Dear Friends,


Happy 2026! We hope the beginning of the year has been a bright and hopeful one for you. Your help for those in need of food in our community makes for a brighter and more hopeful year for so many.


It was a particularly busy fall at the Leesburg pantry. We also opened the Sterling pantry for service. If you happened to stop by for a tour, or to drop off a donation, you probably noticed how busy the warehouse and market were. Thanks to you, LHR has the food and resources we need to serve our neighbors. We appreciate you!

Please read through this newsletter for important updates on upcoming closings, and information on some tax changes that might impact your donations.


Thanks for walking into another year with us and for caring about our neighbors. We wish you a safe and peaceful start to the new year.

With gratitude,

The Loudoun Hunger Relief Team 🌟

Thank you, M&T Bank!

We are the proud recipient of a $25,000 grant from the M&T Bank Charitable Foundation! Their generosity is shown through their community support, and we are honored to partner with them!

Our Pet Pantry in Sterling!

Through our partnership with Loudoun County Animal Services and Loudoun Humane Society, we said hello to our new pet pantry at our Sterling location! Because we believe no one in Loudoun should be hungry, including our beloved pets.

We Need Condiments and Seasonings!

An often-forgotten pantry staple, condiments like ketchup and mustard and spices like salt and pepper are in high-demand at LHR! If you would like to help us provide these food items to our neighbors, please consider donating. Our donation hours can be found on our website.

Some Tax Changes in 2026

A few new tax regulations take effect this year and may impact your charitable giving. We encourage you to talk with your tax professional about the changes.

More information can be found here, but here are some key takeaways:

• Beginning in 2026, individuals and couples who take the standard deduction may once again be able to deduct charitable gifts: up to $1,000 for individuals and $2,000 for couples filing jointly.

• Changes affecting larger gifts may make options like donor-advised funds (DAFs) worth considering. A DAF allows you to make a charitable contribution now and recommend grants to nonprofits over time. If you’re curious about DAFs, the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties can be a helpful resource.

• Giving through a direct distribution from a qualified retirement account may worth consideration if it works with your personal tax situation. Just check with Trish McNeal at LHR for instructions on how to do this.

• Legacy giving matters. Many supporters think about charitable giving as part of their long-term plans through bequests, beneficiary designations, or other planned gifts that reflect the values they hope to pass on.

Because every situation is unique, we always encourage donors to talk with a trusted tax or financial advisor about what approach to giving feels right for them.

Upcoming Pantry Closings

Our offices and pantry will be closed:

Monday, February 16

Please do not leave donations outside while we are closed. 

If you or someone you know needs additional human services like rent or utility assistance, please go to the Loudoun County Information & Referral website for more details or call 703-777-0420! For additional food resources, please visit Loudoun Feeds.

Are you planning your estate or portfolio giving?

Contact Trish McNeal to discuss options including IRA Rollover, Beneficiary Designations, Gifts of Stock, and other ways to give. LHR is honored to accept bequests and other legacy gifts.