Wrapping Up National Volunteer Week in Service

140 volunteers! That’s approximately how many community members rolled up their sleeves at Riverside Presbyterian Church in Sterling and Crossroads United Methodist Church in Ashburn on April 27th to collect and sort over 3,900 pounds of food and toiletries bound for Loudoun County Public Schools in the Sterling and Ashburn areas–Belmont Ridge MS, Dominion HS, Park View HS, Potomac Falls HS, River Bend MS, Riverside HS, Seneca Ridge MS, Sterling MS, Stone Bridge HS, Stone Hill MS, and William O. Robey HS. These are eleven of 47 Food For Neighbors (FFN) schools that received nearly 26,000 pounds of donations collected. It was the perfect way to highlight the power of volunteerism as National Volunteer Week came to a close.

Liz Campbell, who has been heading the Sterling leadership team for years, shared her volunteer journey with Food For Neighbors. “As a stay-at-home mom with kids old enough to volunteer, our family was told about FFN and their mission,” said Campbell. “They were expanding their reach into Loudoun County, and we jumped at the chance to help. Six years later, even with children in college now, I am still a volunteer for this amazing organization because, in addition to helping food insecure teens, it fills my cup too. Volunteering provides a feeling of helping others less fortunate, a way of giving back, while meeting new people in the community and social workers from local schools. I see myself helping in this capacity for a long time to come!”

In Loudoun County, 31 volunteer drivers and their helpers collected over 3,900 pounds of food and toiletries from 309 generous households. The drivers then delivered the donations to either Riverside Presbyterian Church or Crossroads United Methodist Church, where nearly 80 volunteers sorted them for delivery to nearby schools. Acuity International delivered generous food drive donations, and a number of other organizations joined volunteers in providing hands-on support. Participating groups included the Key Club, Twisters Cheer, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Allstate, which has generously provided Food For Neighbors with volunteer and financial support since 2020.

“My Allstate team loves volunteering with Food For Neighbors because we can see a direct impact on helping youth hunger in our community,” shared Christine Angles, Agency Owner. “The food packing event is so well organized, and the other volunteers have such a passion for this program. Local middle and high schoolers are lucky to have the Red Bag Program assisting them, and we feel fortunate to be a part of the mission.”

Food For Neighbors helps schools establish in-house pantries and mobilizes communities surrounding the schools to fill them with food and toiletries donated through the nonprofit's popular Red Bag Program. This makes food readily accessible for students to get a boost of energy during the school day and to take home to enjoy over weekends and holidays. For the most vulnerable students, Food For Neighbors also provides grocery store gift cards, so students and their families may shop for food that they most need, like fresh fruits and vegetables.

School staff, who connect Food For Neighbors resources with teens in need, have shared heartfelt stories about the gratitude and relief that students and their families feel when they receive the supplemental food support. Staff surveys also reflect that the majority of students experience multiple, positive impacts, including more regular school attendance and better focus. This helps students reach their full potential, which lifts them and the community up as a whole.

Karen Joseph, Founder and Executive Director, greatly appreciates the many community members that make Food For Neighbors’ mission possible. She shared, “As National Volunteer Week comes to a close, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you who has dedicated your time and energy to our mission at Food For Neighbors. Your commitment lights the way toward a brighter future, free from childhood hunger. Your actions inspire hope and warmth within our community. We are deeply grateful for your efforts and truly could not do this without you. Thank you for being such an integral part of our journey and for your continued support.”

To learn more about Food For Neighbors and join more than 3,000 Red Bag donors and over 3,400 volunteers in making a difference, scan the below QR code or visit https://www.foodforneighbors.org/get-involved/.