The leases for the Randolph Volunteer Fire Department and Cumberland Community Cares food bank were renewed by the Cumberland County Board of Supervisors during the board’s Jan. 8 meeting.

The fire department initially had a 15-year term for its lease, and the food bank’s lease was written for one year because it was a new agency.

The lease for the fire department, dated Feb. 1, 2009, concerns the 6,060 square feet of space located at 2145 Cumberland Road. The lease includes the building’s bunkhouse and office space for exclusive use, and the non-exclusive use of the building’s bays, meeting rooms, kitchen, restroom and parking area.

The fire department pays $1 of rent each year.

The food bank’s lease, dated Dec. 1, 2017, is not connected with the Virginia Tech Extension Office, which is technically located at 1548 Anderson Highway.

According to the lease, the tenant does not pay rent on the food bank facility.

County Administrator and Attorney Vivian Seay Giles said there have been no issues presented with the fire department’s lease, and recommended that the board approve another 15-year term.

Members of the board voted unanimously to approve the lease. No one spoke during the public hearing for the fire department lease.

Doris Seal with Cumberland Community Cares was the only person who spoke during the public hearing for the food bank lease renewal. Seal noted the growth and changes that have taken place at the food bank in the year that it has operated at the new location. Seal said there are approximately 190 people who sign up to receive food at the pantry on the first Saturday of each month and approximately 177 seniors registered to receive boxes of food on the second Tuesday of each month.

Approximately 280 participate in the mobile pantry program. Seal estimates that there are five new people who register for each event.

“Every month it gets larger and larger,” Seal said about the food pantry.

She thanked volunteers who helped with unloading of food trucks, donations and distribution, including volunteers from the area Extension Office and CTE students at Cumberland County High School.

“We have had wonderful support from the community,” Seal said.

She encouraged donations. Because Delma’s Pantry receives supplies from FeedMore, they can get a pound of vegetables for 4 cents.

Members of the board, following the public hearing, voted to approve the lease and amend it to last two years instead of one year.

District Three Supervisor Kevin Ingle asked if the board would have to re-advertise a second hearing in order to amend the food bank lease. Giles said scheduling a second public hearing was not necessary.