Tidewater food banks hit hard

NORFOLK,Va - The federal government says more people are hungry, food stamp applications are rising and pantries are empty. That includes local foodbanks, especially after the November Nor'easter, and right before Thanksgiving.

Mike Powers helps stock the pantry at his church, New Life Christian Center in Norfolk's East Ocean View. The husband and father of two lost his job as a roofer back in June. As a volunteer there's a welcomed benefit

"They've given us food a couple of times. Helped out. They send me home with a box of food, maybe a couple of bags, and what not. Every little bit has been helping out a lot."

The canned goods, meats and fruit at the church come from the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia.

Associate Pastor Rodney Hammonds makes several trips a week to help replenish the church pantry. He says it empties quickly these days. "People are losing their jobs. People are having a hard time getting food for their families, juggling everything, bills, things have changed in the economy, in this country."

Here in Hampton Roads add to that the November Nor'easter and Thanksgiving around the corner there's an even greater need.

According to Southeastern Virginia Foodbank CEO Joanne Batson, families she's never seen before are showing up.  "In our area 1 in 4 people are hungry. We fed over 300-thousand individuals in Southeastern Virginia last year compared to 250-thousand the year before. If projections hold the numbers will go up again this year and that's creating a crisis."

Food drives really help. Donations of canned goods or non-perishables and financial contributions are also important as the need for food continues to grow.

The Mayflower Marathon to collect food for the Foodbank in Virginia Beach begins on Friday and runs through Sunday at Pembroke Mall and at Sams Club off Jefferson Avenue in Newport News.