We are certainly experiencing good times at Food Independence. We just learned we got a $25,000 grant from Twin County Community Foundation to start a project that better links local food production and food assistance programs. It will use Food Independence as the pilot to develop a program that can be used by other area food programs. It requires a lot of work but should be a big help in the future. Some project funds will purchase surplus or out-of-contract products from local farmers in a more planned manner that better directs them to local food needs. A real opportunity. Good times!
In our monthly program, demand has risen by almost 50% this year compared to 2021. Not surprising, given increased food and fuel costs and general inflation. This is even more challenging when food costs are up, large scale food donations are down and sourcing is difficult. But, If you’re in the business of food assistance, and meet that demand as we have, these are good times! They are also hard times.
We are entering the much loved, and equally dreaded, end of year rush that food assistance programs see each year. You call it the holiday season. Demand will increase by 50% over earlier in 2022 and we feel we must make special boxes to help our clients have good holiday meals. We give out turkeys or hams, sweet and white potatoes, veggies, fruits and some dessert for Thanksgiving and Christmas in addition to shelf stable products to help throughout the month.
Food Independence is healthy and will survive the good times, and hard times, at the end of this year but there is next year, and the year after that, and …! We did well during the last year without asking you for more support, largely due to Town pass-through grant money. We’re still doing pretty well but it is time to ask for more local support, before we drain our resources. We will do an end of year fundraiser but want to kick off a new “sponsorship” program for the holidays. Listed below are most of the “holiday meal” items for the November and/or December boxes and their estimated costs, at our “best price” (even donated food from Feeding SWVA cost us $0.19/lb). We are asking for help for 350 boxes each for November and December, which may be low. If you can’t afford to sponsor 350 turkeys, or 350 cans of cranberry sauce, we appreciate whatever you can do, and offer the chance to sponsor a quarter of a holiday month’s cost of an item. If that’s too much, give as you can. Every penny helps!
We’re asking early so we can plan what we will include and source needed product. Help us make our neighbor’s holiday brighter by sponsoring part of their holiday meal. You can indicate what, and how much, you want to sponsor by sending an email to [email protected] and then sending a check, made out to Food independence, to P.O. Box 201, Independence, VA 24348. We need to know your commitment before Nov 1 and need checks by November 10 (we’re gonna buy it based on your commitment!). You have been amazing supporters (and volunteers) in the past. Thank you in advance for helping us help your community, again!
Holiday meal sponsorship opportunities for November box
(Clients also receive smaller regular box of shelf stable products)
Cost per 25% of Cost/
Item Item/month item/month
- Turkey – (350 @ $10 ea) $3,500 $875
- Cranberry sauce – (350 cans @ $1.60 ea) $560 $140
- Gravy mix – (350 pkgs @ $0.60 ea) $210 $52
- Heat and serve rolls – (350 pkgs @ $2.00 ea) $700 $175
- Dressing/stuffing – (350 pkgs @ $1.20/ea) $420 $105
- Green beans – (700 cans @ $0.60ea) $420 $105
- Cream of mushroom soup – (350 cans @ $0.90/can) $315 $79
- Canned Sweet Potatoes – (350 cans @ $0.80) $280 $70
- White potatoes – (1750lbs @ 0.40/lb) $700 $175
- Pumpkin (pie filling) – (350 cans @ $1.80 ea) $630 $158
Holiday meal sponsorship opportunities for December box
(Clients also receive smaller regular box of shelf stable products)
Cost per 25% of Cost/
Item Item/month item/month
- Ham or turkey – (350 @ $10 ea) $3,500 $875
- Cranberry sauce – (350 cans @ $1.60 ea) $560 $140
- Gravy mix – (350 pkgs @ $0.60 ea) $210 $52
- Heat and serve rolls – (350 pkgs @ $2.00 ea) $700 $175
- Dressing/stuffing – (350 pkgs @ $1.20/ea) $420 $105
- Green beans (700 cans @ $0.60ea) $420 $105
- Cream of mushroom soup (350 cans @ $0.90/can) $315 $79
- Oranges – (700lbs @ $0.80/lb) $560 $140
- White potatoes – (1750lbs @ $0.40/lb) $700 $175
- Apple pie filling – (350 cans @ $1.80 ea) $630 $158
