"Thanks to the program, I learned to separate our money for our expenses and our future." Brenda

Brenda achieved these goals:

• Attended all 10 monthly individual budget meetings and all 10 monthly group Financial Peace classes
• $1,000 in emergency savings
• $2,000 in 3-6 months savings account
• Increased income by working more hours so that she can save $300 each month after paying expenses

"The program helped me a lot and taught me to save money and to plan for the future. Thanks for the opportunity and lessons you gave me." Carmen

Carmen achieved these goals:

• Attended all 10 monthly individual budget meetings and all 10 monthly group Financial Peace classes
• $1,000 in emergency savings
• $2,000 in 3-6 months savings account
• Reduced car loan debt, with only 6 payments remaining, by working additional hours to pay more than the monthly payments due

"The classes helped me to realize that with effort and sacrifice, I can save and have financial support for any difficulty that may arise." Fanny

Fanny achieved these goals:

• Attended all 10 monthly individual budget meetings and all 10 monthly group Financial Peace classes
• $1,000 in emergency savings
• $2,000 in 3-6 months savings account
• $1,500 reduction in debt

"During this period when classes were held, I learned something really essential for life - financial education. I learned not to spend more than I earn. This is a good course to support financial education." Ignacio

Ignacio achieved these goals:

• Attended all 10 monthly individual budget meetings and all 10 monthly group Financial Peace classes
• $1,000 in emergency savings
• $2,800 reduction in debt
• Increased income by working more hours so that his monthly income is $400 more than his monthly expenses

"Through these classes I learned the importance of how to manage my money, how to save and have an emergency fund, how not to spend on unnecessary things, like eating out, because I am on a savings plan. Thank you for these classes which taught me the value of the emergency fund." Mariela

Mariela achieved these goals:

• Attended all 10 monthly individual budget meetings and all 10 monthly group Financial Peace classes
• $1,000 in emergency savings
• $500 in 3-6 months savings account
• $2,100 reduction in debt
• Mariela used her first savings in the emergency fund when her refrigerator needed to be replaced and she was able to rebuild those savings!

"The classes have helped me a lot, because I learned to save, as well as not to shop without thinking, and how to be more organized. I am grateful for having been chosen for this great program, because it has motivated me to move forward. Now I know that if I set my mind to it, it can be achieved with discipline." Diocis

Diocis achieved these goals:

• Attended all 10 monthly individual budget meetings and all 10 monthly group Financial Peace classes
• $1,000 in emergency savings
• $3,500 in 3-6 months savings account
• $2,500 reduction in debt

June 2024 Service Update

We were able to serve 14% more families in need at our client choice food pantries in May 2024 compared to May 2023. March 2023 is when the SNAP emergency allotments ended (benefits offered for three years during the pandemic) and the number of families using our services rose as compared to prior months. In May 2023, we served 100 new families at the Centreville Regional Library in preparation for opening our new location in Centreville in June 2023, in addition to serving 546 families at our pantry in Chantilly. In comparison, we served 471 families in our food pantry in May 2022 and 406 in May 2021.

Two hundred and twenty-nine (229) families were served at our Centreville Client Choice Food Pantry in May. Sixty-one (61) families used our food pantries for the first time; 34 at the Centreville location.

Thank you for your partnership that is making it possible for us to connect

with more families who are in need of our services.

In Fiscal Year 2024, you will notice that the number of bags of food per family is lower, or not as high as anticipated based on the families served and food provided. That is because we are using larger reusable bags or boxes that hold more food. Each bag holds an average of 21 lbs. of food versus 16 lbs. in the past. Therefore, the total pounds of food distributed is higher while the number of bags per family is lower.

What's New in the Food Pantry and Client Services with Pamela Montesinos

Director of Client Operations & Programs



The month of May included Mental Health Awareness, participation in the Centreville School Readiness event at Centreville Regional Library and a Community Day at London Towne Elementary, and representation at the Fairfax County Commission for Women Health Matters event. We were also happy to meet with several leaders from Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning team who we work with to serve community members. We are thankful to work with so many great partners and to help coordinate to meet the needs in our community.

Thank you to Wegmans and all of the organizations, businesses, individuals, and grocery stores that donated food and toiletries during the month of May!

Every donation helps!



The 2023/2024 school year is ending, and June 6th is our last delivery this school-year for the Free Food Fridge program that serves 12 Fairfax County Public Schools in Centreville, Chantilly, and Westfield. This year, we provided nearly 80,000 pounds of nutritious and fresh food to these 12 schools, plus weekend meals for students at two additional schools that we started serving in April without refrigerators. We are thankful for the Food Access Program grant from Fairfax County Government and funds from the 2023 Feed Fairfax 5k that made it possible for us to provide food for more than 700 students this school-year.

We are happy to welcome Jennlliz to the WFCM team as the Food Pantry & Nutrition Services Manager! Jennlliz comes to WFCM with over 5 years of experience working at Food For Others, most recently as the Food Resources and Nutrition Coordinator. In her role at WFCM, she will be managing the Centreville Client Choice Food Pantry and working on nutrition programs for clients at both food pantry locations, as well as members of the community. Welcome, Jennlliz!

Most needed items in the food pantry this month:

• Flour
• Sugar (1 or 2 lb. bags)
• Vegetable Oil
• Tomato Sauce
• Canned Pineapple and Canned Peaches (no sugar added)
• Family Sized Snacks (crackers, pretzels)

• Toiletries: bar soap, body wash, toothpaste, hair shampoo, toilet paper, and baby wipes (NOTE: we are not currently in need of diapers size 0-5 due to our partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank. Please only donate larger size pull ups size 4T/5T for toddlers, size 6 diapers, or baby wipes if you want to donate items for babies.)

As a reminder, we accept food and toiletry donations Monday - Friday 8-10 am at 4511

Daly Drive Suite H (Back Door) and on the second Saturday monthly 9-11 am.

Community Connections

with Diane Beatley

Sr. Manager, Community Engagement

Help us Fill the Bus at

Wegmans Chantilly!

During the summer months, many children struggle with increased food insecurity because they do not have access to school meals. One way community members can help is by supporting Wegmans Fill the Bus campaign.

All Wegmans stores will be running the Fill the Bus campaign from June 5-19th. Please consider making a donation at the Wegmans Chantilly location on Newbrook Drive to benefit WFCM when paying for groceries at the register or self-checkout.

Thank you to all of you who have supported WFCM during our spring fundraiser. You have generously donated $80,000 toward our goal of $100,000! If you have not yet donated, please consider making a donation before our fiscal year ends on June 30th. Your donation will support more than 1,600 families that we have already served this fiscal year, and continue to serve, as well as help us reach more families who need our support. Together, we can achieve our goal of $100,000 to serve these families! We can only reach this goal with YOUR help.

Donate securely online one time at wfcmva.org/donate and select Spring Appeal 2024 or set up monthly online donations to have an even greater impact! Checks to Western Fairfax Christian Ministries may be mailed to P.O. Box 220802, Chantilly, VA 20153. Thank you!

Save the Date for the 2024 Fall Fundraiser!

Please mark your calendar and plan to attend WFCM's 17th Annual Fall Fundraiser on Sunday evening, October 20, 2024, at Chantilly National Golf and Country Club. Registration will open in July.

Burke / Fairfax CROP Walk

Now celebrating its 32nd year, the Burke/Fairfax CROP Hunger Walk is planned for Sunday, November 3, 2024 at 2pm. The Walk route is approximately 5.8 kilometers (3.6 miles) and begins and ends at Burke Presbyterian Church. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the funds raised will be directed to local hunger-fighting programs including WFCM.

Learn more.