July 15, 2026

What's New!

🍲 A Partner Spotlight: Ghent Area Ministries Turns Corn Into Comfort

One of the most heartwarming examples came from Ghent Area Ministries, where staff and volunteers transformed Foodbank‑provided corn, carrots, potatoes, and Perdue chicken into 41 quarts of Brunswick Stew. Rows of steaming containers lined their commercial kitchen, each one representing nourishment, care, and the power of shared ingredients.

🍴 Take‑Home Recipes: Easy Ways to Enjoy Fresh Corn at Home

To help families enjoy the season’s harvest in their own kitchens, we’re sharing two simple, flavorful recipes featuring fresh corn:

• Mexican Street Corn (Elote) — sweet grilled corn brushed with a tangy crema and topped with cotija cheese and cilantro.
• 4th of July Corn Salad — a colorful mix of grilled veggies, orzo, black beans, and a creamy lime‑cilantro dressing made with cottage cheese.

Congratulations!

First Lutheran Norfolk

We have had several agencies arrive to pickup their order and not have all the equipment needed to take chill/frozen product.

Please note you must have ALL of your containers and freezer blankets with you when picking up an order or we will not let you take any of your order. We want the food as safe as possible!

When we have to reschedule your order pickup, it makes it very difficult on staff.

You might be charged a restocking fee of $150!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! 

Here are some important dates to remember:

JULY 2026 



• Thursday, July 16 - Agency Advisory Council Mtg
• Friday, July 17 - Eastern Shore Agency Academy
• Friday, July 31 - Foodbank Closed for Staff Meeting

August 2026



• Friday, August 8 - Western Tidewater Coalition Meeting

July 2026

Foodbank Development Team Activities

Here's a roundup of the fundraisers, drives, and partnerships happening this month. These efforts support our mission and keep our community engaged year-round.

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🛒 Cause Marketing Campaigns

• Ongoing – BoxLunch Give-Back Campaign

Every $10 spent at BoxLunch triggers a 10¢ donation. Customers may also round up at the register.

• Ongoing – Commonwealth Crackers 1.23% Campaign

1.23% of all sales within our service area are donated to the Foodbank. Available at Pendulum Fine Meats and Vino Culture in Norfolk.

• Ongoing – RNR Tires Drive Away Hunger

$1 from every tire sold supports the Foodbank.

• Ongoing – Hubbard Peanut Company – Single Origin Peanuts

$1 from every can sold is donated to the Foodbank. These peanuts are grown in partnership with Elisha Barns on Izzie's Field as part of our Farm-to-Foodbank program.

• Ongoing – Lynnhaven Mall VIP Parking

A portion of all VIP parking fees at Lynnhaven Mall is donated to the Foodbank.

• July 30, 2025–July 29, 2026 – Cheesecake Factory Slice Campaign

25¢ from every slice of Peach Perfect Cheesecake sold is donated to the Foodbank.

• June 24–July 31, 2026 – Grocery Outlet: Independence from Hunger

Customers at the five local Grocery Outlet stores can round up their purchase, make a register donation, or purchase select products to support the Foodbank.

• July 1–31, 2026 – Neptune's Fury Coffee Co. – Hunger-Free Community Blend

$5 from every bag of Hunger-Free Community Blend coffee sold is donated to the Foodbank.

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🤝 Stakeholder Engagement

• July 30, 2026 – Quarterly CEO Behind-the-Scenes Breakfast

A quarterly opportunity for donors, volunteers, and community partners to meet with our CEO and learn more about the Foodbank's history, programs, impact, and future.

Thank you for all you do to expand our reach and connect more neighbors with the food and resources they need. We couldn't do this work without you!

Food Coming In…

Please note that these are estimated dates. Sometimes shipments change.

