, the event’s keynote speaker, shared her last address to the attending agency partners. Irvine will retire in December after 45 years of service.
“It took all of the hands and hearts in this room today to make a difference,” says President and CEO of Feeding Southwest Virginia, Pamela Irvine. You care, you show up, and love up, and because of that – because of what you do – people are fed.”
Irvine continues, “Every time you hand someone a bag of groceries or a box of food, you are serving hope. We could not have such a strong network of support without you.”
275 agency partners across Southwest Virginia contribute to Feeding Southwest Virginia’s mission of nourishing neighbors in need. The Food Bank currently serves an average of more than 129,000 neighbors a month through this network.
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About Feeding Southwest Virginia
Feeding Southwest Virginia is a partner food bank of Feeding America. For more than 40 years, the organization has worked to nourish neighbors, engage community partners and develop solutions to address food insecurity. Each year, Feeding Southwest Virginia secures and distributes more than 21 million pounds of food to support the thousands of neighbors who live with hunger throughout Southwest Virginia. The food bank works with 275 agency partners operating more than 400 meal programs across its 26-county and nine-city service region. For more information, visit feedingswva.org.