Wedding planning doesn’t have to be stressful—all it takes is the right resources in your corner and you’ll be getting hitched without a hitch. Consider our Best of Central Virginia Weddings your resource guide to finding the right venue, attire, photographer, caterer, and more.

Newlyweds, industry colleagues, and our readership nominated and voted on the
people and businesses listed in 30 categories. With these picks in hand, your wedding day will be one to remember.

Preserving a Hidden Language of Freedom

By: Shannon Kelly | Photos By: Ashlee Glen

At 99 years old, Edith Younger Edmunds is still stitching—and with every thread, she’s weaving a deeper connection to her heritage. What began as a childhood pastime has evolved into a late-in-life mission: bringing the story of the Underground Railroad to life, one quilt pattern at a time.

Edmunds has been quilting since she was seven, but it wasn’t until her 80s that she discovered a powerful intersection between her lifelong craft and the coded patterns once believed to guide enslaved people to freedom.

Though the historicity of the quilt code is disputed, it is nonetheless a fascinating story, and the distinct patterns are a rich part of art history.

As children, Edmunds and her twin sister—two out of the family’s twelve children—used scraps from their mother’s sewing projects to create patterns, which they sewed onto magazine pages. The result was a quilt, which the girls’ father proudly showed off any chance he got.

“He called it a spread. ‘Go get that spread so I can show it to my friend.’ He said, ‘This is what my girls did, my twins did, seven years old.’ He was so proud of us doing that,” Edmunds said.

When she got older, Edmunds got paid to do alterations and saved some money to buy her first sewing machine, which had a treadle. Later, she bought a motor to modify it.

“I put that motor on myself, and that made me be able to sew a little faster, and I could get things done quicker,” she remembered.

Edmunds was a stay-at-home mom after she started her family, but once her daughter, Amy, started school at Sinai Elementary, Edmunds got a job as a teacher’s aid there—but she never stopped sewing. She went on to work in the fabrics department for Belk’s, where she spent 18 years of her career.

“I crocheted, I did needlework, I did embroidery. All of this was a part of my…I call it my career of sewing,” she said.

Edmunds passion for sewing and, in particular quilting, pivoted and grew when she learned about how textiles were said to be used in the Underground Railroad.

“I guess it probably was about 15 years ago, may not have been that long. I was reading a little magazine called Guidepost, and in that little book, it had a picture of the Underground Railroad in it… I ordered the pattern of the Underground Railroad, and I made the first hanger, and it turned out so pretty,” she said.

From there, Edmunds tackled more patterns and learned about their symbolism as she went. She read books on the history of the Underground Railroad, and when the movie Harriet came out, she and her daughter both loved it; Harriet Tubman’s story spurred Edmunds’ interest in the Underground Railroad.

In 1860, around the time of the Civil War, Virginia had the largest enslaved population of all the Confederate states. Four generations of the Edmunds family have come from Halifax County. According to the 1860 census, enslaved people made up the majority of the county’s population. Nelson Edmunds, Amy’s great-great-grandfather, was born on the Red Field plantation there.

He would have been five or six years old at the time of emancipation, Amy—who researches her family’s genealogy—said.

While none of her ancestors ever escaped —at least not to the Edmunds’ knowledge—Edmunds was nevertheless fascinated by the inventive ways abolitionists, allies, and escapees operated the famous covert network. The story of the quilt code is one where messages were hidden in plain sight, under the guise of commonplace household items that would seem totally innocuous to individuals who weren’t in the know.

These quilt patterns were fascinating and also challenging for Edmunds to undertake.

The Crooked Path, for example, is tricky to achieve due to the cut of the pattern.

“That means that… you can’t walk straight,” Edmunds said. “They walk zigzag, so if somebody is trying to catch up with them, they can’t follow their crooked road.”
Whether taking a crooked path or a straight one, passengers on the Underground Railroad could identify allies by a “shoofly” pattern, made with four triangles around a center square.

“The shoofly is a person who would secretly help the enslaved. By that, I mean…this secret person would hide the enslaved in caves, or a church, or graveyard. He would do that, risking his own life,” Edmunds explained. “He would give them clothes to clean themselves up so they could go downtown and pass as free. They would be dressed in clean clothes, because when you’ve been walking to escape, your clothes get dirty.

So, this shoofly, he would help them.”

The bear paw pattern is characterized by four squares in the center, with outer edges that look like a bear’s paw.

