Dear Friend,
As I read through the stories in this newsletter and look ahead to the holiday season, one word keeps going through my mind.
Gratitude.
I’m forever grateful for people like you who support Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank. Without you, the work of helping our neighbors facing hunger just wouldn’t get done. But thanks to you, people experiencing food insecurity are finding the help and hope they need this holiday season.
That’s why we’re so grateful for all of our generous supporters and partners, especially as so many face new hardships due to government funding cuts and increasing costs. I’m also grateful as I read the stories in this issue. Stories of neighbors who will be able to put food on the table during the holidays and beyond. Food is at the heart of every holiday. And thanks to friends like you, more families will have access to the foods that make this time of year special.
As I sit down with my family, I will give thanks for you, for a community that cares so deeply about its neighbors, and for those families and individuals who are being helped.
Remember, every $10 you give helps provide 20 nourishing meals. Thank you for your kindness!
With gratitude,
Dan Maher
President and CEO
See How You Help Families Like Kristy’s
For Kristy’s family, being together means everything. Living in the suburbs with her husband and two children, Kristy cherishes the moments they spend as a family —
especially during the holidays.
Their holiday traditions center on making meals together and sharing special memories with family. “Sharing food is just something that we love to do. It’s just family fun,” Kristy says.
But despite their hard work, Kristy and her husband sometimes can’t make ends meet. Like over half of the families facing food insecurity, they both have full-time jobs but still struggle to cover all their expenses.
“We barely make enough to pay our normal bills and sometimes don’t have enough for the food our family needs,” Kristy shares.
That’s where her local food pantry comes in. During the holidays, the gift boxes her family receives are more than just food; they’re a source of hope and relief.
“It’s like opening a birthday box full of surprises, and it’s a weight lifted off your shoulders,” Kristy says.
Thanks to caring donors like you, families like Kristy’s experience the joy and togetherness the holidays bring. Your generosity provides not only meals but also stability during a challenging time.
“I don’t ever take time with family for granted,” Kristy says. And neither do we. With your support, we’re able to ensure families feel the love and cheer they deserve during the holidays and all year round.
Thank you for making the holiday season a little brighter! Families like Kristy’s are so grateful for your love and kindness.
Kristy’s story is representative of the people we serve.
Read Neighbors’ Notes of Heartfelt Thanks
“They’re doing a good job, and they’re helping a lot of people. We actually do really appreciate it. We really do.” — Casper
“We’ve been in a world of trouble, and it’s good to have people that donate, take their time and donate the work, and give the food and all that stuff. It makes a big difference.” — Ronnie
“This helps a lot. It just reduces our food bill. And the people here are so friendly, and they do a great job.” — Corky
“It’s a blessing. It’s a resource that’s needed. If we couldn’t come here, we’d be hungry.” — Andrea
“Our house is a neighborhood house, so any kids in the neighborhood that need looking after or trying to stay out of trouble, we take them to church. If they’re over when we cook, we feed them as well. … Having this means that none of the children we come in contact with or in our household go hungry. And that’s a big difference.” — Adrian
“People think veterans, because they’re disabled, that they get money from the government and that they can survive off that. It is not necessarily true. I have four girls.
… It’s still been a struggle. … I love this place. It’s a lot of help.” — Hope
Hear Frederick’s Story of Resilience
Frederick, a retired Marine and devoted father, is deeply committed to his family’s future. Every day he works to find ways to support his children as they work toward their dreams.
“My children’s future is what makes me hopeful,” Frederick says. “It’s about watching them reach their fullest potential.”
Like so many hardworking families, Frederick’s has faced challenges. Rising prices have kept his children living at home through college and made it more difficult to cover expenses.
But with the support of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Frederick was able to connect with his local food pantry. That’s where you come in! Because of supporters like you, the pantry provides fresh food and vital resources to the community, helping families like Frederick’s in difficult times.
“The [food pantry] allows me to adjust,” Frederick explains. “Like we say in the Marines, ‘Adjust, adapt, and overcome.’ They give you more tools to do just that.”
Thanks to the kindness of donors like you, people like Frederick have access to the resources needed to thrive. Your generosity doesn’t just offer meals, it gives people the hope they need during the holidays and all year round.
“Places like this allow you to avoid those impossible choices,” Frederick says. Families should not be forced to choose between basic necessities and enjoying time together. Your support gives families like Frederick’s this freedom.
Thank you for offering support and hope to families in need! People like Frederick are so grateful for your generosity!
Frederick’s story is representative of the people we serve.
After returning home from over a decade in South America, Noah and his wife dreamed of raising their sons near family and starting a business. But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit just as they launched, everything changed.
Despite everything, Noah was able to find purpose in giving back to his community. “It’s been really eye-opening to travel to parts of my home city that I otherwise wouldn’t go to and to meet people I otherwise wouldn’t meet,” he shares.
This past November, Noah was one of 500 volunteers who helped distribute holiday meals to 1,700 households. He’s especially passionate about increasing access to healthy food. “Healthy meals for an entire week delivered to people’s doors? That’s a game changer,” he says.
We’re so grateful to volunteers like Noah who give their time and heart to support their neighbors. And you, too, can make a difference — join us as a volunteer and help
bring hope to your community! Learn more at fredfood.org/volunteer.
Read the Newsletter Again
