Virginia Credit Union and Member One Donate $22,500 to Support Food Security Initiatives in Southwest and Central Virginia

Virginia Credit Union and its Member One division have donated a combined $22,500 to three organizations working to combat hunger and food insecurity in Southwest and Central Virginia. The donations support Feeding Southwest Virginia, Lynchburg Daily Bread, and Blue Ridge Area Food Bank as part of the credit union's ongoing commitment to addressing one of the most pressing needs facing communities across its service area.

"We know that food insecurity is an ongoing concern in our communities, affecting many of our neighbors," said Tim Rowe, VACU's Western Region Market President. "We're incredibly proud to support these valued partners, whose work makes a meaningful difference for the children, families, seniors, and veterans facing hunger. These organizations address a vital, critical need in our communities, and Virginia Credit Union is honored to stand alongside them as they provide nutritious food and a helping hand to hundreds of thousands of people."

VACU focuses its charitable giving and community engagement efforts on four key pillars: children's health and wellness, financial education, food security, and community well-being. This strategic focus enables the credit union to have a greater impact in areas that most closely align with its mission and position as a trusted community partner.

The credit union's most recent food security donations include:

• A $15,000 donation to Feeding Southwest Virginia will support its mission of nourishing neighbors across southwest Virginia. The organization serves more than 127,000 individuals each month through a network of food pantries and programs across 26 counties and nine cities in the region.

• A $2,500 donation to Lynchburg Daily Bread will aid its daily operations. Since 1982, the organization has served hot, nutritious lunches every day of the year, including weekends and holidays, to anyone who needs a meal. The organization serves lunch daily at its location on Clay Street in Lynchburg and also operates a Meals Outreach Program at 16 locations throughout the Greater Lynchburg area.

• A $5,000 donation to Blue Ridge Area Food Bank will support its work improving food security through equitable access to good nutrition and resources that support health and well-being. Each month, the Food Bank supports an average of 171,200 guest visits, reaching Virginians through a network of 400- plus community partners — food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and program sites.

In 2025, VACU and Member One donated more than $67,500 to a dozen food banks, pantries and urban farms all across its communities — from the New River Valley to Fredericksburg. Credit union staff also contributed more than 200 volunteer hours to these organizations.

Among the highlights of our work in 2025 was the expansion of the credit union’s popular Strikeout Hunger initiative, which featured partnerships with Minor League Baseball teams in Salem, Lynchburg, Pulaski, Richmond, and Fredericksburg. Through Strikeout Hunger, the credit union donates to local food security organizations based on the number of strikeouts recorded by our partner teams’ pitchers.

Committed to making a positive impact in their communities, VACU and its Member One division donated nearly $1.5 million to local charities and community organizations, including their contributions to food security organizations; invested $1.3 million in financial education initiatives; and contributed more than 2,100 volunteer hours to support nonprofits and community partners across Virginia.