God's Storehouse Named 2026 Ashby Award Winner

January 22, 2026

DRF is pleased to announce God’s Storehouse has been selected to receive the 2026 B.R. Ashby, M.D. Award for Outstanding Community Service.

This award, in the amount of a $60,000 general operating grant, honors outstanding community service in the region by a nonprofit organization based on success in helping families and individuals overcome significant challenges. 

“For almost 40 years, God’s Storehouse has been meeting a very real and immediate need faced by our neighbors,” said Clark Casteel, President and CEO of Danville Regional Foundation. “From food boxes and community services information to personal items and weekend bags for schoolchildren, they meet people exactly where they are, no matter who they are with what they need. DRF is pleased to award the 2026 B.R. Ashby, M.D. Award for Outstanding Community Service to God’s Storehouse.”

“This is not a business model that we want to grow and expand in the traditional sense,” said Karen Harris, executive director of God’s Storehouse. “In an ideal world, our business would not exist at all. But this business is our ministry and if people need food and help getting back on their feet, God’s Storehouse will be here to meet that need.”

“In 2025, we served more people than ever, specifically in the second part of the year,” continued Harris. “We will use the Ashby Award to purchase more food as needed as well as expand delivery of food boxes to homebound residents. We are so thankful to be chosen for this honor and thank DRF for their commitment to our community.”

To learn more about God’s Storehouse and how you can be a part of this work, visit their website at www.godsstorehouse.org.

In 2009, DRF created the B.R. Ashby, M.D. Award for Outstanding Community Service to honor outstanding community service by an area nonprofit in appreciation of the exemplary service and selfless leadership of B. R. Ashby, M. D., a founding Board Member and first Chair of the DRF.  

Nominations for nonprofit organizations were accepted from within the DRF service area that includes the City of Danville and Pittsylvania County, VA and Caswell County, NC. Community members were encouraged to nominate an organization they feel has demonstrated a commitment to caring, generosity of spirit, and improving the quality of life for residents in the region. An Advisory Committee of five community members and a DRF Board representative reviews all nominations before selecting the recipient. 

Past recipients of this award include House of Hope (2025), Project Literacy (2024), County Outreach Ministries, Inc. (2023), Caswell Parish (2022), Grace & Main Fellowship/Third Chance Ministries (2021), Just Kids Child Development Center, Inc. (2020), Danville Speech and Hearing Center (2019), Pittsylvania County Community Action (2018), Caswell Family Medical Center (2017), Danville Cancer Association (2016), God’s Storehouse (2015), the Northern Pittsylvania County Food Center (2014), Danville Life Saving and First Aid Crew (2013), God’s Pit Crew (2012), Danville Church-Based Tutorial Program (2011) and Caswell Parish (2010).