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Executive Director's Update
“As so many supports for those who are struggling are diminishing, the increasing reach of WFCM stands as a beacon of hope and sustenance.” WFCM Donor, January 2025
This note was included in a letter we received from a WFCM supporter with their generous donation in January. The donor shared that they are glad to be one part of supporting the important work of combatting hunger in western Fairfax County working with WFCM.
I am grateful and encouraged when we receive these notes. It takes many partners working together to mitigate food insecurity at a time when more neighbors are experiencing challenges that prevent them from having sufficient food to meet their needs. These challenges include increases in the cost of rent, utilities, and groceries, decreases in income (due to reduction in hours or loss of employment), and often the lopsided scale of low wages that aren't increasing along with bills that are.
The reason WFCM has been able to increase our reach in these challenging times is our partners, including donors like the one who sent the letter with their donation. Grocery store in-kind donations, grants from local foundations and Fairfax County Government for direct assistance for neighbors, donations from hundreds of local families to power our operations, thousands of volunteer hours provided by more than 100 weekly volunteers, dedicated operational funding for our markets from local congregations, foundations, and businesses, and in-kind donations of diapers, birthday cakes, and other goods and services provided by partner non-profits for the families we serve make it possible for us to meet the needs of "those who are struggling."
In January, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recognized the challenges faced by individuals and solutions offered by providers with a Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week proclamation. One of the photos above is from the board meeting. The board acknowledged that the county doesn't have the funds or programs to meet all the needs and expressed gratitude for the partners across the county who work together to serve individuals and families who are food and housing insecure. Several of the board members spoke about the Stuff the Bus efforts taking place January to March. WFCM received grocery donations from community members during the Stuff the Bus held on January 25th at the Giant in Clifton.
Community members also generously supported WFCM by donating at checkout when shopping at Wegmans Chantilly during the Checkout Hunger campaign at the end of 2024. We received a check for $19,426.09 for our market operations in January!
Thank you for enabling WFCM to be a "beacon of hope and sustenance".
You are the difference.
God bless,
Harmonie Taddeo, Executive Director
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