RICHMOND, Va. — Nov. 8, 2018 — The City of Hopewell is one of the more economically challenged areas near Richmond, Virginia. As a result, many individuals and families struggle to afford basics like food. To help those struggling to meet basic food security needs, the Alsco branch in Richmond, Virginia, has donated to the Hopewell Food Pantry. “The Hopewell Food Pantry is a nonprofit that our branch is very invested in,” says Tony Beam, general manager of the Richmond, Virginia, Alsco branch. “We have production staff members who volunteer with the Hopewell Food Pantry. We also try to help support individuals using the pantry’s services who are looking for work by posting recruitment information for jobs at our branch.” With Thanksgiving just around the corner, the Hopewell Food Pantry intends to use Alsco’s donation to help provide a Thanksgiving holiday meal to the families they serve. The Pantry has provided food for 4,555 family units this year, approximately the same number it has served for the last seven years. The Hopewell Food Pantry was organized in 1983 by a group of local churches to provide emergency food to individuals and families who were in temporary crisis. Over the past 30 years, the Hopewell Food Pantry has expanded its mission to serve all Hopewell families who are in need of food, with an emphasis on seniors and the disabled. In addition to a financial donation, the Richmond Alsco branch also supports the Hopewell Food Pantry through a Christmas food drive and a linen donation for holiday events. “We really believe in the pantry’s mission and want to do what we can to support their important work,” says Beam.