The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank recently studied its "missing guests" – people who may be facing food insecurity, but are not getting assistance. WMRA's Randi B. Hagi reports.
The food bank, headquartered in Verona, serves people in 25 counties and eight cities – more than 140,000 people per month. But CEO Michael McKee says there are more who could use help. They hired a market research firm to study where and why there was overrepresentation of poverty and unemployment compared to the number of people accessing the food bank's services.
MICHAEL MCKEE: There was a significant level of unmet need in the rural areas, largely due to the lack of transportation. Certainly, due to the lack of grocery stores in remote, rural areas, and even the lack of food pantries in certain areas. … The food pantries may be open once a month or maybe twice a month.
He said some people, including immigrants, are just not aware of food pantries in their area.
MCKEE: Many, certainly, are not familiar with the system at all. They have language barriers in many cases. … And those who don't have documentation, but are working and contributing to our communities, may be fearful about showing up at any place that seems official.
According to the study, many of the missing guests are concentrated in Lynchburg, Amherst County, Waynesboro, and Harrisonburg. To reach them, the food bank plans to work on public awareness and bringing food to places where people already congregate.
