Our October food packing was another huge success. In just over an hour, we packed 1720 food bags for six elementary schools, with the help of 81 volunteers, including our members, Dominion Energy employees, and community volunteers. Helping us again for this event were friends from Didlake and RBH Global Wealth Partners. We were joined for the first time by a team from Transurban.  Transurban’s Express Lanes Community Grant Program had awarded us a grant for our Weekend Food for Kids program, and we used those funds to purchase items in the food bags going to two schools in Fairfax County. We also provided grocery gift cards to a school in Alexandria, and the other seven schools received some grocery cards to help with family emergencies. Next month, we’ll replace a few items in the bags with some ‘wintery’ selections.

We also delivered a variety of clothing to the eight Title 1 schools we serve. Six schools requested winter jackets, and we provided them with 82 coats in different sizes and colors for boys and girls and added the essential accessories: gloves, hats, and scarves. The colorful hats, scarves, and headbands were handmade by our friends in the Dumbarton Hugs Team and the Nativity Craft Club. We also delivered more than 470 clothing items to the eight schools, such as sweatpants and sweatshirts, leggings, T-shirts, and tops, reflecting items on each school’s request. In November, we plan to provide more warm winter clothing based on the schools’ needs. 

Our philanthropic programs aim to help develop well-rounded students by addressing the whole child’s needs. With our October packing, we provided students in need with two essentials: nourishing food and warm clothing.  We are also proud that these packing events include a team that breaks down all the cartons and boxes for recycling.