August 2024

WFCM News For You

Executive Director's Update

“We moved to Fairfax in January with our baby and I was not able to find a job as quickly as we had hoped. WFCM assisted with groceries from February – July and now we are happy to share that I have found work to support my family, and no longer need this assistance. I am thankful that I never had to choose between paying rent and providing food for my family, due to the support we received. Thank you for your support. God bless you all.” RA

July began a new fiscal year for WFCM and as we continue to run fiscal-year end reports, we are happy to see continued positive trends for the families we serve. In Fiscal Year 2023, July 2022 - June 2023, our clients experienced a 12% improvement in employment with 69% of households including an employed adult. In Fiscal Year 2024, that just ended on June 30, this employment trend continued with 77% of households including an employed adult! Unfortunately, employment does not mean that these hardworking individuals are working as many hours as they want/need to support their families and often they are earning only a minimum wage instead of a living wage. In fact, 55% of the families we served last fiscal year earned no more than 100% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines, or $31,200 for a family of four. This is the reason that our services are critical to ensure these families remain safely housed with groceries as they strive to increase wages and build out of poverty.

During his July appointment, it was wonderful to hear a client, RA, tell his Client Services Specialist that he would not need anymore appointments as he had found employment that would support his family. He was proud and also wanting to make room for new families in need to select the groceries they need. As we continue into August, we are thankful for the support of our community for ensuring we can meet those needs. A great example is Wegmans Chantilly Fill the Bus; through customer donations/round-ups, this wonderful partner donated $7,806 for our Free Food Market operations. Thank you, Wegmans and Wegmans shoppers!

Thank you to each of you who support the work of WFCM. You are making a difference. This year, as we continue to serve a rising number of families, please consider if you can get involved at a greater level of impact to ensure the needs of our neighbors are met.

God bless,

Harmonie Taddeo, Executive Director

What's New in the Food Markets and Client Services with Pamela Montesinos, Deputy Director

In July, we served 764 families in our Free Food Markets; 217 in Centreville. That is a 34% increase compared to July 2023. We served 33 families for the first time. Due to new guidelines by the Greater DC Diaper Bank, we are providing 50 diapers per baby per month (as opposed to 100 or 75 per baby per month in the past) which is the reason for the decrease in diapers provided. There was not a decrease in families/babies served. We remain thankful for this partnership which still provides a value of $20 in diapers per baby each month for families and allows us to provide diapers for all clients with babies/toddlers under 3 years of age, as well as additional eligible families in the community.

Recently, we surveyed clients using our Free Food Markets regarding holiday food/school's out food that we will provide in partnership with many local congregations and businesses just prior to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays/school breaks. We want to ensure we provide the food families need and want most. Nearly 30% of families who used the markets completed the online survey. We plan to modify the fresh food and non-perishable boxed items based on their feedback. However, several items such as milk, eggs, turkey, and chicken remain top priorities for families.

In response to the "do you have any other feedback for us?" question, we received more than 20 wonderful comments expressing gratitude for asking for preferences, providing choice, and providing plentiful food including these (some translated):

"Thanks for having a survey and for all the hard work."

"Thank you for your help and support...thank you for existing."

"Thank you for the food. I am grateful."

"Thank you for helping our families in need."

"We appreciate the love and affection you have for sharing food. Thank you very much."

Most needed items in the Free Food Market this month:

Flour
Sugar (1 or 2 lb. bags)
Vegetable Oil
Pasta Sauce
Pasta
Cereal (low sugar preferred)
Pancake Mix
Family Sized Snacks (crackers, pretzels)
Canned Chicken

Toiletries: bar soap, body wash, toothpaste, hair shampoo, toilet paper, and baby wipes (NOTE: we are not currently in need of diapers size 0-5 due to our partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank. Please only donate larger size pull ups size 4T/5T for toddlers, size 6 diapers, or baby wipes if you want to donate items for babies.)

As a reminder, we accept food and toiletry donations Monday - Friday 8-10 am at 4511

Daly Drive Suite H (Back Door) and on the second Saturday monthly 9-11 am.

Community Connections

with Diane Beatley

Sr. Manager, Community Engagement

Partner Spotlight: Wegmans Food Markets - Chantilly

We are grateful for Wegmans Chantilly for their steadfast partnership with WFCM since the store opened. Recently, they hosted the "Fill the Bus" campaign and collected $7,806 from Wegmans customers to support WFCM's Chantilly and Centreville Free Food Markets.

Did you know that Wegmans Chantilly donated more than 67,000 pounds of food to WFCM during Fiscal Year 2024 (July 2023 - June 2024)? This food is stocked in our refrigerators and on shelves each week for families.

Thank you, Wegmans Chantilly team members and customers!

Fall FUNdraiser Events

October 19 & 20, 2024!

This year we have a new family-friendly way

to get involved and support the work of WFCM.

You can enjoy a Saturday walk or a Sunday dinner, or both!

Together We Walk To End Hunger!

Join this one-mile family-friendly walk during the Centreville Day Parade to raise awareness of food insecurity in our community while raising funds for solutions. Generously sponsored by Keener Insurance Agency, Inc., 100% of walker registration fees benefit Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM)'s Free Food Markets!

Saturday, October 19, 2024

11:00 AM

Historic Centreville

Fall Fellowship Dinner 2024

Join friends and neighbors for a special evening featuring a gourmet cheese appetizer, hearty Italian buffet, and cookies and ice cream for dessert. We'll fellowship with the many caring connections that make WFCM's work possible -- providing families with the essential resources of food and financial assistance to maintain safe housing and strengthen food security. Guests will be able to participate in a virtual silent auction prior to the dinner and have the chance to win raffle prizes that evening.

More Ways to Support Our Fall FUNdraisers

Interested in your business, congregation, or organization serving as a sponsor

for our Fall Fundraiser?

Would you like to donate a gift card or experience for the online auction?

Email donorsupport@wfcmva.org to let us know.

Unable to participate in the Walk to End Hunger or Fall Fundraiser, but want to support WFCM's mission of providing food and financial support to those at risk of hunger and homelessness in western Fairfax County?

Consider making a secure online donation with the button below; make an even greater impact with a monthly recurring donation.

We appreciate every gift and thank you for your partnership.

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