Lifting Up Local Students

“Kids don’t learn when they are hungry,” stated Raven Jones, Principal of Luther Jackson Middle School, where students, community members, and partnering organizations came together with Food For Neighbors to tackle teen food insecurity.

Local volunteers collected and sorted donations from over 370 households, whose generosity resulted in approximately 5,000 pounds of food and toiletries for students attending schools in the Falls Church area alone. These include Luther Jackson Middle School, Falls Church High School, Justice High School, Annandale High School, and Cedar Lane School. The donations represent a portion of the over 26,500 pounds of food that Food For Neighbors collected from over 2,000 households to help students in Fairfax, Arlington, and Loudoun counties. With the news that Luther Jackson received the 2,000th Food For Neighbors household collection of the day–a record number for the organization–the crowd erupted in cheers, adding to the excitement of the event as over 100 volunteers collected and sorted food into bins bound for the schools.

“Every bin our community filled today equates to a kid with food insecurity who is going to have a full stomach,” said Karl Frisch, Chair and Providence District Representative of the FCPS School Board, who spent the morning sorting and packing food. He added, “Food For Neighbors plays a vital role in addressing food insecurity throughout Fairfax County. They go above and beyond to serve our communities and make a positive impact in the lives of many students and their families. Being around such caring and committed individuals is always a rewarding experience.”

The many donations were made possible by the innovative Red Bag Program. The heart of Food For Neighbors, the Red Bag Program mobilizes individuals to shop for shelf-stable food and toiletry items, place them in reusable red bags, and set the bags on their doorsteps for collection. Volunteer drivers pick up the filled red bags and bring them to one of several collection sites, where additional volunteers sort and deliver the food to local partnering schools. At the schools, social workers and other staff identify students in need and connect them with these reliable, vital resources.

“Food For Neighbors has been instrumental in removing barriers to food access,” shared Principal Jones.” She added, “The food is designed with our students in mind. They don’t need a full kitchen. Food For Neighbors’ Red Bag Program helps us provide quick, easy, nutritious meals that students can prepare themselves.”

Luther Jackson Pantry Coordinator Kate Lauderdale, who is an ESOL teacher, noted the value of the pantry, “I can make sure our kids have a meal before a test, a snack to take on field trips, and food to bring home–so they can focus on their work–not hunger.”

This impact would not be possible without local business supporters, like Pyramid Systems, which since December 2022 has been a steadfast Food For Neighbors partner, providing volunteers and key financial support. In addition to its commitment to delivering “digital solutions that modernize government,” Pyramid Systems is dedicated to making a positive impact in its neighboring communities. Sherry Hwang, Co-founder of Pyramid Systems, presented a $2,500 check to Food For Neighbors at the event and brought an enthusiastic Pyramid Cares crew to volunteer.

Terra Lee, who leads the Pyramid Cares Committee, said, “We were inspired by the grassroots efforts of Food For Neighbors, and wanted to get right in and see where our time and money goes.” She shared,“Pyramid is committed to helping build communities that last. Pyramid Cares provides financial aid and organizes volunteer services for local underserved communities and disaster relief efforts.”

Volunteers and businesses like Pyramid Systems have helped Food For Neighbors welcome two additional schools this month, Fairfax High School and South County Middle School, bringing the total partnering schools to 47 and the total students served to over 7,500. In 2023, the nonprofit provided over 114,000 pounds of food and toiletries to partnering schools, and in 2024 it anticipates providing over 125,000 pounds. Food For Neighbors also offers interested participating schools grocery store gift cards for their most vulnerable students and families.

Young Men’s Service League member, Aidan Buckley, who along with his mom, Nicole, helped sort food, feels the local connection. He shared, “Our work has an immediate impact on our community. I know these kids and can see how it is helping.”

Removing the obstacle of hunger adds immensely to the quality of life for students, who then have the opportunity to focus on their education and relationships. Paula Prettyman, Food For Neighbors’ Falls Church Area Manager is proud of the organization’s impact. “The reliable and easily accessible supplemental food resources mean more students are attending school more regularly, focusing better on their schoolwork, and improving their grades,” she said. “These outcomes give students a better chance to reach their full potential, which lifts up the students, their families, and the community as a whole.”

Food For Neighbors always needs more food and toiletries for the students it supports in a growing number of schools. To get involved by joining the Red Bag program, volunteering, or donating, visit Food For Neighbors.