Disaster Relief Food Ministry has closed its Patrick County distribution site at Rotary Field in Stuart and ended its senior food box program, but the organization continues working to address the community’s food insecurity needs.
The nonprofit implemented the changes in June.
Carol Willard, who started the group with her husband, Jimmy Willard, said he has been experiencing heart issues since February.
“He’s got like five blockages in his heart, and he was having these spells of when he would even bend over or start to do something he would almost pass out. It went out for a little bit there, and we actually had to reel him back in,” she said, noting her husband has stepped back from day-to-day responsibilities.
As a result, Willard said other volunteers stepped up to fulfill the six food box distributions the ministry had been doing monthly.
“The thing of it is though, a lot of people think it’s just coming and throwing food in a box and trucking it up the road, but it’s not. I mean it takes a lot, unless you’re here doing it you really don’t understand what it takes. It just got to where everybody was tired,” she said.
In May, when volunteers were packing the food boxes, Willard said she asked them for suggestions on how to proceed.
“This wasn’t a decision that me and Jimmy made because this isn’t just our ministry, mine and his, this is all of ours ministry. Everybody talked and they come to the conclusion that if we gave up the senior program and then close the site at Patrick County that would help alleviate some of the load,” she said.
The ministry’s board of directors approved the plan.
In a public announcement letter, the group said its volunteers have served tirelessly and their well-being is vital to continuing its mission.
“Reducing the load now allows them the necessary rest and renewed strength for the days ahead, while maintaining their compassionate connection with those we serve. Please know that this decision was made with much prayer and unity. We remain hopeful for future opportunities to grow and expand,” the letter stated.
About 600 boxes were distributed monthly through the senior program between Patrick and Henry counties.
As the group will no longer need to drive to Roanoke for senior program supplies, Willard said it expects to use the fuel savings to buy additional food for regular food boxes.
“We only closed the site at Rotary Field. We will continue to do the mobile at Ararat and Meadows of Dan, and the people have been told they can come there and pick up their food box, a regular one. They can also come down here” to Bassett, Willard said.
She added that Patrick residents were already doing that before the Rotary Field site opened.
“We just want people to know that we’re not closing down by any means,” she said.
Willard said the organization also has a volunteer pickup day when boxes are delivered to individuals.
“Most of them are elderly, they can’t get out and stuff like that. We’re still going to be able to do that. A lot of those are still distributed in Patrick County, the majority of them are in Patrick County,” she said.
As the group is affiliated with and gets food from God’s Pit Crew and Feeding Southwest Virginia, Willard said anyone in the state is eligible to receive food boxes. People can also receive boxes from multiple organizations if needed.
Ministry Fundraising Committee Chair and Board of Directors member Starr Nicholas said Patrick residents can also receive food from the Patrick County Food Bank and multiple churches.
“It’s not like we’ve completely left them. We just cut out that one center,” Nicholas said.
Those in need of an emergency food box can contact the organization for assistance.
The group distributes boxes at its Bassett location, 24A Governor Stanley Highway, on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 9-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-2 p.m.
The mobile food pantry visits Smith Brother Trucking in Ararat from 10-11:30 a.m. and Meadows of Dan Baptist Church from 1-2 p.m. the last Saturday of each month.
Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 993, Stuart, VA 24171.
For more information, visit drfminc.com, Facebook.com/DisasterReliefFoodMinistryInc, or contact Willard at (276) 229-6272 or drfm.inc@gmail.com.
