Hurricane Sandy left a devastating trail… many are still without power and without food… some even without homes. On November 9 and 10, from 9am to 7pm, the parking lot outside of Tanglewood Kroger in Southwest County was bustling with people wanting to help those in need. Kroger along with Feeding America Southwest Virginia and WDBJ 7 teamed up to conduct the Home and Away Food Drive. This food drive was designed not only to help those in New England who are still suffering from the destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy, but also to help those in Southwest Virginia who are still at risk for hunger. Kitty Tabor, the Food Resourcing Manager for Feeding America Southwest Virginia, said, “the need is still up in this area… in fact it is up 9 percent, which means one in six Virginians are at risk for hunger.” The partners who conducted the food drive on November 9 and 10, pledged that for every three non-perishable food items donated, one will stay in Southwest Virginia, and the other two will go to areas that are the worst hit by Hurricane Sandy.

By Saturday, almost three trucks had been filled with canned foods, bottled water, and health and beauty items. Hurricane Sandy may have left a trail of destruction… and those around us in Southwest Virginia may need help too, but hopefully with more events like the Home and Away Food Drive the need will grow less and less.