- 757-229-3700
- [email protected]
- Monday – Friday / 9:30am – 3:30pm
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Food insecurity is defined by the United States Department of Agriculture as the lack of access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life. Food insecurity is associated with numerous adverse social and health outcomes and is increasingly considered a critical public health issue. Key drivers of food insecurity include unemployment, poverty, and income shocks, which can prevent adequate access to food. Alternatively, multiple interventions have been shown to reduce food insecurity, including participation in food assistance programs and broader societal-level improvements in economic stability.
44 million Americans face hunger which includes more than 13 million children. In 2022, 49 million people turned to food programs within our country which means people don’t have enough food to eat or access to healthy food.
Based on Map the Meal Gap data from 2021, we know the total of our neighbors in Greater Williamsburg who are food insecure to be:
WHOM serves an average of 300 families through twice-weekly food distribution.
We distribute USDA food each Wednesday from 10am-2pm. Please register in advance for USDA pickup by calling 757-253-0664.
Our Thursday drive thru food pantry does not require registration and is for anyone who needs to make their dollars go farther. Each week, a box of shelf stable food is provided along with fresh produce, dairy, eggs, and bread thanks to our partnership with KelRae Farm. We never want a family or individual to choose between paying rent or putting food on the table. Stop by from 10am-2pm each Thursday.
Anyone participating in our food pantry efforts can also ask us for: basic house cleaning supplies, hygiene products, incontinence products, feminine hygiene products, and dog/cat food.
Each weekday, our community kitchen is open to anyone who is in need of a protein enriched meal. Please stop by our pavilion between 12pm-1pm.
In July 2024, WHOM launched the Pop Up Food Pantry initiative which brings food more accessible to our neighbors in Upper James City County, New Kent County, and Charles City County. Residents facing food insecurity in the zip codes of 23188 (James City County), 23168 (Toano), 23089 (Lanexa), 23011 (Barhamsville), 23140 (Providence Forge), and 23030 (Charles City), please check our Facebook page for the schedule of our next Pop Up location.
