CORRECTIONS

Greene County Record Staff
Published: July 25, 2008

In a July 10 article appearing on A1—“Local food banks struggle with less”—it was stated that the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Network “lost a food supplier,“ referring to America’s Second Harvest.
America’s Second Harvest is the nation’s largest charitable hunger-relief organization, and the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Network (BRAFNB) continues to be one of over 200 regional member food banks and food rescue programs served by America’s Second Harvest.

It was stated that America’s Second Harvest “lost one of its major suppliers,“ referring to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Though amounts have declined, The USDA continues to donate food to banks here in Virginia and beyond.
It was stated that on the national level, “there has been a significant drop in help from donors.“ At the national office of America’s Second Harvest, there have been increases in donations of both food and funds over the previous year.
It was stated that at local levels, “donations have dropped 99 percent in the last year, while demand is up 20 percent from a year ago - and in some places up far more.“
Ninety-nine percent of the food banks in the America’s Second Harvest Network report that demand is up by an average of 20 percent over a year ago. Many have said that demand is up by far more than 20 percent, says Ross Fraser, America’s Second Harvest media relations manager.