Food Assistance
Dear PCPS Community,
We know that the ongoing federal government shutdown and the potential changes to government support programs are impacting many of our PCPS Families.
We want to make sure that our students, staff, families, and our entire community know that there are resources available to support them during this time
I have included below a list of resources and information that are available.
Free Meals for All PCPS Students
All PCPS Students can receive free breakfast and lunch during the instructional day. There are no forms or eligibility requirements.
Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA)
Governor Youngkin has launched an emergency state-funded food assistance program, which began on November 3, 2025. VENA benefits will be issued via the existing electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card that SNAP recipients currently hold. VENA benefits will be issued weekly in the hope that the federal shutdown will end soon.
Please visit www.dss.virginia.gov/VENA for more information as it becomes available.
Local Food Pantries
Local food pantries can be found within the area, including:
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The Hope Center Food Pantry by Downtown Churches United located at 827 Commerce Street
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Food Pantry by Faith and Hope Temple located at 1800 E. Washington Street
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Food Pantry by Petersburg Seventh-Day Adventist Church located at 300 Poplar Drive
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Food Bank by Emmanuel New Birth Church of God in Christ located at 7204 Boydton Plank Road
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Food Pantry from House of Restoration Church located at 210 S. Market Street
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CARES Resource Center Food Pantry by Crisis Assistance Response Emergency Shelter (CARES) located at 118 E. Washington Street
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Food pantry by Jesus Way Fellowship Center located at 660 S. Crater Road
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Colonial Heights Food Pantry located at 530 Southpark Boulevard
Food Boxes
The Crater Health District, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Health and Feed More, are offering food boxes to those in need. For more information, visit the VDH website.
Virginia Cares Initiative
On November 4, Governor Youngkin announced the launch of the Virginia Cares Initiative, which is a food drive to support Virginians impacted by the ongoing federal government shutdown. The initiative will provide food assistance to those not covered under the Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) program — including federal employees, Virginians who support our military who are awaiting pay, and approximately Virginians newly eligible for SNAP benefits this month but who are unable to access them due to the federal shutdown. Click the link to learn more about the Virginia Cares Initiative.
If you need support finding assistance programs, including food pantries and financial assistance, you can visit the findhelp website. .
Sincerely,
Yolonda C. Brown
Superintendent