10/12/2024
Heroes Against Hunger: IES Virginia Surpasses Fundraising Goal for Local Foodbank
Combating Hunger in Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore
Giving back never tased so good! IES Electrical teamed up with the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia to tackle food insecurity and make a big difference in the Hampton Roads area! With each dollar raised providing 2 meals for those in need, discover the extent of IES contributions in the fight against food insecurity.
Leading the effort to eliminate hunger in the Hampton Roads area, IES Electrical banded together in Virginia for another Hunger Heroes fundraiser in partnership with the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore. The Foodbank’s Hunger Heroes food and fundraising competition unites businesses across the region in the fight against food insecurity, stirring up a friendly competition between Hampton Roads located companies to see who can raise the most money in support of families in need.
“I’ve been in charge of our summer Foodbank fundraiser since 2018 when one of our largest grocery stores in the area closed down and left the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore in desperate need of donations,” said AR Specialist Michelle Smiley, “they put a plea out to the community and IES stepped up with a food drive that summer.”
With food scarcity being especially prominent amongst underprivileged families in the summer months, the food drive aims to sustain kids and their families who’re no longer benefitting from the 2 guaranteed daily free meals that they’d receive during the school year. While in the Suffolk City Public School district, 68.25% kids are enrolled in the free/reduced meal program, upwards of 80% of students in Richmond, Norfolk, and Hampton school districts receive free or reduced meals.
“It feels good to support the community in need,” said Ray Thompson, Director of Operations at IES Virginia. According to the Southeastern Virginia Foodbank, 1 in 13 people in the region are projected to be food insecure, which equates to over 30,000 kids. IES donated everything from baby food to tuna, while simultaneously raising funds via an online portal for those who couldn’t bring in physical goods. For every $1 donated, 2 meals would be provided to someone in need. This year, IES Electrical raised a whopping $9K, surpassing their original goal of $5K – a huge win for the community! “Every penny will make an impact,” said Michelle.
