Nourishing Hearts and Minds: Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank’s Compassionate Mission

In the heart of our region, the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank (FRFB) stands as a beacon of hope dedicated to combating hunger. Through the efforts of dedicated staff and volunteers like LaToya Brown, Health Equity Coordinator, and Dan Maher, President & CEO, this organization has been a lifeline for the community since 1982. Their commitment to fighting hunger has only grown stronger as they work with approximately 150 community partners, collectively striving to address food insecurity in Caroline, King George, Orange, Spotsylvania, and Stafford counties and the City of Fredericksburg.

LaToya Brown is a passionate advocate, and her journey with FRFB initially started through her employment at Virginia Cares (one of FRFB’s partners), working with returning citizens and helping them reintegrate into the community. That experience laid the foundation for her subsequent roles within the organization and her current position as Health Equity Coordinator. As LaToya says, “I believe food is a universal love language; to fight hunger and offer healthy, nutritious food to those who need it most is one of the greatest expressions of love.”

Dan Maher joined the FRFB in early 2021, bringing experience from his tenure at the Southeast Texas Food Bank in Beaumont, Texas. Dan’s dedication to alleviating hunger in the community is driven by the universal empathy “we all share for those who experience hunger.” He firmly believes in “creating a pathway to adequate nutrition for as many people as possible.” 

The mission and philosophy of the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank stems from its core values: respect, diversity, stewardship, accountability, collaboration, teamwork, service, integrity, and advocacy. These principles guide their efforts daily and keep the community at the heart of their work. 

Food is intrinsically linked to health, and “we are committed to caring for the health of those we serve by creating equitable access to food that will nourish their well-being, not feed disease,” said LaToya. 

“Everything we do, we do in hopes that the individuals who depend on our services will be positively impacted by how we serve them and what we provide,” LaToya stated. “I enjoy meeting our neighbors. They remind me of the importance of community and how strong and resilient the human spirit is.”

Dan echoed this sentiment and added, "Our real bottom line is creating a pathway to adequate nutrition for as many people as possible.”

In addition to helping others, Dan enjoys how this work catalyzes others, saying it “stirs up something inside you.”

“Employees and volunteers within the food banking network often stay involved for years because the mission constantly evolves and the work is highly engaging. Once you get drawn into food banking, it is hard to imagine moving on to another kind of work and finding it as satisfying,” he added.

But they can’t solve the problem of hunger without you. 

“It takes the entire community engaging with a food bank’s work to truly make a difference because the scale of hunger is enormous,” explained Dan. “I cannot solve hunger; even dozens of employees and thousands of volunteers cannot. The community has to have the will to pull together, share its existing resources, redistribute those more equitably, and help those lacking food access to make greater strides towards self-sufficiency for a real difference to be made.”

If you’d like to help alleviate hunger and make a difference, check out their upcoming events, including their Turkeys and Toys Drive-Thru Distribution. This event will take place on December 16 from 10 am to 2 pm at Virginia Credit Union Stadium, and stay tuned for their annual “Canstruction” at Spotsylvania Towne Center in March. This yearly competition involves businesses, schools, and organizations building creative structures out of non-perishable food, later donated to the Food Bank, promoting creativity and community engagement. 

The impact of the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank is substantial, serving over 50,000 people across their service territory ensuring those in need have access to nourishing food. 

The scale of hunger is immense, and no single entity can solve it alone. If you’d like to be a part of the solution, visit www.fredfood.org, where you can support the food bank’s mission through financial contributions, volunteering your time and skills, or donating to the next food drive. Dan and LaToya also encourage anyone in need to download the FredFoodVA app, which allows people to find distribution sites near them and conveniently timed for their needs. 

Along with their committed team, LaToya Brown and Dan Maher, work tirelessly to nourish the bodies, hearts, and minds of those they serve. Their message is clear: to truly combat hunger, it takes the whole community working together, sharing resources, and advocating for those in need. Through their tireless efforts and unwavering commitment, the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank continues to make a profound difference in the lives of thousands.