914,000 meals (and counting) will be served thanks to donations made at the FM99 & 106.9 The Fox 28th Annual Mayflower Marathon Food Drive presented by Bud’s Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Electric.
The annual food drive took place simultaneously at five locations from 5:30am on Friday, 11/22 until 3pm on Sunday, 11/24. On the southside, the locations were Lynnhaven Mall in Virginia Beach and Kroger in North Suffolk. On the peninsula, donations were collected at Kroger at Coliseum Central in Hampton and Kroger in Tabb. And in North Carolina, there was a donation location at the Moyock Welcome Center.
All food and monetary donations collected in Virginia Beach and Suffolk went to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore. All donations made at the Hampton and Tabb locations went to the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank. All donations collected at the Moyock Welcome Center benefit the Foodbank of the Albemarle.
Carol Commander, General Manager of WNOR and WAFX: “Once again our community has come together to help our friends and neighbors who may be in need. So many listeners, sponsors, and area businesses responded to the call and we THANK YOU! Truly an incredible outpouring of generosity of so many people here in Hampton Roads. The shelves at the Foodbank are now overflowing. The FM99 and 106.9 The Fox 28th Annual Mayflower Marathon will create more than 914,000 meals! We thank the Foodbanks and everyone who made a donation!”
“Mayflower Marathon is a powerful reminder of the difference we can make for our neighbors, especially at a time when 1 in 10 people, and more children, are facing food insecurity,” said Christopher Tan, President and CEO of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore. “This year, with the growing need in our community, we are especially grateful to the donors and volunteers who made this event a success, and to FM99 and 106.9 The Fox for their unwavering commitment to ensuring the warmth of holiday meals reaches every table.”
“Food connects us in so many ways, and when it’s missing, it leaves an emptiness that impacts people’s lives. Coming together is what the holidays are about. Therefore, the generosity from our compassionate community at the Mayflower Marathon Food Drive will make the holidays fuller and brighter for families struggling with food insecurity right here at home,” said Bob Latvis, CEO of Virginia Peninsula Foodbank.
“I want to thank everyone that donated in support of Food Bank of the Albemarle for our 2nd year participating in the Mayflower Marathon Food Drive. This event has been a great opportunity to engage with new supporters, bring awareness of hunger, and most importantly to raise the necessary funds to provide the essential meals and resources for our neighbors. In total this year’s Mayflower event will enable us to provide around 20,000 meals across the 15 counties the Food Bank serves in Northeastern North Carolina. We believe that everyone should have access to nutritious, quality food not just for the holidays, but every day. Thank you to all who donated food and funds to help make that possible,” said Liz Reasoner, Executive Director of the Foodbank of the Albemarle.
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Contact:
WAFX and WNOR
Mike Beck, Operations Manager 757-366-9900; mbeck@tciradio.com
Sonja Morrell, Marketing Director 757-366-9900; smorrell@tciradio.com
Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore
Mallory Reckling, Director of Development and Marketing
757-314-4575; mreckling@foodbankonline.org
Virginia Peninsula Foodbank
Donna Tighe, Director of Development
757-596-7188 x 135; dtighe@hrfoodbank.org
Food Bank of the Albemarle
Brian Gray, Communications & Volunteer Manager
252-562-8148; brgray@afoodbank.org
About 106.9 The FOX (WAFX) and FM99 (WNOR)
106.9 The Fox (WAFX) and FM99 (WNOR) are owned by Saga Communications Inc. and serve the entire Hampton Roads region. FM99 was one of the first FM stations in the country and The Fox has been on the air in its current form for more than 30 years. As the area’s two premiere rock stations, The Fox (Classic Rock) and FM99 (mainstream rock) sponsor and participate in many community and military-oriented events throughout the year. Both stations boast some on air icons in their staff, such as Mike Arlo (The Fox) and Rick Rumble (FM99).
About Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore
Since 1981, the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore has proudly provided more than 400 million meals to our neighbors in need. Serving eleven cities and counties where one in ten neighbors are food insecure, we play a vital role in the fight against hunger by collecting, storing, and distributing nutritious food. In addition, we focus on long-term solutions towards self-sufficiency by addressing the root causes of hunger. Our mission is supported by a dedicated network of volunteers, generous donors, and compassionate community partners. Together, we strive to ensure that no one in our community goes to bed hungry. To learn more, visit foodbankonline.org or find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and TikTok.
About Virginia Peninsula Foodbank
Since 1986, Virginia Peninsula Foodbank has been leading the fight against hunger by providing healthy food access, emergency relief, education, and advocacy to families in the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, and Williamsburg, and the counties of James City, Gloucester, Mathews, Surry, and York. Not only does the Foodbank help our neighbors in need during times of hardship, the Foodbank plays a major role in disaster relief response. With the support of over 200-member agencies and programs, the Foodbank has provided over 216 million meals to families experiencing food and nutrition insecurity. The Foodbank is a proud member of Feeding America, the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, and the United Way of the Virginia Peninsula. Virginia Peninsula Foodbank has earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for 18 consecutive years. Our vision is to inspire hope by leading the effort for a hunger-free and properly nourished community. For more information, visit us online at our www.hrfoodbank.org.
About Food Bank of the Albemarle
The Mission of the Food Bank is to fight hunger and poverty in our 15 county service area in northeast North Carolina. We are a regional clearinghouse for the collection and distribution of food and grocery items to over 100 non-profit and faith-based organizations for 155 food programs, and to individuals needing assistance. For more information call (252) 335-4035 or visit www.afoodbank.org.
