Freedom to Give
Partnering with you to make a difference.
Freedom First and WDBJ7 are hosting quarterly community donation drives in downtown Roanoke to benefit our neighbors. Scroll down to see how you can participate in the giving!
Support Feeding Southwest Virginia
Our second Freedom to Give donation drive will benefit Feeding Southwest Virginia, an organization that nourishes neighbors across 26 counties and 9 cities in the Southwest Virginia region.
When schools close, many children lose access to the meals they relied on each day. Your gift helps fill that summer gap with food families can use—so kids can be kids, and parents can carry a little less worry.
Items Needed
We will be collecting the following food items at our branch locations and participating partner businesses, or you can bring them yourself on the day of the event:
- Peanut butter
- Canned proteins
- Canned fruits
- Shelf-stable meals
- Bottled water
- Beans, pasta, and rice
- Canned vegetables
- 100% juice
Please note:
- Low sodium and low-sugar options preferred
- No glass containers of any kind
- Canned items with pop-top lids are preferred
How You Can Participate
Bring your donated items to the Freedom First Elmwood Headquarters on Wednesday, July 15th between 12 pm and 6 pm.
Donations Go To: Feeding Southwest Virginia
Date: Wednesday, July 15th, 2026
Time: 12-6 pm
Location: 207 Bullitt Ave SE, Roanoke, VA 24013 (scroll to see directions and maps below)
We are also collecting donations at Freedom First branches and participating businesses between July 1st - 14th.
Directions to Freedom First's Headquarters
Address: 207 Bullitt Ave SE, Roanoke, VA 24013
Access from I-581: Take the Elm Ave exit and turn right onto Williamson Rd SE. Take the first right onto Bullitt Ave SE, across from Elmwood Park. Cross the railroad tracks to find the big building with the climber mural, then turn right into our gated parking lot to participate.
Access from Downtown: Follow Williamson Rd SE to Elmwood Park. Pass the Elmwood Parking Garage and turn left onto Bullitt Ave SE, across from the park. Cross the railroad tracks to find the big building with the climber mural, then turn right into our gated parking lot to participate.
Go With the Flow - Here's What to Expect.
When you arrive at the Freedom First Elmwood Headquarters to drop off your donations, just follow the flow of traffic as marked in our map below. The donation tents staffed by volunteers will be on the right-hand side, closest to the train tracks.
Please pull up your car and drop off your items, then keep moving forward and back around the loop and out the gate. If you need an in-kind donation receipt, our volunteers are ready to help you at the donation tents.
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