Community Notice from
Dranesville Supervisor John Foust  

 
  
Dear Neighbor,

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency continues to evolve, I want to share several resources that you may find helpful, including food resource information, resources for businesses, and more. In addition, many people want to know how they can help others in need during this time. Though likely not an exhaustive list, I hope the information below will provide those who are interested and able with some ideas of how to support others in our community. 

Contact Coordinated Services Planning for Basic Needs Assistance
For information about food and other assistance in Fairfax County,  contact Coordinated Services Planning  (CSP). CSP specialists are ready to listen and assist you by providing access and referrals to both County and community-based resources. CSP specialists can help you find information and solutions for your needs, such as emergency food, shelter, clothing, healthcare, employment, financial assistance, and other essentials.

When you contact CSP, a specialist will help you through an assessment to identify your needs and provide a connection to resources for which you are eligible. Call 703-222-0880 for assistance or visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/neighborhood-community-services/coordinated-services-planning for more information. 

Food Resources Interactive Map
To make it easier for those in need to find food resources, the County has developed a  searchable map  that includes food distribution sites throughout the County, including Fairfax County Public Schools locations, community meal distribution sites, food pantries, and other related services.

Click the image above to open the map.

Enter your address and select within how many miles you want to search to find the name, address, hours (if available), and driving directions  to each food distribution and assistance site.

Fairfax Area Meals on Wheels Program Delivering Flash Frozen Meals
The Fairfax Area Meals on Wheels program is now operating on a once-a-week basis and is delivering flash frozen meals to clients. Meals on Wheels is accepting new clients who are aged 60 and over. Call the County's Coordinated Services Program at 703-222-0880 for more eligibility information and to apply for the program. The program serves people living in Fairfax County and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church.

Human Services Resource Guide
The County's  Human Services Resource Guide is an online, searchable guide to available human services resources in Fairfax County. It provides detailed program and service descriptions, eligibility requirements, locations, and contact information. 

Assistance for Senior Transportation
Herndon Village Network, the Shepherd's Center of Great Falls, and the Shepherd's Center of McLean-Arlington-Falls Church are carefully monitoring the coronavirus situation and continuing to provide transportation services to clients at this time.  

Resources for Businesses 
  • Disaster loan assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration;
  • Small business counseling organizations;
  • Worker and employer FAQ regarding COVID-19;
  • A dashboard set up by the Fairfax County Business Emergency Operations Council to share information among the business community.
Legal Services of Northern Virginia
Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV) is a nonprofit law firm providing free legal counsel to the region's low income and other populations in need on matters related to the COVID-19 pandemic. LSNV assists with a wide range of legal issues. To learn more, call 703-778-680 or visit  http://www.lsnv.org/. 

helpWays to Help

In Your Neighborhood
  • In all interactions, follow proper social distancing protocols.
  • Find out (and document) if anyone has specialized equipment or expertise that might help.
  • Decide who will check on elderly or disabled neighbors and their needs.
  • Review the County's Community Emergency Response Guide, which is available in several languages, and features quick documents to help you and your neighbors prepare for emergency situations. 
In Our Community

Nonprofit Donation Requests
A list of nonprofit donation requests is being collected by Volunteer Fairfax. This information will be updated frequently, visit https://bit.ly/2JBfPul often to see new community needs.

To have your organization listed on the Volunteer Fairfax webpage or to update information listed on the site, click here.
 
Volunteer Opportunities
Discover ways you can volunteer (remotely or following social distancing guidance) with the groups below:

Medical Reserve Corps
The Medical Reserve Corps serves as the official volunteer organization of the Fairfax County Health District (which serves Fairfax County, City of Fairfax, City of Falls Church and all Towns located within the County). Sign up at  https://vvhs.vamrc.org/ or contact hdmrc@fairfaxcounty.gov for more information or assistance with the application process.
 
Volunteer Fairfax
Volunteer Fairfax serves as one clearinghouse of volunteer opportunities in the County. Visit  https://www.volunteerfairfax.org/ and click the "Volunteer Now" button. Under Project Description search "covid" to find ways to volunteer, including from home/online.
 
Fairfax County Volunteer Management System (VMS)
The Fairfax County Volunteer Management System maintains a database of all volunteer opportunities with County agencies and programs. Visit  https://volunteer.fairfaxcounty.gov to search for current volunteer needs or click here to complete a volunteer application.


Donate Masks and Disposable Gowns
The Fairfax County Health Department is accepting donations of new packages of personal protective equipment such as N95 respirators, surgical masks, and disposable gowns. The County is unable to accept homemade fabric masks however other groups may collect such donations. 

Complete this online form to make a donation. 

If you are interested in making your own fabric mask, this site was shared with my office as a helpful resource.

Inova
Inova Health Foundation has created a webpage highlighting needs for supplies, as well as other ideas to help the healthcare community.

The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia
The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia has launched the COVID-19 Response Fund for Northern Virginia. During times of emergency, monetary donations are an efficient way to meet needs in the community. Visit  https://www.cfnova.org/community-leadership/covid-19-response-fund-for-northern-virginia for more information. 

