Sentara Cares grant helps feed Hampton Roads’ military families
Debbie Brinkley, ASYMCAHR Grants Manager
Putting food on the table in Hampton Roads, where thousands of military families live, can be difficult for junior enlisted service members. But thanks to a Sentara Cares grant, hope, and groceries, are reaching the families who need them most.
What is food insecurity?
When families cannot afford or consistently access adequate meals, they face a challenge known as food insecurity. Food security isn’t just about the quantity of food; it’s also about having the right quality that meets nutritional needs.
According to the Military Family Advisory Network, one in five military and veteran families face this challenge, which can lead to difficult decisions like buying food or paying rent. Active-duty military families with children experience food insecurity at a higher rate than those without children.
Patriot’s Pantry Food Program
Sentara has supported the Armed Services YMCA of Hampton Roads (ASYMCAHR) for the past two years with grants to their Patriot’s Pantry food distribution program. The Patriot’s Pantry serves active-duty service members and their families across the Southside, Peninsula and Western Tidewater. Most recipients are junior-enlisted families who often fall into low-to-moderate-income brackets.
The grant money is used to purchase food for the main pantry in Virginia Beach, stock their mobile pantry deliveries and fund Operation Holiday Joy, which provides full Thanksgiving meals.
“We are so grateful for Sentara’s support,” says Debbie Brinkley, grants manager. “Their investment has had a huge impact.”
Food distribution by the numbers
In just the first three months of 2025, ASYMCAHR donated over 8,800 pounds of food. That’s the rough equivalent of the weight of three midsize SUVs!
Since January 2024, the pantry has provided food and essential supplies to more than 10,000 individuals in the community. In just the first three months of 2025, it has served approximately 200 families each month, reaching over 1,500 children and 3,000 adults. These numbers reflect the pantry’s commitment to addressing the growing need for support in the community.
“There’s a wonderful variety of healthy foods from fresh vegies to fruit to eggs and milk,” shares a recent pantry patron. “It really helps the entire military community when you struggle to put food on the table for an entire month.”
Judgment-free zone
Active-duty families consider ASYMCAHR a trusted resource.
“We understand the struggles these families face and show them respect when they receive assistance,” Brinkley says. “We are a judgment-free zone.”
Thanks to the Sentara grant and community donations, the Patriot’s Pantry has expanded its reach in the community and is able to offer additional items, a difference being felt by those it serves.
“We offer a wide variety of dry goods, refrigerated foods, some allergy-free foods and even snacks,” says Taylor Crabb, Food Program Coordinator. “Families get to ‘shop’ for what they need instead of just being handed a bag of groceries.”
To make the pantry experience even more supportive, ASYMCAHR designed a “guilt-free” snack shelf, items that families can choose without counting toward the pantry’s per-family shopping weight limit.
The snack shelf is popular with children, who get to pick something “for fun” and not just what’s needed. Crabb says the kids enjoy helping their parents pick out food, and she loves getting to know the children and family members.
“I just love hugging the babies,” she laughs.
More than just food
Through a collaboration with the Greater Hampton Roads Diaper Bank, ASYMCAHR keeps diapers in stock, some of the pantry’s most popular items. The pantry sometimes has donations of highly valuable items like specialty baby formula, which can save families hundreds of dollars and critical peace of mind.
One Girl Scout even donated her time and developed recipe cards using pantry items, working alongside local chefs to design easy, nutritious meals for military families.
Small moments, significant impact
Sometimes, it’s the small, unexpected moments that show just how much the pantry matters.
ASYMCAHR Executive Director Laura Baxter remembers one afternoon when a young couple came in for the first time. After they stopped by the pantry, they planned to buy a birthday cake for their son. The cake was an expense weighing on their minds.
“They opened our refrigerator door and saw that a birthday cake was available,” Baxter says. “They were so grateful. It meant they didn’t have to spend money on something important, but that they considered more of an indulgence.”
Moments like that highlight the pantry’s role beyond simply providing food-it offers dignity, joy and relief.
Baxter notes that many military families are also responsible for supporting additional relatives, stretching their resources even thinner.
Reaching families at home
For families who cannot easily get to the main pantry, ASYMCAHR’s Mobile Pantry-also supported in part by the Sentara grant – brings food directly into military housing areas. Pre-filled bags of essentials meet the most common needs, chosen with input from the communities served.
“We pick locations based on where the fewest families have cars, so they can just walk up and grab what they need,” Crabb explains.
Whether stocking shelves, delivering meals, or helping children pick a snack, the ASYMCAHR team sees every interaction as an opportunity to serve those who serve our nation.
“Thanks to Sentara, we can make life a little easier for our military families,” says Brinkley. “It’s a reminder that they are valued and supported.”