“That bear paw, it tells the enslaved to follow the bear. It would go to where food and water were,” Edmunds said.

The flying geese; the bow tie, or hourglass; Jacob’s Ladder; nine-patch; the North Star; all these patterns are associated with the tradition of a quilt code.

Pattern recognition was the key to reading these symbols, Amy said: any colors could be used, but the colors themselves did not hold meaning.

“To look at the bear claw, somebody may have made it using blue and red. Somebody else may have made it using all black, but they would have had to have been able to focus on that design, to recognize it, no matter what the color or how incremental the seamstress had made the different parts, but to still be able to see that overall design,” she said.

These patterns could theoretically be combined to form messages, as well.

“That’s part of the intrigue in creating these images. It’s like, how many messages can I combine? Or, what if I wanted to try to create a message that has multiple meanings? And you can do that. You can imagine that, but I also have such an appreciation for the eye that the guide must have had, to be able to see the design so clearly, in spite of it being different every time,” Amy said.

Quilting takes a lot of time, and a lot of materials. Enslaved women who endeavored to make any of these patterns likely had extremely limited resources. Amy added: “There was no JoAnn’s Fabric.”

“From our perspective, it was difficult for us to imagine them making a full-sized quilt with a repeating pattern of the same square. It occurred to us that it is possible that they may have made something similar to a string quilt, and then just attached almost like an applique, one of these patterns,” she said. “If you knew what you were looking for, you would recognize it.”

Perhaps due to limited textile resources, the patterns were sometimes etched in dirt or marked elsewhere in another fashion.

Travelling the Underground Railroad was treacherous for anyone involved.

Out of the numbers of enslaved people who fled, relatively few made it all the way to freedom, Amy said.

Edmunds has been on a mission to educate others about the Underground Railroad, and the story of the quilt code, sharing her interest in the general history of the system, but also her perspective as a seamstress.

She has visited schools where she showed children how mathematics and art collide when it comes to quilting, hoping to inspire them, and demonstrate how the subjects they learn in the classroom apply to real life. The wagon wheel pattern is a prime example.

“The wagon wheels have a lot of different angles to be cut, and put together,” Edmunds said. “I told them, I said, ‘Now, all these pieces are not the same. You’ve got a rectangle, you’ve got a triangle, you’ve got a square.’ I said, ‘You’ve got to know how to measure to get those angles just right. If you don’t, your pattern’s not going to come out right.’”

Edmunds has done a variety of other engagements where she educates communities about the Underground Railroad and the quilt code. She brings samples of her work along, displaying them for audiences to examine as she delivers an informational presentation. She has participated in television interviews, a segment with NPR, and worked with various news outlets.

At 99 years old, quilting and educating remain Edmunds’ passions. She has no plans to slow down. She brings textile projects with her even on car rides. Looping is one of her more recent practices, in addition to embroidery, crochet, and quilting.

“I just like staying busy,” she said.

Not sure where to go for your oral health or dental treatments in the Lynchburg area?

Look no further than the experts referenced in our Area Dental Guide. From braces for your kids to the dental professionals you want in your corner when there’s an issue, we have you covered.

Where Poe Meets Pinot

By: Jeremy Angione | Photos By: Ashlee Glen

Dark walls, golden light, and the soft hum of a melody—The Raven Lounge invites guests to slow down, sip something new, and immerse themselves in a space where every detail tells a story. Inspired by the poetic gloom of Edgar Allan Poe and the celebratory culture of Louisiana, it’s Lynchburg’s latest Main Street addition—and its most evocative.

The wine and charcuterie bar opened May 10, through the combined efforts of co-owners and partners Jenee Davis and Bryan Fitz.

“This is kind of just an extension of our relationship. We do music together, we do life together, and now we do the Raven together,” Davis said. “It’s driven by love, for sure. It was definitely a place where me and [Bryan] could create something together.”

Despite the darker undertones of Poe and his works, the Raven Lounge remains cozy, intimate, and fun. Davis says much of the decor was actually already hers. There is even a horse-drawn carriage that acts as a focal point of the space’s design language.

Davis admits that the dark, dreary vibe of Poe’s 19th century era is a big part of her personality.

“I think my soul is stuck in that era,” Davis said.

Aside from the design of the space, Davis asserts that the quality that truly shapes the Raven Lounge is music.

