We're so fortunate to be the place where families go to have fun and make everlasting memories. Seeing a smile on a guests face means another successful day's work. The only thing better is when we have the opportunity to take that goodwill and spread it out amongst the community.
Recently, we donated more than 4,000 pounds of fresh produce, dairy products and packaged food to the Grove Christian Outreach Center.
The Grove community is designated by the US Department of Agriculture as a food desert due to low income levels and the lack of access to healthy, affordable foods at a nearby grocery store. Food deserts contribute to food insecurity and are a principle cause of hunger in the United States.
That's where the the Grove Christian Outreach Center comes in. The Center helps people living in the small community along Route 60 south of the Virginia theme park and distributed the food to residents who need assistance putting food on their tables.
Pat McCormick, Executive Director of the Grove Outreach Center, said approximately 14,500 food-insecure individuals live in the City of Williamsburg, James city and York counties. In 2013, the overall food insecurity rate in James City County was 9.3 percent with an estimated 6,310 food-insecure individuals living in the community.
We, along with the outreach center, are testing a pilot program in which the park donates our surplus fresh, frozen and packaged food items to the center. Lindsey Mair, a buyer for the park's culinary department and a Grove Outreach Center volunteer, is spearheading this new intiative.
"Our intent is to put our surplus food to good use and not let it go to waste," she said.
The food donated will reach its expiration date before the park opens for the 2016 season on March 20. According to Lindsey, food opportunities arise throughout the year following large-scale park events or after the park's menu transition from summer operations to Howl-O-Scream and Christmas Town.
Lindsey, along with our park president, vice president of culinary operations, and James City Supervisor John MCGlennon, volunteered at the Grove Outreach Center to help distribute the food that the park and other local businesses donated.
"It's important that residents in Grove have access to good, nutritious foods in their own community." McCormick said.
Many Grove residents are on a fixed income or disability, or simply do not have sufficient employment income to meet all of their household needs each month. Providing food to them through structured outreach programs helps eliminate their dilemma of having to choose between paying their rent, utilities, medical bills or food, McCormick said.
She added that it's critical to nonprofit organizations like the Outreach Center to have the support of individuals and businesses in the community to help meet the growing request for food assistance.
We applaud the Grove Christian Outreach Center for the work that they're doing and thank them for this opportunity to give back to our community.
For more information on the Grove Outreach Christian Center, click here.
To learn more about the park's outreach efforts, click here.