It's November and that means that the LINK organization of 14 churches, which have operated here in eastern Loudoun County and Herndon since 1972, again need help to meet the needs of families living in the area who are hungry and who need winter coats during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season.
LINK needs not only food and coat donations to give to some 6,000 of the poorest here, but also a bit of time, if residents can give it, to help collect, organize and distribute the goods that are generously given each year.
Last year, LINK spent less than $4,000 on operating expenses. The organization has no paid employees, has no office, owns no vehicles, yet touches the lives of thousands of people each year.
The winter coat distribution will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21, at Sterling United Methodist Church, 304 E. Church Rd. in Sterling. Winter coats, scarves, mittens and hats are all needed (in all sizes) and may be donated to the church starting Sunday, Nov. 15, until Thursday, Nov. 19, between 8:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., and on Friday, Nov. 20, from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Volunteers are needed to help sort the donations for distribution to needy local families on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Meanwhile, also on Saturday, Nov. 21, food donations will be distributed from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to needy families at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church, 45833 Harry Byrd Highway (Rt. 7) just west of the Sugarland Crossing Shopping Center, and at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 651 Dranesville Road, Herndon.

DONATIONS of nonperishable food may be dropped off during sorting hours at either of the two churches. LINK is also supported by Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops and other youth organizations who might leave a bag on doorsteps on a Saturday, asking that it be filled for collection the next Saturday.
Volunteers are especially needed at both churches for sorting and distribution on Monday, Nov. 16, and Thursday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to noon and from 7 to 9 p.m. Final preparations are done on Friday, Nov. 20, from 9 a.m. until finished.
Food distribution occurs on Saturday, Nov. 21. Volunteers are needed to re-stock, assist families, act as translators and clean up at both churches between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Volunteer drivers deliver food to people who are home-bound the same day from 9 a.m. until noon.
Drivers are also needed to pick up food donations from schools and other sites on Monday, Nov. 16, and on Thursday, Nov. 19, to be delivered to the same two churches.

THIS PROCESS to distribute food for Thanksgiving is repeated again for Christmas. Food distribution will occur at the same two churches on Saturday, Dec. 19, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.
LINK also operates a Christmas toy distribution for needy families, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., also on Saturday, Dec. 19, at Herndon United Methodist Church, 701 Bennett St. in Herndon.
As residents shop for their own children's Christmas presents, they might think of the less fortunate and buy another toy or two as a contribution to the LINK toy drive. Several area business locations offer space for toy collection each year, or take the toy contributions to Herndon UMC from Dec. 14 to 18 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Consider helping LINK this year by donating some hours for food or toy sorting and distribution.
Call LINK at 703-437- 4409 or email Diana@hamiltongroup.com.