Herndon-Reston FISH, Inc. (Friendly Instant Sympathetic Help) jumpstarted its 2009 Holiday Food Drive on Oct. 24 and 25, at Safeway, South Lakes Shopping Center in Reston.

The patrons of Safeway donated 38 boxes of food, food gift cards and cash during the two days. These donations will provide food baskets for at least 20 families for Thanksgiving.

Among the FISH volunteers on Sunday, Oct. 25, was Sandra Muskelly. FISH helped Muskelly and her children about 17 years ago when they were temporarily homeless. Fairfax County provided housing to the family and FISH donated furniture, clothing and toys. Her youngest was an infant then and is now a college student. Muskelly is an administrative assistant at Northrop Grumman and was eager to give back to FISH by helping at this event, which she learned about from Volunteer Fairfax’s “Volunteer Day” notice.

Businesses, schools and individuals may donate non-perishable food to FISH for the Thanksgiving boxes by Nov. 13 and for the December Holiday boxes by Dec. 15. The goal is to provide food for 650 residents, about 200 families, for each of the two occasions. Grocery store gift certificates of $10 are also requested to supplement the food boxes. Gifts for infants to pre-teens are needed for the December boxes, such as, books, toys, infant supplies and educational toys. Gift cards are optimal for teens.

Point of contact is Holiday Coordinator Robyn Kampf at 571-926-8019 or rhkampf@gmail.com. Tax-deductible check donations may be sent to: Herndon-Reston FISH, Inc., 336 Victory Drive, Herndon, VA 20170. Indicate the check is for the holiday boxes. For information about FISH visit www.herndonrestonfish.org.