Davis, originally from Louisiana, envisioned a space that reflected the cultural richness she grew up with—a place where music, food, and conversation came together effortlessly. She felt downtown Lynchburg could benefit from a more casual environment that celebrates creativity without the formality of a sit-down dining experience.

Although Davis is not a Lynchburg native, she’s called it home for the last 20 years and even raised her children here. The Raven Lounge was meant to be the type of place she wanted to experience with her family for years.

“We just wanted somewhere that people could experience something a little different. It’s also a platform for new musicians who haven’t played before. It’s a great opportunity for them to take the stage and have their first experience playing for the public,” Davis explained.

As a musician herself, Davis understands the value of having a dedicated space for artists and musicians to share their craft. She and partner Bryan Fitz form their own band called “Atlas Moon.” Together, they also play every Wednesday night at the Raven Lounge as a pair under the name “Jenee and Fitz.”

According to Davis, while the Raven Lounge certainly isn’t the first to incorporate music into their identity, the start times and duration of music performances sets Raven Lounge apart from other downtown businesses.

“Sometimes our music starts at 6.

In the fall we want to do music during the afternoon. I think that’s kind of what sets us apart. We’re gonna fill a time gap more than anything,” Davis said.

Aside from music, the Raven Lounge has opened its doors to all kinds of performers. The Raven hosts exclusive after-hour service for performers, staff, and audience members of the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra and the Academy.

“We’re trying to figure out how we can be the focal point for the arts. I don’t think people realize how artsy and creative this town really is.” Davis claimed.

Despite opening in the slower summer months, Davis says that the community has responded positively to the Raven Lounge. According to Davis, the silver lining of the opening in the slow season is the ability to steadily test things out for the lounge.

“We’re going to have to find our niche. We’re learning with Lynchburg. People love the menu, small plates, and wine selection. We do carry wines that a lot of people don’t carry, at good price points,” Davis explained.

Thus far, Davis says that the Raven Lounge has appealed to everyone from older wine drinkers and young art lovers. While the lounge is a bar, Davis felt it best to subtract a mainstay of most modern bars—TVs.

“We wanted people to interact.

We want you to talk to people and meet people, like humans used to do,” Davis exclaimed.

With only a few months in business, Davis already has big plans for the Raven Lounge in the Fall.

“For Halloween, we are going to partner with some of the local art and theater programs, and we want to do skits and ticketed events,” Davis said.
Similarly, the lounge will receive a winter makeover for Christmas.

“We’re going to make it a winter wonderland. If I have to get a snow machine up in here, we’re gonna do it,” Davis joked.

Wine tastings and pairing events will also be available in the fall. Currently, the Raven Lounge is open for venue rentals every Saturday, during the day.
The Raven Lounge’s menu will also see growth with the addition of tapas style food items. Currently, guests can enjoy the elegance of curated charcuterie boards, or comfort foods like the Raven’s “fancy” grilled cheeses.

According to Davis, certain items such as breads, cheeses, and some wines are locally sourced. Many of the wine cocktails are also made with local, fresh, and housemade ingredients.

While the Raven Lounge certainly has a distinct identity that stands out among other downtown businesses, Davis asserts that it does not have to be just one thing.

“Just like poetry, the Raven is open to interpretation. It may be a different feeling for you than it is for me,” Davis mused.

Earning a Best of Lynchburg award should be celebrated, and earning this recognition year after year earns a business a spot in the Hall of Fame.

To place in our Best of Lynchburg Hall of Fame, a business, person, or place needs to have won a gold level award in a particular category for the majority of the years since VistaGraphics first launched the contest in 2014.

Flip through to see who is the best of the best in the region!

(Voting for the 2026 Best Of Lynchburg Awards begins July 25 on LynchburgLiving.com. Look for those winners in the January/February issue of Lynchburg Living!)

Experience Lynchburg Restaurant Week
June 14-21, 2025!

Get ready to indulge in the culinary delights of Lynchburg during this year’s Lynchburg Restaurant Week, brought to you by Lynchburg Living magazine. From June 14 to June 21, nearly thirty of our city’s best restaurants will open their doors, offering specially crafted three-course menus that showcase the local flavors and talent that make our food scene so exceptional. Whether you’re revisiting old favorites or trying something new, this is the perfect opportunity to savor the hard work and creativity of our local chefs.

From innovative appetizers to mouthwatering entrees and decadent desserts, Lynchburg Restaurant Week invites you to enjoy delicious meals, all while supporting our community’s vibrant restaurant culture.

