VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Just over a week after the longest government shutdown in U.S. history ended, hundreds of Hampton Roads families spent their Saturday giving back at Volunteer Hampton Roads’ 27th Annual Family Volunteer Day, an event community leaders say arrived at a moment of sharply rising need.
Hosted at Regent University’s Library Plaza, the regional service event brought together dozens of nonprofits, local sheriffs’ offices, and corporate partners to pack supplies, deliver meals, and support neighbors hit hardest by the shutdown and inflation.
“We’ve seen an increased need.”
Volunteer Hampton Roads President & CEO Maerine “Mimi” Mitchell says the combination of furloughed workers, disrupted benefits, and soaring costs has magnified demand across the region.
“Since the shutdown and everything, we’ve seen an increased need for nonprofits just needing people to come to volunteer to be able to fill that need,” Mitchell said. “More people are needing food; more people are needing resources.”…