Heather Bell
RADFORD – Record-high food prices and a significant increase in the number of meals served has led to a critical funding need for Radford Fairlawn Daily Bread (RFDB).
The food outreach program has already had to suspend a supplementary food box program that put non-perishable food into the hands of hungry folks, and the program’s director says the organization’s need for funding has never been greater.
“The need for funding is critical,” said RFDB Director Gretchen Dee. “We are in the midst of an economic recession and food price inflation, and we’ve seen a massive uptick of over 10,000 extra meals served since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.”
“Our budget for food and supplies has never been higher and the need in this area continues to climb,” she added. “Low-barrier food aid programs like ours provide dependable support to the most vulnerable in Radford. There are people we serve who would not have access to food without RFDB.”
RFDB provides meals at no cost for people in need in Radford and Fairlawn through two programs: a takeout lunchtime meal from their facility on Second Street and Meals on Wheels for homebound individuals living in Radford or Fairlawn.
The takeout meals are for anyone living in Radford or Fairlawn who would like to receive homestyle meals – no questions asked – simply come up to the door and ask for however many meals you need that day.
“Without extra funds, we would have to restrict the number of meals served at our door greatly, which would hit many of the multi-generational and multi-children households we serve the hardest,” said Dee. “We are already having to shut down our meal box program which provides non-perishables to households.”
Anyone who would like to make a tax-deductible donation to RFDB can send it to: Radford-Fairlawn Daily Bread, PO Box 3323, Radford, VA 24141.
In addition to monetary donations, Dee said, “We always appreciate new volunteers for both the Meals on Wheels and Meal Takeout Program. We also love when people hold food drives on our behalf, canned food drives go a long way for us.”
The free takeout meals are served Monday through Friday 10:45 a.m.- 12:15 p.m. at 501 Second Street, Radford (lower level of Long Way Brewing, the stone building at the corner of Berkley and Second Street in Radford).
Meals on Wheels for homebound individuals living in Radford or Fairlawn are delivered to the recipient’s door between 10 a.m. and noon Monday through Friday. For more information about the programs, log onto www.radfordfairlawndailybread.org.