And don’t forget—if one of our participating restaurants leaves you wowed, you can cast your vote at lynchburgrestaurantweek.com!

The winning restaurant will receive well-deserved recognition and exciting prizes. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating the flavors that make Lynchburg unique.

The Milams’ Craftsman Home Filled with Love, Laughter, and Good Food

By: Megan Williams | Photos By: Ashlee Glen

On a warm Spring Wednesday night, the red door on a cozy 1920’s Craftsman swings open. Warm light spills onto the porch and the sounds of a ruthless game of Clue pierce the otherwise quiet street. Amidst the squeals of a guess-gone-wrong, you hear chips clanking into a bowl, ready to be served alongside freshly made onion dip. If a neighborhood kid were to pass by at this moment, they’d surmise their own clue: Game night at the Milam’s is on and all are invited.

“If the red door is open, you’re welcome to come in,” said Hart Milam, who has lived in the charming one-and-a-half story home since 2019 alongside her husband Nick, their two children Wesley (11) and Cora (8), and their dog Mojo, who joined the family a few years after they moved in. “This is a very close-knit street. My kids are always included in neighborhood activities, and we always do the same.”

Hart and Nick met in 2012 while they were both living in DC. Neither had any intention of leaving the Northern Virginia area but a job opportunity relocated the Milams to Lynchburg in July of 2019.

“We had no intention to staying for more than a year and were actively seeking rental opportunities,” Hart recalled. “We decided that purchasing a home might be a better option because of the interest rates at the time. We did not like a single house we looked at, and we searched for about two months until I was told about our current home. It sat vacant, so I reached out to the owner in late September, and we walked through it the next day. Nick and I remained silent during the walkthrough with the owner, but as soon as we got in the car, we knew it was the house for us. We put the offer in, and it was officially ours in October 2019. It’s hard to believe it will be almost 6 years.”

Hart had always had an affinity for Craftsman-style homes, gravitating toward the timeless functionality that the homes have.

“I love the characteristics and charm,” she said. “When we were house hunting, we looked at a few homes for sale on Norfolk Avenue. Having lived in Washington, DC, then eventually when we lived in Winchester, and our suburb in Northern Virginia, I loved the ability to walk to restaurants and shops. When we were walking the sidewalks of Norfolk Avenue, knowing how convenient businesses on Rivermont are to the street, it was a no-brainer for me. I was determined to live on Norfolk.”

The Milams immediately got to work transforming the home into a space that worked for their family, and that would continue to work well as their children grew.

The original kitchen had a peninsula countertop that was, according to Hart, “perfectly workable and fine,” however the counter height was six-inches higher than standard height and needed to be adjusted. They were able to retain most of the overhead cabinets but renovated the base cabinets to a more accessible height.

“We renovated the kitchen with Ikea cabinets!” Hart said. “It took over 250 boxes being delivered to our home and a lot of manpower from our family to help build out. My father-in-law, Mike, would leave his day job as a pulmonologist to help Nick build cabinets after work. We subcontracted the work in the kitchen to gut, place tile, but the rest of it was a lot of DIY. We had moving boxes everywhere in the middle of renovations, refinishing floors, building kitchen cabinets, and we eventually moved in December 2019 with a lot of work still to be done. I was determined to have Christmas breakfast in our new home, so we had to have our granite countertops installed on Christmas Eve!”

For the Milams, the kitchen is the heart of their home and family. After Hart returns home from work, where she is in Admissions at Randolph College, just a three-minute walk away, she can be found in the kitchen, doling out snacks for her kids or assessing the ingredients in the fridge for dinner.

“Coming from a strong Filipino and Italian background, I was taught not to waste,” she said.

“If all you have is rice and eggs, in Asian culture, that’s a meal in and of itself.”

Go-to meals on busy weeknights while the Milams navigate work schedules, their daughter’s dance practice schedule, and both children’s lacrosse schedules include pasta, salmon rice bowls, and even charcuterie platters where the kids can graze while catching up on homework after a practice.

“I try to incorporate as many of the same ingredients as possible across the week to avoid waste. But if I walk by a full lobster tank at the Boonsboro Kroger, I will make an impulse purchase for lobster rolls,” she laughed.

While the Milams keep meals simple during weeknights, Hart will go over the top for certain occasions or meals.

