Lynchburg Daily Bread: Feeding the Local Community Since 1982

A local food pantry, Lynchburg Daily Bread, has been providing meals for Lynchburg residents with no stipulations since 1983. 

According to the Lynchburg Daily Bread’s website, the organization was started by the First Presbyterian Church of Lynchburg and originally operated out of the historic Nichols Tavern building. The organization has changed locations several times since it began, and now can be found at 721 Clay Street. Lynchburg Daily Bread has become an important part of the community, reaching city residents all across the greater Lynchburg area.  

Junior Caleb Moore volunteers at the Lynchburg Daily Bread for his CSER credit. 

“I wanted to do something more hands-on and see how I’m actually impacting people,” Moore said. 

Although he has only worked at the pantry for a few months, Moore said that God has shown him how to have a spirit of gratefulness throughout the process. 

“I think it’s one thing to give people food who need it,” Moore said. “Jesus says in the New Testament ‘you can give us bread but what we really need is eternal life.’ We can feed them on a day-to-day basis but all that really matters at the end of the day is where they are at with God.”  

Moore said he loves the people he works with and hopes to continue serving with Lynchburg Daily Bread for the rest of his time at Liberty.  

Senior Emerson White has served three semesters with the food bank for her CSER credit. What started as a last-minute pick turned into an opportunity to build meaningful friendships. 

“The most impactful thing about volunteering there is the relationships formed with other volunteers,” White said. “It’s a very diverse group of volunteers and so I have worked with a lot of women who are retired and grandparents and it has been so cool to hear this wisdom.” 

White encourages other students to serve at the Lynchburg Daily Bread to get a glimpse of the needs that are close to home.  

“It can be easy to ignore what happens outside of the ‘Liberty bubble,’ but as servants of Christ we should help everyone,” White said. “Just because they aren’t in a third world country or a typical ‘mission field,’ does not mean they don’t need help.” 

Laurel Hovey, the director of Lynchburg Daily Bread, expressed how the pantry meets the necessities of the community that extend beyond physical sustenance.  

“I think it’s uplifting for folks to come here and have other people to talk to who they will not be judged by,” Hovey said.  

Lynchburg Daily Bread is dedicated to helping all those who are in need. Its motto is “We Serve, No Questions Asked,” and the organization works to support those who are unemployed, elderly or disabled, as well as young families, single parents and anyone else that finds themselves in a difficult time of life. 

Hovey said the pantry’s employees and volunteers earnestly aim to positively impact the lives of those who come in for a meal.  

“It warms your heart to be around all these people who want to help, who want give to back, and just seeing how great our team is here — that’s an amazing thing,” Hovey said.  

In recent years, Lynchburg Daily Bread has seen an increase in pantry attendees from the Lynchburg community.    

“In January of 2020 … (volunteers) were serving 82 meals a day,” Hovey said. “… yesterday we served 789 meals.” 

Hovey said the influx of visitors can be attributed to several factors, which include the Lynchburg Daily Bread’s new option of on-the-go meals and the rising cost of living in Lynchburg.  

Lynchburg Daily Bread operates via monetary donations from company sponsors and individuals, as well as food donations.  

Hovey said the best way students at Liberty University can get involved is by donating canned goods and protein such as ground beef and chicken, while also offering to fill volunteer openings at the pantry. Hovey said that financial donations also support the organization’s outreach, as every little bit helps.  

“Thank you coming here and volunteering with us,” Hovey said. “Thank you for all the ways Liberty has supported us. … We just really appreciate how much the community of Lynchburg and Liberty University support us here at the Daily Bread,” Hovey said. 

O’Leary is a news reporter for the Liberty Champion.