News

Blue Ridge Area Food Bank ready for area defense employee surge

Photo: Contributed/Courtesy Blue Ridge Area Food Bank


CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank is ready for any influx of people in need with the federal government shutdown, including a large contingent from the defense industry. The food bank is also expecting Shenandoah National Park employees who have been furloughed to need service.

Spokesperson Les Sinclair said the food bank is built for moments like these.

“This federal government shutdown will affect the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank because many of the people who are working as federal employees are military people

He points to the Charlottesville Area Chamber of Commerce report in 2021 showing nearly 4000 local defense jobs, and 3500 other federal works in our area. as well as the contractors and low-income households, when they stop getting paid they all face financial strains when the federal government shuts down,” Sinclair said.

“So, our plan is to be there and to stand ready, keep the faith, for no matter what comes along with our neighbors and our partners.”

Those more fortunate are urged to give at the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank website where there’s a blue “DONATE” button at the top right.

“Giving really helps maximize what we can do,” Sinclair said. “One dollar helps provide more than three meals, so if we’re in a situation where we have to purchase more food, that money goes and is used as a really good resource to make sure that our partners have the food to distribute.”

Sinclair cites a University of Virginia Weldon Cooper Center 2021 study for the Charlottesville Area Chamber of Commerce the defense industry in Charlottesville and surrounding counties of Albemarle and Greene accounted for 3972 jobs for a $642-million economic output in the area.

The total indirect impact in 2021 was 7347 jobs with $1.2-billion economic output.

A federal government documents shows employees of federal contractors could be immediately impacted as civilian employees receive their final full paycheck.

October 15 is when active-duty military, reservists and other individuals on the DOD pay schedule will miss their first paycheck. Civilian employees received a partial paycheck.

Federal civilian employees miss their first full paycheck October 29, and active-duty military, reservists, and other individuals on the DOD pay schedule will miss their second paycheck.

Latest News

4 hours ago in Albemarle County, Charlottesville City, Election, Local, Surrounding Counties

Mike Pruitt outraises incumbent John McGuire in early 5th District candidate fundraising

It's way early in a 2026 Congressional campaign, but one of the Democrats hoping to get the nomination for the 5th District Congressional seat is "excited" to have outraised Republican incumbent John McGuire in 3rd-quarter fundraising.

9 hours ago in Albemarle County, Charlottesville City, Election, Local, Surrounding Counties, Virginia Assembly

Virginia AG candidates squaring off Thursday night in Richmond

Jason Miyares and Jay Jones

Nearly two weeks after texts from the Democrats' Attorney General candidate Jay Jones fantasizing about putting bullets in the head of a former Virginia House Speaker were revealed, he will face off against Republican incumbent Jason Miyares at the University of Richmond at 6pm Thursday night.

1 day ago in Lifestyle

Walking is good for you. Walking backward can add to the benefits

Here's a simple way to switch up your walking routine, according to experts: try going backward. Taking a brisk walk is an exercise rich in simplicity, and it can have impressive mental and physical benefits: stronger bones and muscles, cardiovascular fitness and stress relief, to name a few.

1 day ago in Entertainment

A character wouldn’t leave Reese Witherspoon alone. It led to her first novel

Reese Witherspoon's first novel for adults began with the kind of inspiration veteran fiction writers know well — a character who wouldn't leave her alone.