Stafford County Public Schools (Stafford Schools) is pleased to announce the 14th annual Band Together to Fight Hunger, organized by Stafford Countyâs five high school marching bands, raised $27,593 and collected 3,778 pounds of food this year, equating to 58,333 meals for the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank. The culminating event featured individual performances by each marching band from Brooke Point, Colonial Forge, Mountain View, North Stafford, and Stafford High Schools. Nearly 400 student musicians performed in a combined finale, led by North Stafford High School Assistant Principal Brandon Neal, showcasing unity and talent while supporting local families in need.
Contributions at a Glance:
Total Funds Raised: $27,593 (equivalent to 55,185 meals)
Food Collected: 3,778 pounds (equivalent to 3,148 meals)
Total Impact: 58,333 meals
Significant donations were made by businesses and community organizations, including Chick-fil-A, Manhattan Pizza, Outback Steakhouse, and the Student Organization for Change at the University of Mary Washington. Volunteers from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Boy Scout Troop #2220, Girl Scout Troop #15, and other groups played a critical role in the event’s success.
Community Support Drives Success
This yearâs contributions reflect the ongoing community need, as many families continue to face food insecurity due to rising costs and economic challenges. The Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank will distribute the donations to local pantries and feeding programs. Since its inception, Band Together to Fight Hunger has generated over 400,000 meals for local families.
For more information about Band Together to Fight Hunger or to support the effort, contact Debbie Pickeral at [email protected]. For more information about Stafford County Public Schools visit www.staffordschools.net.
Band Together’s 2016 Joint Performance (Photo | Stafford Schools)
Stafford County Public Schools will host its 14th annual Band Together to Fight Hunger Program on November 4, 2024. The event will be held at Mountain View High School at 7 p.m.
In 2005, Mountain View High School welcomed its first Band Director, Doug Armstrong, a Virginia Tech graduate who helped establish Hokies for the Hungry, a fundraiser supporting the local food bank in Blacksburg, VA. Inspired by this, Armstrong created Band Together to Fight Hunger in Stafford County to help the community. The annual event gathers five high school marching bandsâMountain View, Colonial Forge, Stafford, Brooke Point, and North Staffordâto perform their shows.
Approximately 397 students will participate this year. Admission to the event is a donation of non-perishable food items. The event holds a concession stand, offers a 50/50 lottery, and sells âshout-outsâ that family members can use to send messages to their band students. T-shirts and sweatshirts are also available for purchase. All proceeds from concessions, lottery, merchandise, and shoutouts go to the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank.
Coordinated by band parents from all five schools, alongside Deirdra Hazeley, Coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts, and Hunter Berry, Director of Engagement for Stafford County Public Schools, the event serves as a season finale for the marching bands. Each performs its halftime show, followed by a combined performance with a guest conductor. Over the past 13 years, the event has provided more than 350,000 meals to the food bank, with 2023 marking a record 56,786 meals.
For 2024, the goal is set at 50,000 meals. Donations may also be made online.
Mountain View High School is located at 2135 Mountain View Road.
[Image: Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank]Virginia Credit Union (VACU) and the Fredericksburg Nationals have donated $11,710 to address hunger and food insecurity in the Central Rappahannock River area through their Strikeout Hunger campaign. Over the past three years, their combined efforts have contributed $32,710, providing 65,420 meals to those in need.
Press Release:
Virginia Credit Union (VACU) and the Fredericksburg Nationals have donated $11,710 to combat hunger and food insecurity in the Central Rappahannock River area. Through a partnership with the FredNats, the Fredericksburg-based minor league baseball team, VACU makes a $5 donation to the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank for every strikeout recorded by the Nationalsâ pitchers during the course of the season. The FredNats matched VACUâs $5,855 donation.
âWeâre grateful for the good work of the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank in helping alleviate hunger in our community,â said Virginia Credit Union President/CEO Chris Shockley. âWe know the food bank continues to see a surge in the demand for assistance, and VACU is proud to lend a helping hand.â
In its third year, the Strikeout Hunger campaign is one of many VACU initiatives to aid the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank, which serves the city of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Orange, Spotsylvania and Stafford. Members and employees of VACU also support area food banks through food drives, volunteer work days, and other fundraisers.
VACU and the FredNats have contributed $32,710 during the past three years to the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank, which equates to 65,420 meals for our neighbors in need.
“Teamwork and partnership are essential to the work we do,” said Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank President/CEO Dan Maher. “Virginia Credit Union and the FredNats show great teamwork and great community awareness in committing $5 toward hunger relief for every strikeout by FredNats pitchers. We are honored to partner with them to make their community spirit tangible to those who rely on our services.”
About the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank
The Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank helps to provide nutritious food to more than 46,000 people through a network of 235 community partners operating more than 330 food assistance programs. Learn more at fredfood.org.
About the FredNats
The Fredericksburg Nationals are a Minor League Baseball team and a Single-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. They play home games at Virginia Credit Union Stadium, located in Fredericksburg. Learn more at milb.com/fredericksburg.
About Virginia Credit Union
A financial cooperative serving almost 500,000 members, Virginia Credit Union and its Member One Division offer a variety of affordable banking services, loans, mortgages, and free financial education resources, with a focus on helping people be more confident with their finances. Virginia Credit Union and its Member One Division are equal housing opportunity lenders and are federally insured by the NCUA.
