CAPE CHARLES, VA – In an effort to help sack hunger on the Eastern Shore and in Southeastern Virginia, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel will be partnering with the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, and its branch, the Foodbank on the Eastern Shore, as it conducts a Superbowl Food Blitz, beginning Friday, January 30 through Sunday, February 1, 2009. 

Toll collectors will be accepting non-perishable food items for the Foodbank at each of the toll plazas.  “The employees and Commissioners of the CBBT are hopeful that this Food Blitz over Superbowl weekend will substantially increase non-perishable food stocks on both sides of the Bay that can be disseminated to those in need,” stated Jeff Holland, Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. 

During the 2007-2008 fiscal year, the Foodbank distributed over 10.3 million pounds of food to almost 250,000 individuals, 20,000 on the Eastern Shore alone.  The Eastern Shore branch of the Foodbank currently distributes over 600,000 pounds of emergency food.  Food donated at tollbooths on the Eastern Shore will remain at the Eastern Shore branch, while food donated at tollbooths in Virginia Beach will be utilized by the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia main location.

 “The need is tremendous, with almost all of our food pantries reporting record numbers of families seeking assistance,” said Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia Eastern Shore Branch Manager Charmin Horton.  “We’ve already seen an increase of more than 23% since last year and anticipate even greater numbers if our economy continues to weaken.”