After a Fauquier County dairy farm began feeling the financial effects of the coronavirus, a community member stepped in to help raise money and connect them to a local food bank. News4’s Drew Wilder has the story.
A dairy farm in Northern Virginia has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic’s crippling effect on the economy.
Ken Smith told News4 in April that his farm, Cool Lawn Farms, in Fauquier County, was struggling after schools were closed because they were his biggest buyer.
"I've been worried about my business for five years," Smith previously said. "My family relies on me, the community relies on me."
The Piedmont Environmental Council saw Smith's story, and its donors raised $15,000 to buy milk from Smith's farm and donate it. The Fauquier Community Food Bank was the recipient of the donation and now has a supply of milk to provide its members.
"It's the way we want to give back," Smith said. "[It's] just wonderful to know that many hungry children will have the fulfilling nutrients that they need, and the satisfaction that their stomachs are full now."
Sharon Ames runs the food bank and said lately she's had to tell families there isn't any milk.
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"Today, we'll be excited to open because we can say, 'Yes, we have it.'"
The food bank will have milk for two months thanks to the donation.
In addition to dropping off the milk, Smith gave the food bank a $500 donation though his own business is struggling.
