The Virginian-Pilot 
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Tuesday, January 23, 1996              TAG: 9601230307
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B6   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Metro Briefs 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   28 lines

FOOTBANK GETS GRANT

The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia Monday received a $19,875 grant from United Parcel Service Foundation that will permit the non-profit organization to better handle distribution of fresh and prepared foods.

The Foodbank said it will use the money to buy food-handling supplies and equipment for the agencies that receive and distribute food through the Foodbank's Fresh Foods Initiative.

The money will go for refrigerator thermometers, freezer chests, ice chests, ice packs and special food storage plastic bags.

The Foodbank distributes meals through a volunteer agency network to family shelters, soup kitchens, low-income day-care centers, homes for the elderly, emergency food pantries and after-school programs.

The United Parcel Foundation gave 22 such grants this year as part of its Prepared and Perishable Food Rescue Program. The program supports efforts to redistribute surplus cooked and fresh foods to those in need. by CNB