This weekend is the 10th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks, and one activity that Governor McDonnell would like Virginians to do in commemoration is to help those who can’t help themselves. His administration, along with the AARP of Virginia, the Central Virginia Food Bank, and NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon, have coordinated a statewide effort to help the hungry, especially the elderly population.
Gordon will not only take part in a NASCAR race in Richmond, but also the Drive to End Hunger, which has already donated $10,000 to the Central Virginia Food Bank. But Gordon also issued a challenge to racing fans and others—to text the word “Hunger” to 50555.
“Every contribution is a $10 donation when you text that and for every one that happens, I’m going to match it myself personally.”
Gordon says he’s so passionate about these types of initiatives because the U.S. is a rich country, but millions describe themselves as being food insecure or not having money for food.
The Governor says as many as 16% of Virginians fit that description. “That’s tough–we’re the eighth most prosperous state in terms of income per capita in America and yet we’ve got that, so I am very much committed to helping the food banks, the Ruritan club, the AARP, Americorps, all these other great groups that are working on this.”
They’ve also coordinated a community food drive September 9th and 10th in which 150 collection sites will accept food donations statewide.
–Tommie McNeil
Virginia Public Radio 