“One afternoon this winter, all of the neighborhood kids came in from playing outside. For snacks, I brought out the Brookstone S’mores Maker and they made s’mores in the dining room. Nick and I love to have people over, planned or unplanned—anywhere from pizza parties with the Ooni to me forcing everyone to watch Duke Basketball—and everyone knows we will always have some snacks or a cocktail waiting for you whenever you come over! I love to be a little over the top in parties and themes, and I’m so glad my family and friends indulge my sometimes-unhinged behavior,” she smiled. “Last year, I threw my daughter a [Taylor Swift] Eras themed birthday party complete with t-shirts, koozies, and a ‘merch table’ with glasses and tattoos!”

Hart and Nick’s children are front and center in their home, from the snacks they love to the hobbies they are cultivating. It’s a space of warmth, joy, and color, and it creates a beautiful background where their children can experiment and thrive.

The built-ins in the living room, original to the home, are brimming with family photos, assembled Lego projects, records their daughter is enjoying, and books that the kids can quickly grab and tuck into. It’s the home of a family who loves being together and loves to be at home.

“On a Saturday morning, Cora will wake up first and turn on the record player—usually Taylor Swift. That’s what we will wake up to,” Hart shared. “If it’s a warm morning, we will take out the flat top grill and make breakfast outside.”

The Milams’ home is more than just a place to live—it’s a hub of connection, creativity, and community. Whether it’s a spontaneous game night, a themed party, or simply sharing a quiet breakfast outdoors, Hart, Nick, and their children have built a space that reflects their love for each other and the neighborhood they’ve come to call home. It’s a place where the door is always open, and everyone is invited to join in the warmth and joy that fills their home.

Elevated Mexican Fare at Uno Mas

By: Anna Eileen White | Photos By: Ashlee Glen

Neon signage and greenery floating overhead usher visitors into 5th Street’s latest culinary spot. It’s almost as bright inside as outside. Walls of windows illuminate cactus-green subway tiles and conversation buzzes beneath the electric pulse of a well-curated playlist.

This is Uno Mas, and if the experience lives up to its name, visitors will be tempted to stick around for “one more.”

Upon entering, a mustard-yellow bus with a rust-speckled fender doubles as a hostess stand —this is chef and owner Alan Gutierrez’s favorite design element. He said they cut the bus in half allowing servers to walk and stand behind the dashboard. License plates and road signs reading “Uno Mas,” “Tacos BLVD,” and “Tequila Way” are affixed around the antique VW badge.

Where to sit is the first choice: pick a table or booth in the main dining room and admire colorful homages to Mexico’s Day of the Dead, find a seat at the bar, slip into the secluded side room and dine under a blue haze away from the crowd, or feast al fresco on the patio. Any location will more than complement the extensive menu of Lynchburg’s self-proclaimed “home of street tacos.”

“Everybody loves tacos,” said Gutierrez, who has been cooking for most of his life.

His menu features 10+ tacos served on house-made corn or flour tortillas with endless customizations. Choices include two styles applied to any taco—Gringo and Street. Choose Gringo and receive a taco topped with lettuce, tomatoes, crema, and cheese. Choose Street and enjoy the bright addition of cilantro, onions, and lime. Among protein choices like melt-in-your-mouth lengua (tongue) for the adventurous and tender carne asada, visitors can find a standard favorite and stick with it, or never eat the same taco twice by swapping salsa verde for a creamy avocado salsa and vice versa.

Everything at Uno Mas is made in-house, the result of skills Gutierrez has built over his 29 years.

“Since I was little, I would always cook for my brothers, my mom, my dad, and I wanted to be a chef,” he said. Born and raised in Mexico, he grew up watching his mom navigate the food industry there. He said she rarely measures, and her culinary methods are subconscious and natural, “I definitely got that from her.”

When his parents opened El Camino on Lakeside Drive, it was another opportunity for Gutierrez to explore the food industry and eventually become part-owner.
“Little by little, I started liking the restaurant business,” he explained.

Though busy splitting his time between construction in the mornings and El Camino in the afternoons and evenings, Gutierrez didn’t have any doubts when
512 5th Street came available. His dad first saw the listing.

“He showed me a picture, and as soon as he told me, I called the number,” he said. After multiple unanswered calls, Gutierrez’s persistence paid off.

“[The agent] showed me the place, that same day or the day after, and I told him I wanted it, and then we jumped on it the day after that.”

