The Interfaith Food Pantry (IFP) was founded on October 15, 1987, to serve families of Blacksburg and McCoy. The IFP is run entirely by volunteers. There are no paid staff members. All client needs are met through cash and food donations.

At its inception, the Pantry was open only one day a week and served 19 families in its first month.  Blacksburg Baptist Church on Main Street hosted IFP for its first 25 years. Twenty-five years later, the Pantry now enjoys a newly constructed 10,000 square foot facility funded through donations from Dr. T. Marshall Hahn and other members of Blacksburg United Methodist Church. It is now open five days a week and serves several hundred families a month.

The Interfaith Food Pantry is a program of New River Community Action, Inc. (NRCA). NRCA is a non-profit agency and qualified under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. NRCA is subject to an annual audit by independent certified public accountants. The tax identification number for NRCA is 54-0793072. For the most recent report of NRCA visit http://newrivercommunityaction.org/documents-reports/

The Pantry is operated through the combined efforts of many people. The current director is Andrea Muscatello. The Pantry is managed by an advisory board consisting of volunteers from the community and area centers of worship. It is chaired by Sandy Hagman. Volunteers serve on a rotating schedule throughout the month.

New River Community Action (NRCA) Emergency Assistance Program (EAP) offers a variety of temporary assistance for residents or transients who are 200% poverty income or below who are experiencing financial crises.  Some examples of crises that low-income people frequently face are: high utility bills, decrease in income, disabilities and chronic health issues, significant amount of medical debt, housing costs greater than 50 percent of income, or homelessness. NRCA EAP provides assistance with food, rent, mortgage, utility, heating fuel, medical, and gasoline to get to doctor or employment.

Designed to provide temporary rental assistance, utilities, food, household products, etc. for individuals and families residing in New River Valley and transients who are experiencing a financial crisis who meet the guidelines.

To receive Emergency Assistance, applicants for services must be experiencing a crisis beyond their control. Assistance is provided on a first come first serve basis after all documentation has been received.