Hunger Action Month is in Full Swing

September is Hunger Action Month in America

Can you guess how long it took us to get this staff picture?

If you guessed about 4 hours, you'd be right. Every time we tried to pull everyone together, something came up. A truck pulled in with our milk delivery. An unexpected vegetable donation came in. A donor needed food drive boxes. The phone rang. The front doorbell rang. And rang.

We usually use this space to tell you about our incredible volunteers, our brave and resilient clients, or our amazing donors. Today, half-way through Hunger Action Month, we want to tell you about our phenomenal staff.

This team stood shoulder to shoulder to serve those in need when we knew so little about COVID-19 and how it spread--when we had no idea what the risk level was.

They worked extended hours through the early days of the COVID-19 crisis, when demand for services quadrupled just as our volunteer program was suspended. They faced unknown risks and kept at it, knowing that families depend on us for their most basic need--food.

These are the folks who answer the phones, pick up rescued food from grocery stores, purchase the food that doesn't get donated, manage the warehouse, take care of families in need in our parking lot, and try their best to make sure every single person we interact with is treated with grace, respect and dignity.

This team stands up for families in need of food. And they believe that no one should go hungry - not in their community.

Meet some of the team who make it happen:

Justo, our longest tenured employee and our Operations Manager, has the magic touch. He keeps the vehicle fleet running, everyone's schedules in synch, and lets the client service folks know how much of any given food category we have at any moment. He's like the calm center of the hurricane and does it all with a smile.

You may already know Carla. Her official title is Volunteer Manager, but she is so much more. She keeps things humming along, stays three steps ahead of everyone else, troubleshoots anything that goes wrong, and makes sure our volunteers have a great experience and know their importance to our mission.

Fernando drives the early morning pick up runs from the grocery stores, and helps with moving freight around the warehouse. He's amazingly good at moving our pallet lift around our tiny warehouse space.

Ismael has been with LHR for more than 10 years. He is indispensable in the warehouse, and has a map in his head of exactly where everything is. When Ismael goes on vacation, we count the hours until he's back.

Ruby is one of our client services coordinators. She helps people figure out not just how to get food from LHR when they need it, but how to get other help and services in Loudoun County. And she does it with a good helping of her sparkly personality and warmth.

Justo, Carla, Fernando, Ismael and Ruby represent parts of the dynamic LHR team - Operations, Client Services, Volunteers and Admin. We are convinced that there is nothing this team can't do, especially with your support. None of them want recognition, but we thought you should know a little about what they do and what they stand for.

They are Hunger Action Month. Every day. All day.

YOU can be a part of our team by taking action during Hunger Action Month.

Ways to TAKE ACTION:

Donate Food! Food donations are most helpful if they are breakfast cereal, hearty soups, or canned tuna and chicken. Loudoun Hunger is open to receive donations six days a week at the Leesburg pantry location. Please see the website at loudounhunger.org for drop off times.

Donate Money! Your financial assistance offers us the most flexibility in getting the food we need at the time needed.

Donate Now!

Loudoun Hunger Relief | loudounhunger.org