Now the location is Gutierrez’s canvas, and his preferred mediums are the sights, sounds, and flavors of the big city. He says the details are inspired by his travels, where he pays close attention to “the colors, the decorations, the food, how they present things, the drinks.” He’s taken “a little bit of everything” from favorite locations including Acapulco, Guadalajara, Jalisco, California, and Puerto Rico. “Everywhere I would go, either Mexico or bigger cities, I would look at things and get ideas,” he explained.

Despite the main dining room’s joyful allure, the patio is irresistible on a 75-degree spring evening. Sheltered on two sides by buildings, but open to 5th Street, traffic hums and occasionally roars by—an organic addition to Gutierrez’s big-city bent. Several of 5th Street’s iconic cherry trees mark a chiffony margin between the roadway and patio. On one side, life as usual; on the other, good food, good drinks, good atmosphere, and good music, according to Gutierrez.

“[People] always have a good time,” he explained. “They kind of just come and hang out, and they bring their friends, and those friends bring more friends. It’s kind of just like a cool hang-out place.”

Open since February 3rd, Gutierrez says they never truly announced they were open and didn’t do any paid advertising. Instead, they used social media and let news spread word-of-mouth.

“We just turned the lights on and opened the doors and people just started coming in,” he shared. “We’ve been getting really good feedback. I knew it was going to be successful.

I just didn’t think it was going to be this quick.”

Top-ordered food items so far include tacos, Burrito Cocino, and Maria Bonita. Gutierrez says the top-ordered drinks are margaritas and palomas. He is already envisioning a second location in the near future. “If you want to try new Mexican food that’s not at any other restaurants around,” he explained, “this is the perfect place.”

Gutierrez says it’s not just the food—he’s worked hard to create an atmosphere that visitors won’t find elsewhere. The way diners stick around, soaking up the many sensory delights, confirms that he’s concocted something magnetic.

A toddler finds his groove dancing atop the patio’s flagstone pavers and his parents join the fun in between polishing off a few more bites. Conversation keeps pace with the playlist even as daylight dwindles. “I think people just love to be here,” said Gutierrez.

Whether looking to enjoy one more drink or one more round of steak nachos, Uno Mas is meant for lingering, and visitors will surely leave with one more colorful moment in time under their belts than they began with.

As summer settles in, there’s no better time to explore the rich history and vibrant arts scene that define our region.

From captivating theater performances to immersive historical sites, Lynchburg offers a unique blend of culture and storytelling that brings the past to life. Whether you’re rediscovering familiar landmarks or venturing to new experiences, this guide is your perfect companion for an unforgettable summer filled with adventure.

Park View Community Mission’s Comprehensive Fight Against Food Insecurity

By: Emily Mook | Photos By: Ashlee Glen

For many of us, food can be both fun and frustrating. When it comes to our culinary experiences, our emotions may range from excitement about trying a new recipe or restaurant to ennui over planning and preparation. We consider notions of form, function, and perhaps even presentation, and we may forget what a privilege it is to think about food in such certain terms and to contend with things like indecision and overwhelm rather than hunger and food insecurity.

Merriam-Webster defines food insecurity as “the fact or an instance of being unable to consistently access or afford adequate food,” and according to the 2024 USDA Food Security Report (the latest data available), a staggering 13.5 percent of U.S. households experienced food insecurity in 2023. Lynchburg’s statistics mirror that figure very closely; according to Park View Community Mission’s Food for Families Director Heather Gibson, the latest Feeding America’s “Map the Meal Gap” data indicates that 13.6 percent of Lynchburg’s citizens are food insecure. That data also indicates that surrounding counties aren’t too far behind: Appomattox is at 12.1 percent, Amherst is at 11.8 percent, Campbell County is at 11.2 percent, and Bedford is at 10.7 percent. As these numbers continue to climb globally, nationally, and locally, food-distributing nonprofits are experiencing more demand than ever before and thus need more attention and community support than ever before. Lynchburg is home to several such organizations, including the outstanding and uniquely comprehensive 501(c)(3) Park View Community Mission.

Located at the corner of Memorial Avenue and Wadsworth Street, Park View Community Mission began as a weekly Wednesday night dinner service in 1996. It was spearheaded by the late Fred Fauber and the late Larry Brooks and initially run by members of the now-disbanded congregation of Park View United Methodist Church. Those weekly dinners continue today as the Park View Café, providing at least 100 meals each Wednesday from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. A carryout setup—introduced after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic—allows neighbors to dine in or take their meals to go. Volunteers (and Park View staff, as needed) conduct all steps of the process.

