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Executive Director's Update
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The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors established the week of November 11-18 as "Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in Fairfax County" to raise awareness about the pressing issues of hunger and homelessness. Chairman McKay and Supervisors Alcorn, Foust, and Palchik stated the following in the proclamation:
Helping community members who are most in need of food and housing assistance requires a comprehensive and compassionate approach that includes collaboration between government agencies, nonprofit and faith-based organizations, and individual community members. We are fortunate to live in a community that cares, one where the more we are aware of the challenges of food insecurity and homelessness, the more likely we are to come together to address how we solve those challenges.
WFCM was honored to be included in the proclamation presentation and to work alongside Fairfax County Government and many local non-profit organizations to address hunger and homelessness in our community.
Your support of our client choice food pantries and financial assistance programs are key to keeping families safely housed with food in their refrigerators and cupboards. Earlier this month, we received a note from Chuck, a volunteer with Volunteer Solutions of the Fairfax County Department of Family Services. Chuck is a retired social worker with over 40 years of service with Fairfax County. He was assisting our client, Tom, by bringing him to and from his food pantry appointment. Chuck wrote, "Your new client Tom sure is happy with all of the groceries and personal care items he received! Tom loaded up his collapsible cart back at the apartments, then wheeled the overflowing supply up to the lobby and elevator. He said, "Man, they sure gave me a lot today. They were ready for me at the check in window, took me back, got a grocery cart. All went really well." As a volunteer with Volunteer Solutions, I see you all treat your clients with dignity. It's much appreciated!"
Your partnership ensures clients like Tom can access our client choice food each month to choose the food and toiletries they need. Providing substantial food that will last for two weeks to address their urgent need, means less trips to our pantry saving families time and money. Without the fear or reality of hunger and homelessness, the families can focus on improving their financial situation to become self-sufficient.
Thank you and God bless,
Harmonie Taddeo, Executive Director
Photo above is from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting on October 24th during which the Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week proclamation was presented. I was happy to attend along with WFCM's Director of Operations & Programs and several of our non-profit partners in the community.
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October 2023 Service Update
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 is lower.
We were able to serve 29% more families in need in October 2023 versus October 2022. One hundred and fifty-six (156) families were served at our Centreville Client Choice Food Pantry. Thank you for your partnership that makes this possible!
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What's New in the Food Pantry and Client Services with Pamela Montesinos
Director of Client Operations & Programs
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We are thankful to all the partners including Accenture and NOVEC that volunteered during the month of October to prepare toiletry packets, pack Free Food Fridge food for our school partners, clean our warehouse and vans, work in our garden, and stock food donations! It truly takes a village to serve 600+ families in our food pantry while also serving 600 additional families via our 14 satellite site Free Food Fridges, and preparing for holiday/school's out food in November and December.
As our Free Food Fridge program has grown, I am excited to welcome Vicky Huang to our team! Vicky serves as our Food Pantry Program Assistant packing and delivering food to many of our Fairfax County Public School partners with Free Food Fridges, as well as handling other deliveries in the community. She is working well with our Food Pantry Assistant Manager, Patrick, and volunteers to ensure timely deliveries that meet the needs of our partners.
As we enter November, we are getting ready for holiday/school's out food. We will provide turkey, chicken, fresh vegetables, milk, eggs, yogurt, and many canned goods in partnership with several congregations and organizations in our community. The drive-thru model allows safe, fast, and dignified pick up as we serve hundreds of families on two Saturdays. Thank you to all the partners and volunteers who make this possible!
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Most needed items in the food pantry this month:
- Flour (1-5 lb. bag)
- Maseca Corn Flour
- Hot cereal (Oatmeal, Grits)
- Sugar (White, Brown)
- Rice (Brown, White, 1-2 lbs. bags)
- Boxed Pasta (ziti, macaroni, bow-tie, penne)
- Snacks (family size, crackers, pretzels, popcorn)
- Cake Mix and Brownie Mix
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Toiletries: bar soap, body wash, toothpaste, hair conditioner, toilet paper, and lotion (NOTE: we are not currently in need of diapers size 0-4 due to our partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank. Please only donate larger size pull ups size 4T/5T for toddlers, size 5 or 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.
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Community Connections
with Diane Beatley
Sr. Manager, Community Engagement
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Partner Spotlight: NOVEC
We are thankful for our long-standing partnership with the Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) and their philanthropic foundation, NOVEC HELPS. Each month, NOVEC provides funds to WFCM from “Operation Round Up” that we use to help families pay their electric bills. In 2022, more than $27,000 in funds from NOVEC’s Operation Round Up were used to pay NOVEC bills for WFCM clients.
On October 24th, during their "Day of Caring" NOVEC also made a generous donation and secured a matching donation to WFCM for a total of over $6,000!
The “Day of Caring”, organized by NOVEC Helps, included 20+ NOVEC employees and partners serving at WFCM. Volunteers sorted and crated food, moved crates and pallets to clean the warehouse, decanted laundry detergent, bagged bulk produce into family-size portions, cleaned garden beds, and so much more. We are grateful for their service and ongoing support.
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WFCM’s Annual Fall FUNdraiser was a success!
It was all about Food, Fellowship, and Fun as we raised awareness and funded solutions on Sunday, October 15th. The special evening featured a Gourmet Garden Buffet, bingo, and WFCM trivia. Thank you to all the donors, sponsors, and attendees who ensured we were successful in meeting our fundraising goal while enjoying a wonderful evening of fellowship!
Thank you to all the fantastic sponsors:
Keener Insurance Agency Inc. - Presenting Event Sponsor
WFCM Founding Congregations - Gourmet Garden Buffet
King of Kings Lutheran Church - Entertainment Sponsor
Fairfax Church of Christ - Appetizer Sponsor
The Point Knife and Tool Sharpening - Dessert Sponsor
The Church of the Ascension - Centerpiece Sponsor
Grace Covenant Church - Virtual Silent Auction Sponsor
Bloom Brand Strategies - Registration Sponsor
Ready to learn about our Spring into Action Golf Tournament that will take place on May 13, 2024? Contact Diane at [email protected] to get a sneak peek at our plans or secure your sponsorship!
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Wegmans – Checkout Hunger
From October 25 – November 29, 2023, shoppers at Wegmans Chantilly have the opportunity to donate to WFCM during checkout by rounding up their purchase amount or selecting any amount they choose. The annual Checkout Hunger campaign is a great way to support our work while shopping for groceries!
100% of the donation supports Western Fairfax Christian Ministries when you choose to Checkout Hunger at Wegmans Chantilly this month!
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Stone Middle School Walk to End Hunger
On Thursday, October 19, students, families, and staff at Stone Middle School raised awareness about food insecurity in our community through the National Junior Honor Society's Walk to End Hunger. The students collected 100+ pounds of food and over $1,000 to help neighbors in need. Thank you!
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Giving Tuesday is November 28, 2023
Giving Tuesday is an opportunity for people around the world to use their individual power of generosity to remain connected and support their communities. People can show their generosity in a variety of ways during Giving Tuesday—whether it’s helping a neighbor, advocating for an issue, sharing a skill, or giving to causes, everyone has something to give, and every act of generosity counts. Please consider donating to WFCM on this special day to kick off our calendar year-end giving campaign.
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