SALEM, Va. (WDBJ) – For nearly five decades, she’s been the driving force behind feeding local families in need.
Now, as Pamela Irvine prepares to retire from Feeding Southwest Virginia, she’s sharing her deeply personal story of faith, food, and miracles in tonight’s Heart of Our Hometowns.
The goal for Pamela Irvine is simple.
“We feed people so we know a child or adult will go to bed tonight having food,” said President & CEO of Feeding Southwest Virginia Pamela Irvine.
But the mission isn’t easy.
PAM “And unfortunately, after 45 years, the need is still great,” added Irvine.
From an early age Pam felt called to help feed people. While working as a food stamp advocate and managing an emergency food pantry near her roots in the Alleghany Highlands, she learned of food banks.
“There is no need for people to be hungry. There should be a way to feed people in America and our communities,” said Irvine.
For Pam, it was personal.
“My husband and I were working but we struggled financially. We had $25 every two weeks to buy groceries, so we knew what it was like to stretch a family budget and make food happen,” said Irvine.
Her struggle turned into a lifelong calling. Since 1981, Pam has been fighting hunger across 26 counties and 9 cities in Virginia.
“We have the poorest counties and the highest food insecurity in the state in Southwest Virginia,” said Irvine.
Through decades of service as President and CEO of Feeding Southwest Virginia, styles may have changed, but her dedication remained.
“I believe helping others is the fountain of youth. Some of the oldest, youngest people I know are those that have been feeding people for years,” said Irvine.
There were plenty of dark days like losing their first truck to a fire or not knowing if they could make payroll.
“One time we received a $20,000 invoice in the mail for general insurance, and we didn’t have a dime,” said Irvine.
But it was her faith.
“I’m just going to pray, and we just trust that it’s going to come in,” said Irvine.
That was her guiding light.
“I got a phone call from the business manager, and she said you’re not going to believe this, we just got two $10,000 checks in the mail and we don’t even know these people. Somehow, some way God will bring it in and that’s what has happened over the years,” said Irvine.
“It could be someone calling us with a truck load of apples saying hey we got some apples that were bruised, can you guys use these? Of course, there’s a miracle right there,” added Kitty Tabor who is the director of food resourcing at the food bank.
Pam’s work ethic inspired thousands of volunteers like Kitty Tabor.
“She has done so much for feeding Southwest Virginia,” said Tabor.
What started as volunteer work for Kitty grew into a job then blossomed into a friendship.
“Pam married my husband and I at Mill Mountain Star 26 years ago. We’re like a foodbank family,” said Tabor with a large smile.
But this family is preparing for a change.
“We’re really going to miss her,” said Tabor.
Because in December, Pam will hand over the reins.
“I will be available to the new CEO if they have questions or if they need me but other than that I will work in my community volunteering and do work that I do over there and I will get to visit my great granddaughters and granddaughters that live only two minutes from me that I never get to see,” explained Irvine.
I asked, “The volunteer heart is still there?”
Pam responded, “Yes, always. It’s about people. I’ve seen so many lives changed over the years just because there’s something that happens when you hand a box or bag of food to someone and you look them in the eye, not only do the eyes meet but so do the hearts.”
A rewarding legacy even as the need for food multiplies.
“Unfortunately, more is going out, the trend it’s been, than coming in. That’s not a good trend,” said Irvine.
A reminder that the mission never ends.
“It’s not easy feeding people. That’s been my motto and that’s been my experience and I think it always will be. Not easy feeding people but worth it,” said Irvine.
Whether it’s millions or those closest to her, Pam’s hunger to fight for people will never stop growing.
“This is who I am, not what I do. There’s plenty to do in the Alleghany Highlands and I will have more hugs and kisses from those great granddaughters,” said Irvine.
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