It seems that as the memories of the holiday season fade away, so does our urgency to give. Many of us return to our daily routines, and we seem to forget that our neighbors continue to struggle to provide meals for their families. And although many continue to be in need after the holiday season, food donations drop and our food banks face shortages.
February is National Canned Food Month, and to help respond to those in need, my office will be working with local charities to help combat these shortages. Canned foods are popular in many households because of their ability to provide quick and convenient meals, and because they have a long shelf life, making them an even more important resource for food banks providing assistance throughout the year.
This is a critical issue for Fairfax County as there are an estimated 69,000 residents who are at risk of experiencing hunger. As you are browsing the overstocked shelves this weekend at your local grocery stores, please remember those less fortunate and consider giving to a community food bank. Throughout the month of February, please bring canned food items (along with other staples like oil, flour, sugar, and spaghetti sauce) to my office and we will disburse these much needed food items to four fantastic charities right here in our community. Giving back to the community, and helping those in need, is a gift you can give regardless of the time of year.
In case you are a looking for a food bank in our area, here are some options:
ACCA - A church-related voluntary organization providing day care, food, rental assistance, furniture, and other services to low-income families in the Annandale/Bailey's Crossroads area. Learn more at http://accacares.org
Food for Others - Northern Virginia’s primary safety net for those needing food when an emergency strikes, and for the growing number of working poor who are unable to make ends meet. Learn more at http://www.foodforothers.org
ECHO - The purpose of Ecumenical Community Helping Others (ECHO), Inc. is to help people in need in our community by assisting those who suffer the effects of long-term poverty as well as people who are experiencing an emergency need. Learn more at www.echo-inc.org
Our Daily Bread - provides our Fairfax County area neighbors with short-term safety-net services and empowers them to work toward long-term self-sufficiency. Learn more at https://www.odbfairfax.org