Proposal would fund pantry infrastructure in rural, high‑poverty schools
A Blue Ridge Area Food Bank representative proposed a recurring state grant program to help schools buy refrigeration, shelving and vehicles and pay staff time so pantries can scale; commissioners asked for budget figures and a draft by October.
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A representative of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank proposed establishing a recurring state grant fund, administered by the Virginia Department of Education, to finance school pantry infrastructure and administrative support in rural and high‑poverty divisions. The presenter described needs ranging from refrigerated storage and shelving to vehicles and modest staffing for pantry operations and asked commissioners to help develop budget figures and legislative language for an October deliverable. "The 1st proposal that came forward, is what I would call school pantry infrastructure and administrative support grants," the representative said.
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