The holiday season is a time for giving, and Giving Tuesday is the perfect opportunity to make a difference in Chesterfield County. As the Executive Director of the Chesterfield Food Bank Outreach Center (CFBOC), I'm often asked about how people can support our mission of fighting hunger and empowering lives. So, in the spirit of Giving Tuesday, let me answer some of the most frequently asked questions.
What is Giving Tuesday?
Giving Tuesday is a global movement that encourages people to do good. It takes place annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, serving as a counterbalance to the commercialism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The goal is to inspire charitable actions, whether through volunteer work, advocating for important causes, or making financial contributions to nonprofits such as CFBOC.
Why is Giving Tuesday important?
At Chesterfield Food Bank Outreach Center, we rely heavily on the generosity and ongoing support of individuals and businesses in our community to achieve our mission. Giving Tuesday provides a dedicated day for people to focus on giving back, which makes a significant impact on organizations like ours that are working to fight hunger and its underlying causes. The influx of volunteers, donations, and awareness generated on Giving Tuesday helps sustain our programs and allows us to care for even more people in need within Chesterfield County.
How can I get involved with Giving Tuesday?
There are many ways you can support the CFBOC this Giving Tuesday:
Make a financial contribution. Financial donations from individuals and businesses allow us to purchase nutritious food, upgrade our facilities, and develop new initiatives to address food insecurity. Every dollar makes a difference, and we're grateful for contributions of any size. At CFBOC, we can feed one person for every 25 cents received. You can donate securely on our website or by contacting us to make a corporate donation.
Volunteer your time. Our work would not be possible without the commitment of our amazing volunteers. We have opportunities available for individuals, families, and groups of all sizes to sort donations or help with various administrative tasks. Visit our website to learn more and sign up.
Spread the word. Help us raise awareness about Giving Tuesday and the ongoing need for support in Chesterfield County. Share our social media posts on Facebook and Instagram, or tell your friends and family about our work, or write a blog post or letter to the editor about the importance of fighting hunger locally.
Organize a food or fund drive. Rallying your colleagues, neighbors, or community group to collect nonperishable items or monetary donations is a fantastic way to make a big impact. We can provide you with the resources and guidance to make your food drive a success here or contact us directly
What impact will my Giving Tuesday contribution have?
Your support, whether through volunteering, donating, or advocating, will directly translate to tangible results in the lives of our neighbors facing food insecurity. Last year, with the help of our generous community, the CFBOC was able to:
Distribute over 1.2 million pounds of food to more than 25,000 individuals
Provide emergency food assistance to over 3,500 families
Offer nutrition education classes that empowered 800 people to make healthier choices
Connect 1,000 people with additional social services and resources
This Giving Tuesday, you have the power to build on these achievements and help us do even more. By working together, we can fight hunger, empower lives, and create a stronger, more resilient Chesterfield County.
I hope this has provided you with the information you need to get involved with Giving Tuesday. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. I look forward to seeing the incredible impact our community can make when we come together for this special day of giving.
Thank you for your support!
Kim Piper Hill
CEO, Chesterfield Food Bank Outreach Center