About
We Serve, No Questions Asked
We serve people from all walks of life. Our guests include workers who are recently unemployed or those with temporary or part-time jobs who can’t make ends meet. We serve the elderly and the disabled on fixed incomes, families with small children/babies, single parents, and persons with mental health challenges. Approximately 40% of our guests are over the age of 50. We are seeing an increase in the number of families coming to Daily Bread and are thankful to be part of making sure no child goes hungry.
How We Started
Founded in 1982 by First Presbyterian Church of Lynchburg, we are now an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The first meals were served from the historic Nichol’s Tavern at the corner of Fifth and Madison Streets. In 1983, the organization moved to a building on Park Avenue owned by the Salvation Army. It remained at this location until 1989. Faced with a second move, Daily Bread sought funding for permanent quarters and purchased the Knights of Columbus building located at Eighth and Clay Streets, which was built in 1835.
Our Clay Street building received significant renovations in 2013, including the installation of new ovens, donated by Columbia Gas and Southern Air. The Lynchburg Rotary Club sponsored dining room renovations, which allowed for additional seats and improved traffic flow.
The impact of the pandemic caused significant change to our service model, with nearly double the number of people in need. Renovations began in 2021 to create more kitchen space. These renovations were made possible by Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, a local community foundation, and donors like you. We have now doubled our kitchen capacity and offer double serving windows to serve our guests quickly and safely.
Today, our mission continues
It’s a win-win-win for our community: More people have the food they need. More businesses share their food rather than take it to a landfill. More neighbors are coming together to serve. Let’s keep serving together — one meal at a time.