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Executive Director's Update
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As the calendar year comes to a close, we reflect on our blessings and look for ways that we can bless others in the community. Due to the generosity of many congregations, organizations, and individuals, WFCM staff and volunteers were able to provide more than 750 families with Thanksgiving groceries this year. And, with your continued support, we are prepared to provide December holiday/school's out groceries for hundreds of families again later this month.
This is at a time when more than 600 families are using our client choice food pantries each month. A new client, Hussein, has been using the Centreville Client Choice Food Pantry since July. He recently immigrated from Columbia. Hussein walks from his apartment to our pantry and brings home his family's groceries using the handcarts we provided to him during his first visit. He told our staff how much he appreciates selecting food at the food pantry. "I do not have to go to the grocery store and spend a lot of money on food, I can come here, get groceries, and use the money for my family for housing and other bills and to keep adjusting to life in this country."
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 on their journey to self-sufficiency.
Your partnership ensures clients like Hussein can access our client choice food pantry 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. And, during the next calendar year we are expanding service options to include online ordering and food delivery through pilot programs with grant funding.
Without the fear or reality of hunger and homelessness, families can focus on improving their financial situation to become self-sufficient.
God bless,
Harmonie Taddeo, Executive Director
Photo above is from the Thanksgiving grocery distribution drive-thru on Saturday November 18th during which staff and volunteers served 700 families.
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November 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 24% more families in need at our client choice food pantries in November 2023 versus November 2022. One hundred and fifty-nine (159) families were served at our Centreville Client Choice Food Pantry; twenty-four (24) for the first time. Thank you for your partnership that makes this possible!
The $560,000 in Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) funds provided by Fairfax County Government (from federal ARPA funds) for households referred by Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning for rent assistance for this fiscal year have been spent as of the end of November (with less than $5,000 remaining). This is the reason for the high amount of financial assistance provided in November (and last November using the same ERA grant funds for last fiscal year). Without this special grant, we are typically able to serve 35 families with rent/utility assistance for $30,000 each month.
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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 the Sully District Boy Scouts and coordinator Michael Adere, as well as the many neighbors who donated food, for the 50,000+ lbs. of food we received during the November 4th Scouting for Food event. The canned goods, baking items, toiletries, and other items helped replenish our warehouse. We are also thankful for the grant funds that allowed us to purchase a power pallet jack that moved 45 crates full of food (up to 1,600 lbs.) at a time from the delivery point in our alley into the warehouse. What a great efficiency for our staff and volunteers!
During the Thanksgiving food distribution, we were able to provide Thanksgiving groceries for nearly 500 client families, plus 240 school-referred families, and additional Centreville Immigration Forum members/clients for a total of over 750 families. Our generous partners provided boxes with items including oil, sugar, flour, canned fruit, vegetables, brownie mix, and more. In addition, we provided butter, rolls, milk, eggs, turkey/chicken, fresh vegetables and fresh fruit. This year, we were able to provide deliveries of Thanksgiving food for several clients through Door Dash, at no cost to clients.
During December, in addition to another holiday/school's out food distribution, we are working to launch a Door Dash food delivery pilot program with Capital Area Food Bank along with an online ordering system so that clients who need delivery/curbside pick-up can still benefit from our client choice model. These clients will be able to select from our inventory, viewing options in English/Spanish/pictures and place their orders. We look forward to sharing more about these new programs next calendar year.
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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)
- Pancake Mix
- Syrup
- Rice (Brown, White, 1-2 lbs. bags)
- Refried beans
- Mashed Potatoes
- Coffee (ground, no k-cups)
- Bottled juice (family size, plastic bottles, 100% juice preferred)
- Cake Mix and Brownie Mix
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Toiletries: bar soap, body wash, toothpaste, hair shampoo, hair conditioner, toilet paper, and lotion (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.
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Community Connections
with Diane Beatley
Sr. Manager, Community Engagement
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Partner Spotlight:
Encompass Consulting Group, LLC
Thank you to WFCM partners Eric and Carly Nussbaum at Encompass Consulting Group, LLC for helping to kick off the Calendar Year-End Fundraiser with a generous donation and sponsoring the first tee for WFCM’s 2024 “Spring into Action” Golf Tournament.
Encompass Consulting Group is a small business focused on helping Federal Contractors capture business with the U.S. Government. They partner with clients as trusted advisors, providing expert guidance and hands-on support that leads to enduring success.
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SYA – Neighbors Who Care
Southwestern Youth Association (SYA) is a neighbor to the WFCM client choice food pantry in Centreville and, this year, SYA selected WFCM as a recipient of a portion of the proceeds from SYA’s annual Froghair Golf Tournament.
Over the last 30 years, SYA has donated thousands of pounds of food and supplies to WFCM through various food drives and continues to look for ways to be a good neighbor. SYA and WFCM serve critical roles in western Fairfax County, strengthening families and improving the health and wellbeing of our community, as they are both trustworthy and positive resources.
Since 1973, SYA has been serving the youth of Centreville, Clifton and surrounding areas through sports enrichment, skills development and community outreach. A non-profit youth sports organization with over 2,500 volunteers, SYA offers 13-15 sports on a seasonal basis for various levels, ranging from beginner to a more competitive travel league level. You can learn more about Southwestern Youth Association including how to register for one of their 15 sports here: www.syasports.org
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Dine Out for Charity in December
and Support WFCM!
Enjoy 50% off a great meal at Sedona Taphouse in Chantilly while donating to WFCM. For every HALF PRICE 8 oz. Black Angus Flat Iron Steak, 8 oz. Grilled Chicken, or 7 oz. Norwegian Salmon entrée sold, Sedona Taphouse will donate $1 to our organization!
You must dine in on a Monday and purchase a beverage, and the promotion is limited to one entrée per person.
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Calendar Year-End Fundraiser
When you choose to support Western Fairfax Christian Ministries, your gift ensures more than 4,700 individuals will remain safely housed with food in their refrigerators throughout the year. These families are still experiencing underemployment in the wake of the pandemic along with the rising costs of housing, food, and gas.
Your support of the Year-End Appeal enables us to help our neighbors facing financial instability and food insecurity. We need your help! Your gift will be matched dollar for dollar up to $25,000 by the donation of a local family who wants to ensure that their neighbors are safely housed, and food secure this winter and all year-long. Your investment will support the immediate needs of these families, as well as enable us to implement longer-term solutions for families in our community that help them rise out of poverty.
Together, we can achieve our goal of $125,000 to support our mission!
Please donate by December 31,2023. Checks made payable to Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) may be mailed to P.O. Box 220802, Chantilly, VA 20153. You may also make a secure online donation via credit/debit card, PayPal, Venmo or Bank Transfer (ACH) at wfcmva.org/donate. Please consider becoming a monthly donor. Thank you!
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Save the Date for WFCM’s 2024
Golf Tournament
WFCM’s sixth annual “Spring into Action” Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, May 13, 2024, at Chantilly National Golf & Country Club. Each year, this event includes continental breakfast, lunch, contests, complimentary beverages and snacks on the course, and 18 holes of fun. Registration will open in January. For information about sponsorships or registering to golf, email [email protected].
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