In Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, many victims of recent flooding are now food insecure, many of them for the very first time, and the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board and their partners are keeping people fed within their ongoing 7th Annual Freedom from Hunger Food Drive, reports Alicia Vitarelli for 6abc.

“When people think of food insecurity, they don’t necessarily think of Montgomery County. There are tons of people in need here,” said Rachel Riley, Senior Director of Communications, of Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board.

“There have been people in need before COVID, but because of the pandemic and then the recent storms that did so much damage to people’s homes, there’s a great need right now. People need our support,” Riley said. “We have to help them. These are our friends.”

The food drive is virtual again this year, and VFTCB says monetary donations help people more than donated food. “We can get warehouse pricing, discount deals and we buy in bulk for all of the food pantries,” Riley said. “We have more than 40 food pantries in Montgomery County, and that’s gone up over the last few years.”

Read more about the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board’s Annual Freedom from Hunger Food Drive, at 6abc.