PETERSBURG, Va. -- The Petersburg community came together Saturday to feed thousands of people impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dozens of volunteers handed out thousands of bags of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as PPE (personal protective equipment) during the non-contact drive-thru.
“We probably have about a thousand people," volunteer Erica Coleman said. "I was more than willing to do it, especially with what’s going on. So many people have lost their jobs and still on unemployment and don’t have the means to even go to the grocery store.”
The event is part of the "Feed Your City Challenge," which was formed by the Ricky Davis Legacy Foundation, Rapper Pusha T and music legend Tony Draper.
But Saturday's giveaway was spearheaded by Petersbirg native and recording artist Trey Songz, who is hosting a series of events as part of the Black Lives Matter movement.
“He’s feeding Petersburg," Sam Parham, the city's mayor, said. “It’s a big deal -- not just for the City of Petersburg, but for Virginia.”
Lt. Gov Justin Fairfax lauded the event as an example for the nation.
"Right now Petersburg is leading the way for this country to show us how we come together as a community," Fairfax said. "How we rise together, support one another.”
Songz also offered these words of encouragement those fighting to fulfill their dreams.
“Everything they say you can’t do, is probably because they didn’t do it themselves. That doesn’t mean that you can’t do it," Songz said. "That don’t mean that you can’t set out to accomplish it yourselves. And when you do accomplish what you set out to do, you go give back to the people that helped you become who you are.”
"Feed Your City Challenge" founders and city officials hope to continue the mission in the future.
“We want to be pillars in the community to give hope, support, joy," Ricky Davis said. "As you can see, we have a ton of food, a ton of stuff for people. We just want to seem them smile and be that hope for the community.”
Songz hosted a Juneteenth celebration in Richmond Friday. He will end the holiday weekend with a Black Lives Matter Father’s Day Bike Ride at Bryan Park at 9 a.m. Sunday.