July 19

Canned Green Beans

Canned Peas

July 21

Diced Tomatoes

Canned Collard Greens

Vienna Sausage

Southwest Chichen w/Rice & Beans

Ramen Noodles – Chicken Flavor

Ramen Noodles – Beef Flavor

Canned Pinto Beans

Pancake Mix

Elbow Macaroni

July 28

Canned Corn

July 31

USDA Grape Juice

USDA Chicken Drumsticks

August 4

Tuna Packed in Water

Macaroni & Cheese

If you have questions or need to schedule AE3 training, please get in touch with Barbara Hayes at bahayes@foodbankonline.org.

Standing Delivery Appointment Instructions for AE3 click here

Agency Express Instructions

click here

PLEASE ADD YOUR AGENCY NUMBER AND NAME ON

ALL PAYMENTS!

Paying with a check or money order?

Please Send All Payments To:

FOODBANK OF SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA

AND THE EASTERN SHORE

800 Tidewater Drive

Norfolk, VA 23504

Tell us the whole story! 

We haven't heard from you! The Foodbank's Leadership Team, Board of Directors, and Feeding America would like to better understand what you do. Please take the time to complete the "Beyond Food Assistance" Questionnaire. Help others understand the work that you do and the indispensable nature of your immense contribution to the Foodbank's mission.  

Check out the Resources section to see the latest updates:

Bon Secours Hampton Roads July 2026 Care-A-Van Schedule, Bank On free financial education and coaching, and other new information updated 7/1/26.

Service Insights Help Center/Toolbox

Attention SIMC Agencies! Want to know how to run a basic Snapshot Overview Report or add new users to your SIMC account? Visit the SIMC Toolbox filled with great info and guides to help your team build their skill using Service Insights. 

Have a SIMC Question? Emily has the answer!

She can be reached at esettlemire@foodbankonline.org or 757-201-6286.

Stronger Together on the Shore

Updates that keep us connected!

Want to make a bigger impact on the health of the neighbors you serve? Explore the Learning Center—your one-stop resource for video tutorials and practical information designed for food bank partner agencies. Learn how to:

• Provide effective health education
• Connect neighbors to community resources
• Create a neighbor-centered pantry experience

 CLICK HERE to explore the Learning Center and learn about healthy nutrition choices!

Introduction to the FY26 Healthy Pantry Initiative (HPI) Assessment Report

The Federation is pleased to share the final report for the FY26 Healthy Pantry Initiative (HPI) Assessment. This report summarizes responses from partner agencies across the state that completed the HPI Assessment survey between January and March 2026.

Use the link below to view the complete report!

Grand Opening of 5th Grocery Outlet Bargain Market

Pictured, Leonna Benson with representatives from RESET, Inc. and Centerville Chapel AME Church.

The opening of the 5th Grocery Outlet in the Hampton Roads region marks the completion of the retailer’s expansion into our area — and strengthens our shared commitment to reducing food waste and nourishing our community.

The Foodbank’s Retail Rescue Program is proud to partner with this new location once again. Two dedicated agency partners — RESET, Inc. and Centerville Chapel AME Church — will provide food‑rescue pickups every Tuesday and Friday, ensuring high‑quality surplus food reaches neighbors who need it most.

In addition, RESET, Inc. was selected as the community partner recipient of a $1,000 donation in recognition of its mission and the vital work it carries out across Hampton Roads.

This contribution reflects Grocery Outlet’s ongoing investment in local organizations that uplift and strengthen our community.

Congratulations RESET, Inc. and thank you Grocery Outlet!

Enter through the doors of Agape Food Pantry, where a dedicated group of volunteers shows up every week to help their community. From shopping for food, to picking up orders at the Foodbank, to packing and organizing, growing and gleaning product from their small farm, and eventually, to distributing the food to those in need - these volunteers do it all. Their choice pantry serves a little more than 100 households per week. Watch this video, and you'll find yourself falling in love with the volunteers that make this happen every single week without fail - the community couldn't function without them.

Thank you, Agape Food Pantry @ Great Bridge UMC!!

Important Reminders:

It's Summertime!!

The quality of the food you eat powerfully impacts your body's health. Every meal and snack is an opportunity to choose nutritious and delicious foods.

THANK YOU PARTNER AGENCIES, FOR KEEPING FOOD ON THE PLATES OF OUR NEIGHBORS!