Amherst food bank feeding a growing need

MORE DONATIONS BUT FEWER DONORS, AMHERST CENTER SAYS: Josh Brooks (center) of Madison Heights, holds his daughter, Kaylee, as he and his mother, Loretta Gunter (middle left) picked up food at the New Prospect Baptist Church Food Bank on Wednesday.

The New Prospect Baptist Church Food Bank in Amherst County, a branch of Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, distributed food Wednesday to about 70 families, while serving a record 471 families last month.  In tough economic times, local food banks, including New Prospect, have seen a decrease in donations but an increase in the number depending on the service. Six or seven new families are signing up every week.

“We’re getting a lot of people losing their jobs,” says longtime volunteer Floyd Moore.

The USDA certified food bank in the Pleasant View area is open every Wednesday and Saturday, but those who qualify can use the service only once a month and must re-apply every six months.