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Sheriff Morgan to host 2023 Dr. King food drive

Written by Public Information Office on .

2023 Day of Service 768x432To honor the legacy of hope and community service of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Newport News Sheriff Gabe Morgan will host the 2023 Day of Service Food Drive on January 16, 2023, to support the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank. 

This event to provide essential support to Peninsula residents in need was started seven years ago by now-retired Newport News Mayor McKinley Price.  Sheriff Morgan has supported the event through the years and is spearheading the drive for 2023. 

“We are so grateful to Sheriff Morgan and other elected officials and church leaders for continuing the important work that they and former Mayor Price began in 2017.  Through the years, the food and funds that have been donated on this one day of service have provided tens of thousands of meals to the Peninsula community,” says Foodbank CEO Karen Joyner.  

foodbank donation with mayor sheriff 2021 768x576Here is a list of the most-needed food items:

Frozen turkeys, canned meats (tuna, chicken, spam), hearty meaty soups, instant potatoes, family-size box rice, Jasmine rice, spaghetti/pasta meals, jelly, canned fruits (low sugar) and vegetables (low salt), gravy, cereals, 100% juice, canned beans (pinto, black, kidney, garbanzo), baby food and formula.   

Financial donations go a long way and it’s easy to give online.

“Monetary donations allow the Foodbank to purchase fresh produce and other nutritious foods at reduced rates when food donations alone do not keep up with the demand for our services,” Joyner explains.

foodbank family check 300x225Please click here for the Just Giving MLK Day of Service campaign to make a financial donation.

There are several places throughout Newport News where you can drop off food donations through January 12.  You’ll find designated collection boxes at the following locations: 

  • Courthouse Way Community Center lobby
  • Denbigh Community Center lobby
  • Brittingham-Midtown Community Center lobby
  • Riverview Gymnastics Center lobby
  • City Hall lobby
  • Visitor Center at Newport News Park
  • Tourism Office, 702 Town Center Drive at City Center
  • Newport News City Offices lobby, Fountain Plaza Two at City Center

No donation is too small and each gift to the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank will stay in the community to help families facing food insecurity. We ask that you commit to making a difference in the lives of our neighbors by donating during the Day of Service Food Drive.