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Patrick County honors Jimmy and Carol Willard for 13 years of disaster relief food ministry
Summary
The Patrick County Board of Supervisors issued a proclamation recognizing Jimmy and Carol Willard and the Disaster Relief Food Ministry for more than a decade of volunteer service; founder Jimmy Willard described ongoing home delivery efforts and the ministry's scale in public comment.
The Patrick County Board of Supervisors on March 9 issued a proclamation honoring Jimmy and Carol Willard and the Disaster Relief Food Ministry for 13 years of volunteer humanitarian service and hunger relief in the county and the region.
The proclamation, read by the board, says the ministry began after Jimmy Willard acted on a spiritual calling in October 2012, was organized as a 501(c)(3) in April 2013 and "has successfully scaled its operations to distribute over 11,588 boxes and more than 468,050 pounds of food annually." It also lists partnerships with organizations including God’s Pit Crew and Feeding Southwest Virginia and notes the ministry remains volunteer-run and debt free despite a temporary redirection of operations in June 2025 due to the founder's health.
During the meeting’s public comment period Willard addressed the board and audience. "My name is Jimmy Willard. I'm just an old sinner saved by God's grace," he said, describing the ministry’s origins and outreach. Willard said volunteers deliver roughly 200 home deliveries a month and operate distributions in Ararat and Meadows of Dan; he also said the ministry has acquired a refrigerated Kenworth truck to reach more remote, rural residents.
Board members and attendees applauded the recognition and thanked Willard and the ministry’s volunteers for their work.
The board’s proclamation encouraged continued donations and volunteer support to sustain the ministry’s mission in the county’s rural communities.