“Typically, we have various groups cook and serve the food,” Gibson noted. “Volunteers can come and help set up, serve, and take down at the end of the dinner. If they want to cook, they can reach out to the director of the Café and she can schedule a time for them to cook. If we don’t have enough volunteers, then the staff pitches in. Due to the bad weather in February, we had a group cancel, so I cooked chili for 100.”

After 20 years of providing weekly meals, Park View added a service that would ultimately become the cornerstone of their organization: a food pantry called Food for Families. Since its creation in 2006, Food for Families has grown into Lynchburg’s largest food pantry and into the largest client-choice pantry in the state west of Richmond.

The pantry is open from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Thursdays and Saturdays, and emergency food bags are available to anyone who needs them on the days the pantry isn’t open.

“We began serving groceries to about 40 families per week, and we now serve over 400 families each week,” said Gibson. “In 2024, Food for Families served 16,479 families from Lynchburg, Amherst, Appomattox, and Bedford and Campbell Counties. We receive USDA food from the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank; this food is given free to anyone living in Virginia whose yearly income is below 250% over the poverty line. We also receive weekly donations from Walmart, Kroger, Panera, Little Caesars Pizza, Flowers Foods, Tree of Life Midtown, and Starbucks. Along with these donations, we receive donations from food drives done by churches and businesses along with donations from individuals. We can always use non-perishable donations.”

Park View also welcomes non-perishable donations for its Food for Thought initiative, which provides food during the weekends to Lynchburg students in need. Launched in 2018, this initiative provides elementary school students with bags including two breakfasts, two lunches, and three dinners and middle and high school students with access to food pantries.

“Students are identified by the guidance counselors of the schools, and parents sign a permission slip to allow their children to receive food,” Gibson stated. “Each school decides how to distribute the bags at the end of the day on Fridays. Some do it in the hallways and some in the last class of the day. Foods given out include ravioli, tuna, chicken noodle soup, cups of mac & cheese, individual cereal cups, shelf-stable milk, and snacks. Food for Thought provided 38,865 weekend meal bags last year.”

Food insecurity is a complex issue that extends beyond food scarcity, and thus the fight against it necessitates holistic education and support.

Park View’s remaining initiatives—the Clothing Connection, the Community Resource Center, and the Life Skills Institute—allow the organization to address and mitigate other roadblocks to food security.

The Clothing Connection provides free clothing, the Community Resource Center provides eviction and utility assistance and matches neighbors with other organizations as needed, and the Life Skills Institute imparts practical life and career skills.

“Our Life Skills Institute provides job readiness training through the ‘Vital Skills with Jeff from CVCC’ series,” remarked Gibson. “It teaches the necessary soft skills for retention, interviews, making career goals, and networking. LSI has classes on financial wellness and computer skills, as well as a series of cooking classes through the VA Extension Office. We also provide clothing for job interviews and to start your new job.”

In addition to offering these six invaluable initiatives, Park View is dedicated to raising community awareness about food insecurity and about how to join in the fight against it.

“We have an educational component to make people in the community aware of food insecurity,” Gibson said. “The directors of the programs are always willing to discuss Park View with civic groups, college classes, and churches. We also have the Teal Bag Initiative that has a food drive and educational components. We will give any organization a presentation and will provide teal reusable shopping bags with lists of needed items. We then arrange a pickup time for the bags.”

As demand for these comprehensive services continues to rise, Park View is hoping to find a larger physical space to meet that demand.

“With the increase in neighbors, we have outgrown our physical space,” noted Gibson. “Our neighbors have to wait outside until their numbers are called before they can come inside. We are looking at options to be able to serve more families in our community.”

Community awareness and support are critical in ensuring that Park View Community Mission can continue to serve our most vulnerable neighbors. As we consider our feelings about and relationships with food, may we also consider the feelings and needs of those whose relationships with food are less secure.

“Individuals can help in the fight against food insecurity by donating to local food pantries in both time and money,” Gibson stated. “It takes quite a few people to help stock the pantry and then help our neighbors grocery shop during distributions. The most rewarding thing about my job is knowing I am helping to feed our neighbors, but the most challenging thing is making sure I have enough food to go around.”