Donate Blood
Blood supplies in the region are running low - it is still safe to give blood. Inova and the American Red Cross are asking healthy individuals to donate. Schedule an appointment:
Neighbor-to-Neighbor Program
The Fairfax County Neighbor-to-Neighbor program helps organize volunteer opportunities. Find out how your neighborhood community, HOA, or civic association can get involved. Visit  https://fairfaxcountyemergency.wpcomstaging.com/2020/03/20/neighbor-2-neighbor-program-another-way-to-help-out-in-your-community/ or contact the program coordinator at  703-246-8962 or

 
Shelter volunteers, including meal servers, front desk staffers, donations assistants, and childcare providers, as well as scheduled volunteer groups, are asked to refrain from coming in for the foreseeable future (currently through 6/10/20). This period may be extended as the coronavirus situation continues to evolve. Volunteers are asked to consider the following alternate plans:

Meal Caterers
Contact Adrian Chadwell at Adrian.Chadwell@cornerstonesva.org or 571-323-3675 to confirm your donation and arrange alternate plans for delivery of the food your group was to provide.
Contact Nate King at  Nate.King@cornerstonesva.org or 571-323-9569 to confirm your delivery plans.
Cornerstones anticipates a higher than usual demand for services from under-resourced families, especially when children are out of school and in need of meals typically covered by school meal programs. (Click  here for a list of food distribution sites that are providing grab-and-go breakfast and lunch meals while schools are closed.) Adults who work hourly jobs and may be off from work will also be adversely affected. Seniors may be in greater need as they are shut off from family members and other usual resources. 

Donations can be made at the  pantry, located at 11484 Washington Plaza West, Suite 120 in Reston. If you do not want to enter the building, call 571-323-1410 and a staff member may be able to assist you outside.

Urgent needs:
  • Grocery store gift cards
  • Gas gift cards
  • Rice
  • Beans
  • Lentils
  • Cooking oil
  • Oatmeal
  • Eggs
  • Milk
  • Cleaning wipes
  • Bleach or other disinfectants
  • Spray bottles
  • Paper towels
Herndon Neighborhood Resource Center & Connections for Hope Partnership
Contact Susan Alger, Director of Volunteers and Community Engagement, at Susan.Alger@cornerstonesva.org or 571-323-1383, with any questions or concerns.
 
This information is available online at  https://www.cornerstonesva.org/coronavirus-updates-requests/.
 
SHARE of McLean
Local McLean/Great Falls/Pimmit Hills food pantry, SHARE, is currently providing grab-and-go boxes to its clients and those facing emergency needs. SHARE's hours are 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday. SHARE is operating out of the parking lot at McLean Baptist Church, located at 1367 Chain Bridge Road. Donations of food and personal care items are critically needed and can be left in the outside donation boxes. For large donations, contact sharevolunteers1367@gmail.com to arrange a drop-off time. SHARE has indicated that its current needs change daily but at this time, the highest needs are:
  • Canned soup
  • Peanut butter 
  • Cereal 
  • Tomato sauce/pasta sauce 
  • Ramen noodles
  • Bread
  • Toilet paper
SHARE asks that glass jars/bottles, expired items, and jumbo-size items are not donated For more information, visit  https://www.shareofmclean.org/. 

Other Community-Based Resources
Visit https://www.fcps.edu/news/coronavirus-update-support for a list of community-based organizations and resources, by area within Fairfax County, that offer food assistance for students and families.

Supporting Local and Small Businesses
Supporting local and small businesses is vital during this uncertain time. The County's Department of Economic Initiatives has compiled a few ideas for how to help small businesses stay afloat, while continuing to follow health guidelines.
  • Shop local - if possible, buy from your local grocer, store, or other small business to help them survive this downturn.
  • Restaurants - Many restaurants have adjusted their business model to offer orders to go. Order take-out, get delivery, or buy gift cards for future use. These actions can help businesses keep their staff employed and maintain cash flow.
  • Small gyms and fitness studios - many have closed or curtailed service. If you can afford to maintain your membership, consider doing so. This can help support owners and their employees and maximize the odds the business will survive.
  • Look ahead - Need to buy a birthday present for the future? Now is a good time to shop for that special something even if it's months away.
  • Arts and performances - For cancelled performances that are run by non-profit organizations, including many theatres, opera companies, symphonies, etc., it is often possible to decline the refunded ticket and instead contribute those funds to the non-profit in exchange for a tax refund. If you cannot afford to donate the entire amount, consider contributing a percentage.
  • Breweries and wineries - Get your goods to go. Many have set up ways to order and have it delivered to you or brought to your car outside. 
  • If you can afford it, tip more than usual. Every little bit helps.
Stay Informed

Fairfax County is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving coronavirus situation. Residents are strongly encouraged to sign up for coronavirus text alerts and to visit the frequently updated websites listed below. 
Most importantly, continue taking care of yourself, practice social distancing, and wash your hands frequently. Consider ways to give back, if you are able. Working together will help keep our community healthy, strong, and vibrant. 
 
Please share this information with your friends and neighbors and do not hesitate to contact my office if we can be of assistance; email Dranesville@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-356-0551. 

Thank you,

John
  
John W. Foust
Dranesville District Supervisor
1437 Balls Hill Road
McLean, VA  22101
Phone:  703-356-0551
Fax: 703-821-4275