Virginia Memory, Library of Virginia
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THIS DAY IN VIRGINIA HISTORY

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August 14, 1942

Mrs. M. A. Thomas to Governor Colgate Whitehead Darden, 14 August 1942, Virginia, Governor (1942–1942): Darden, Executive Papers, 1942–1946, Accession 23566, Box 59, Record Group 3, State Government Records Collection, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia. Mrs. M. A. Thomas to Governor Colgate Whitehead Darden, 14 August 1942, Virginia, Governor (1942–1942): Darden, Executive Papers, 1942–1946, Accession 23566, Box 59, Record Group 3, State Government Records Collection, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Mrs. M. A. Thomas Wrote to Governor Darden

During World War II Virginians faced food rationing and were encouraged to produce as much food for their families as they were able, spurring such endeavors as "Victory Gardens." In 1942 Naomi Lovelace Thomas, of Glen Allen, realized that she would have an overabundance of vegetables from her garden. She wrote to Governor Colgate Whitehead Darden (1897–1981) to ask if she could donate some of her home-canned vegetables to Virginia troops. Filed with her letter, in the Governor's papers, is a copy of Darden's response that he would inquire whether the armed forces would accept privately canned foodstuffs.