Annual Report 2018-19

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, FOOD PANTRIES & BACKPACK PROGRAM NRCA assisted 3,884 unduplicated individuals with temporary assistance alleviating their financial crises. Food pantries provided emergency nutrition to 3,956 individuals and the Floyd Backpack Program fed 219 students on weekends during the school year. NRCA’s Emergency Assistance Programs serve low-income families who are experiencing financial crises. Temporary assistance may include vouchers for utility payments, rent, medications, clothing, or gasoline for transportation to a job or medical appointment. With offices located in each of the five New River Valley jurisdictions, staff and volunteers also operate six emergency food pantries. Information and referrals help program participants obtain needed support from both inside and outside the NRCA network of services. The NRCA Emergency Assistance Programs & Food Pantries are supported primarily through local contributions. The United Way of New River Valley, foundations, faith-based organizations, civic groups, businesses, and individuals provide funds to operate the programs in each locality. Duplication of services is avoided through collaboration with partner agencies and churches.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT During 2018-19, NRCA’s Emergency Assistance Programs devel- oped exciting new partnerships and support throughout the New River Valley. We partnered with The Campus Kitchen at Virginia Tech whose staff delivered a large amount of fresh food for our residents in Pulaski County. The Campus Kitchen provided families with sever- al days of fruit, vegetables and different types of breads. NRCA look- ing forward to growing this partnership with The Campus Kitchen, our goal is to provide fresh food monthly for the families we serve in each of our five New River Valley jurisdictions. First NRV Credit Union choose our Radford Emergency Assistance Program to be the recip- ient of their office donation. Their support allowed us to provide ad- ditional assistance to families needing help with their utility bills. Several generous fraternities, sororities and service groups from Radford University and Virginia Tech held fundraisers and donation drives, collecting non-perishable foods, hygiene products and school supplies for our Radford/Fairlawn, Giles County, Floyd County, Pulas- ki County and Montgomery County area offices. The support from the communities makes it possible for us to help New River Valley families in need.

NRCA and Campus Kitchen at Virginia Tech staff unload contributions in Pulaski County. Photo by Cat Piper

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