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<\/a><\/p>\nEven in affluent Fairfax County, many families are struggling financially and have not recovered from the pandemic.\u00a0 Some parents work two jobs, while some are unemployed.\u00a0 We can\u2019t know the situation that some kids face, nor expect that all students enjoy the typical scenario in which students do homework at the kitchen table while mom makes dinner.\u00a0 Even in wealthy areas of Northern Virginia, some students live in a shared\/group home, some in hotels or shelters, and a few are homeless. \u00a0Our philanthropic programs try to help the students most in need. At the luncheon, two counselors from a Fairfax County elementary school emphasized how important our philanthropic programs have been to students and their families, and also to the counselors.\u00a0 The counselors noted that part of their job is to help students aspire to a better life, and that the many services we\u2019ve provided help them give the students the most precious gift of all:\u00a0 HOPE.\u00a0 They reported that the weekend food bags are essential to ensuring that the kids have meals over the weekend.\u00a0 The food bags are so important that the students who receive them are rarely absent on the day the bags are distributed.\u00a0 The grocery gift cards that we provide during the summer also fill the food gap and ensure students have nourishment.\u00a0 We held a book fair at the school, where every student selected a new book to keep and we also have provided clothing, shoes, and toiletries. \u00a0The counselor reported that one student stated Assistance League \u2018makes us feel good.\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Because of the camaraderie, thank you notes, and the reports from the counselors shared at the luncheon, our members were reinvigorated to continue in the new year our commitment to helping the most vulnerable in our community.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n