On Tuesday, August 30, Virginia Delegate Danica Roem visited the Haymarket Regional Food Pantry to present a Commonwealth of Virginia Commending Resolution HR154 for the Food Pantry. In her opening remarks, Delegate Roem noted her commitment to food insecurity in the region and her ongoing support of local agencies doing work for constituents. Ms. Roem said, “I applaud the efforts of the Haymarket Regional Food Pantry who work tirelessly through their all-volunteer organization to meet the needs of the 13th District constituents.”
Reading the Commending Resolution, Ms. Roem emphasized “The Haymarket Regional Food Pantry strives to ensure that all local residents have access to a sufficient amount of nutritious food and offers food assistance to anyone in need, regardless of financial status.” She continued “in 2021 the Haymarket Regional Food Pantry served nearly 1,700 clients each month and distributed a total of 220,000 pounds of food…the organization has also developed partnerships with local farmers to offer fresh produce” for their clients.”
Accepting the award, Eileen Smith, Executive Director of the Haymarket Regional Food Pantry noted that in 2021 over 38,000 individuals had received food assistance from the organization and in 2022 the numbers show that even more families will benefit from the Pantry. “Last week alone we had 22 new families request help. In previous months we saw 5 new families weekly – due to escalating gas prices, increasing food prices and a general unease with the economy, the need is growing exponentially,” Smith added.
On hand at the ceremony were many of the HRFP’s long-time corporate and community donors – Wegmans, R.W. Murray, Fairway Mortgage, Regency Dominion Valley and the Dominion Women’s Club as well as volunteer leaders for the Pantry. Invited but unable to attend were the Heritage Hunt Giving Circle, Pete Candland, Gainesville Supervisor and Jeanine Lawson, Brentsville Supervisor.