The economy may be improving, but many people continue to seek help through the Central Virginia Foodbank. Hot-line calls increased 50 percent over the previous year—from 2,834 to 4,281 people—in the quarter that ended Sept. 30.

On Monday mornings, children always ate the most at school breakfasts—about 30 percent more in a survey of Richmond public schools. The reason? They were hungrier after a weekend without meals at school. School officials contacted the Central Virginia Foodbank for help, and now there’s a backpack program to send food for the weekends home with the neediest children.

David Gracer readily admits he was a finicky eater growing up. While avoiding foods such as pizza and tomatoes, he did eat the unusual combination of butter and jelly sandwiches. In the past 10 years, the English-composition and public-speaking teacher from Providence, R.I., has experienced a change in his palate—and he has added insects to the ever-growing list of foods he now eats.

Officials roll out for meals event Meals on Wheels delivery day draws mayors, supervisors Public officials in central Virginia visited their communities yesterday morning, but it wasn’t to make campaign promises. They delivered food for local Meals on Wheels programs during the nationwide Mayors for Meals event. C. Scott Davis, in his first term as mayor of Colonial Heights, said the city has contributed to the feeding program for many years but that this was the first time he had seen first-hand how it benefits the community. It was an experience he’d do again.

Here’s the holiday spirit come to life: Java Berrow walking up to a home with someone’s dinner, knocking on the door and cheerfully announcing, “Meals on Wheels!“ “I like helping people who don’t get out to get their food,“ Berrow said. Here’s another thing: Berrow’s good work is not limited to the holidays. SLIDESHOW: Meals on Wheels