Help us put food
on the table
Visits to VEAP’s food pantry remain at record-high levels, and now, the supply of food we rely on to meet that need is shrinking.
VEAP is now receiving 30% less food from our food bank partners compared to just a year ago, driven by cuts to The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)—a critical federal pipeline for shelf-stable staples like beans, pasta, and canned vegetables. With recent cuts to SNAP (food stamps) and Medicaid, we are expecting even greater demand for help, and are calling on our community for support.
While VEAP continues to serve more families each month, we do so with diminishing resources. Food that once came regularly through federal channels is arriving in smaller quantities—or not at all. Meanwhile, purchasing food to make up the difference is becoming less viable as prices rise and inventory fluctuates.
What’s needed now is sustained community action. Because when the public safety net is fraying, VEAP becomes the safety net. And in this moment, we need your help to hold that net strong.
Become a Sustainer’s Circle Member
Consistent, recurring financial support helps VEAP plan for the long term—even as federal resources shrink. By providing consistent, reliable funding, you help ensure that essential programs like food assistance, housing stability, and supportive services remain accessible. Please scroll down to become a member or make a one-time donation here.
James A. Winker Family Trust now generously providing a $100,000 match for all new recurring gifts!
James Winker established the family trust as a way to inspire his children to engage in charitable giving. Each of the five siblings nominated an organization they cared about, with final decisions made by family consensus. Because Alice Winker—wife of Ted, one of James’ sons—is a dedicated VEAP volunteer, the family felt it was fitting to include VEAP among the trust’s beneficiaries. “We strongly believe in VEAP’s mission and are so happy to be able to contribute,” Ted shared. Thank you, Winker family, for supporting our mission!
Donate Food
- Hold a food drive. Given our present food bank sourcing difficulties, VEAP needs your direct support with donations of food and household items. Consider holding a drive with your faith community, neighborhood, workplace, or friends and family. We have everything you need to get started here.
- Start a Giving Garden. Fresh produce funding is on the chopping block of future cuts. Help us make sure our neighbors have fresh and healthy food on the table and grow some vegetables, herbs, or fruit for our pantry. Now accepting your harvest at Door 4.
- Organize an express pack event. VEAP distributes nearly 50 express packs of shelf-stable items at our pantry every day. Support your neighbors by donating, organizing, and assembling non-perishable food items for these important kits. See what goes into an express pack here.
Be an Advocate
- Contact Your Elected Officials. Tell them why food programs like SNAP and TEFAP matter. Personal stories and local impacts make a difference—especially when lawmakers are deciding budget priorities.
- Share VEAP’s Mission. Talk to your network, post on social media (be sure to tag us!), or invite a friend to attend a quarterly Lunch and Learn at VEAP. The more people know, the more momentum we build.