Copyright Norfolk Virginian-Pilot
“We are tied together in the single garment of destiny, caught in an inescapable network of mutuality. And whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.” The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. How can we stand in solidarity with people adversely impacted by the month-long government shutdown? That’s the question Charvalla West, president and CEO of United Way of the Virginia Peninsula, addressed during Coming to the Table-Historic Triangle’s October meeting. The meeting was held on the same day as Gov. Glen Youngkin’s press conference to address SNAP benefits being disrupted on Saturday due to the government shutdown. Youngkin indicated that the Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance initiative would cover SNAP benefits for Virginians affected by the federal government shutdown. This program is underwritten by state emergency funds and will provide staggered weekly payments beginning on Monday. West’s presentation was eye-opening and informative. She shared that the United Way has a wide range of plans including launching a community-wide food drive to support the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank and local pantries, along with activating an emergency fund to support front-line non-profits and provide financial resources to impacted households. “We need all hands on deck,” West said. “In addition to healthy food donations, volunteers and financial assistance are needed also.” Katie Patrick, executive director of the Grove Christian Outreach Center, also attended Coming to the Table’s meeting. The center provides a neighborhood grocery market where residents can shop for free food. When asked about the types of food donations preferred, she replied, “The same foods you would want to eat. Healthy foods, milk and fresh produce.” According to data provided by the James City County Department of Social Services, 2,167 JCC households received SNAP Benefits as of Sept. 30. “We are collaborating with community partners to provide information and referrals to community resources,” Director Barb Watson said during a recent meeting with the James City County Social Services Advisory Board. U.S. Census statistics for 2023 reveal that Williamsburg had the highest poverty rate in the Historic Triangle with 18.80%. James City County followed with 7.20% and York County had the lowest with 6.50%. While people of all racial backgrounds are impacted by the government shutdown and SNAP disruption, Black, Hispanic, Indigenous and other people or color are disproportionately impacted, due to poverty levels nearly twice as high as white people. Today, the United Way of the Virginia Peninsula, Celebrate Healthcare and Virginia Peninsula Community College “built a bigger table” by joining forces to sponsor a coalition kickoff breakfast aimed at uniting community members, nonprofits and faith and business leaders to collaborate on supporting SNAP recipients. Every cloud has a silver lining. But most people are hard pressed to find the silver lining of a government shutdown that has dragged on for more than four weeks and resulted in increasing food insecurity on a national scale, which has adverse ripple effects. The shutdown and its effects have one saving grace — the potential to foster community unity! You see, strength is forged by pressure. When communities respond to extreme hardship by taking collective action to help their most vulnerable citizens, their efforts are amplified. There is strength in solidarity! There is strength in numbers! Now, more than ever, we are called to build bigger tables and tear down walls of division. How can you join in? Glad you asked! First, contact members of organizations, businesses and churches that you are affiliated with about starting a food drive. Second, obtain a list of local food pantries by contacting the United Way of the Virginia Peninsula. Then, volunteer at a food pantry or donate healthy foods. Last, but not least, make financial donations of any size to help cover utilities and living expenses that are often sacrificed to cover food bills. When we come together to build a more compassionate and unified community, we all win!
