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Executive Director's Update
During the month of March, I had the opportunity to represent Western Fairfax Christian Ministries at several events in the community. I was also able to provide a tour of our Chantilly Free Food Market for one of the Leadership Fairfax cohorts, as well as for the new Capital Area Food Bank Senior Director of the NOVA Region. My coworkers, Diane and Wendy, were able to participate in the Empower and Elevate Employment Fair at Mount Olive Baptist Church and WFCM's Deputy Director, Pamela, was able to participate in the Fairfax County Commission for Women's breakfast event celebrating Women's History Month. We are thankful for these opportunities to interact with community members in an effort to raise awareness of the needs in our community, brainstorm solutions, and deepen partnerships for collaboration.
As the needs in western Fairfax County continue to rise, I am thankful for the partnership and support of many organizations and households that have enabled WFCM to serve more than 1,200 families (nearly 4,000 people) so far this fiscal year in our food markets and or by providing financial assistance with rent and utilities.
One of these families includes Evelyn, whose husband works as a carpenter to provide for their three young children. His income is not sufficient to cover their needs, and she is grateful to be able to select food at WFCM’s Free Food Market each month. Evelyn shared, “This program has been very helpful to my family and the staff have always been very kind to me. Thank you.”
It takes many partners working together to serve families in our community in need of assistance. During the month of March, I was grateful to meet with our friends from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to be awarded an in-kind grant for $35,000 of food/toiletry items for calendar-year 2025. I was also happy to attend the Amazon Northern Virginia Community Fund Award Ceremony and to receive a first-time $7,500 grant from Amazon for our Free Food Fridge program that provides weekend meals for 700 school students weekly.
During the fourth quarter of our fiscal year, April -June, I hope that you will consider making a special donation during our spring fundraiser. These donations provide critical support for our operations of two free food markets, our warehouse, and our client services program and enable WFCM's staff and volunteers to provide essential and dignified services to our neighbors during their time of need.
With your support, we will continue to meet the needs in our community!
Thank you.
God bless,
Harmonie Taddeo, Executive Director
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What's New in the Food Markets and Client Services with Pamela Montesinos, Deputy Director
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During the month of March, we served 219 families in our Centreville Free Food Market. We served 23 new families out of the total 714 families served at our two market locations. As a reminder, we are now proving 50 diapers per baby, versus prior allocation of 100 diapers per baby due to the program change implemented by the Greater DC Diaper Bank. We remain grateful for this partnership and for the diapers they provide!
During the month of April, we will be distributing groceries for breakfast and lunch meals to more than 500 client families, with more than 950 school-age children, prior to the Fairfax County Public Schools Spring Break. This "School's Out" distribution will include family size items such as cereal, milk, fresh fruit and juice, as well as individual packs for each child such as cereal bars, fruit cups, tuna, and crackers. Thank you to the congregations and organizations that provided funds for this distribution that will provide each family with at least $30 of additional food over the school break to ensure the kids have breakfast and lunch each day while the schools are closed.
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Most needed items in the Free Food Markets this month:
- Flour (Maseca preferred)
- Sugar (1 or 2 lb. bags)
- Vegetable Oil
- Dried Bean
- Cereal (low sugar preferred)
- Hot Cereal
- Pasta Sauce (no glass containers please)
- Pasta
- Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce, and Tomato Paste
- Canned Fruit (peaches, pears, pineapples)
- Canned Chicken and Canned Tuna
- Family Sized Snacks (crackers, pretzels, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, etc.)
- Jam/Jelly
- Hot Beverages (ground coffee, tea bags, etc.)
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Toiletries: body wash, toothpaste, hair shampoo, hair conditioner, feminine hygiene products (pads), toilet paper, and baby wipes (NOTE: we are not currently in need of diapers due to our partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank. Please only donate 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.
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Community Connections
with Diane Beatley
Sr. Manager, Community Engagement
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Thank you to the local team at Pohanka Automotive Group for their annual business sponsorship renewal and for serving as the Snack Sponsor during our 2nd Walk to End Hunger on October 18, 2025! We appreciate their ongoing support. For more than 100 years, Pohanka Automotive Group has been providing automotive excellence and supporting the community. Thank you, Pohanka!
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Feed Fairfax 5K
Looking for a family-friendly way to support WFCM's weekend meal programs for students in Fairfax County Public Schools? Register today for the Feed Fairfax 5K that will take place on Saturday, May 3 at the Greenbriar Shopping Center. 100% of your race entry fees and donations support WFCM and Food for Others' weekend meal programs for students.
Learn more and register today at feedfairfax.com
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WFCM's 7th Annual
Spring into Action Golf Tournament
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Register now to “spring into action” with WFCM’s Seventh Annual Golf Tournament on Monday, May 12
at Chantilly National Golf & Country Club.
Be part of a fun-filled day of golf at while raising funds to support neighbors in need. We'll start with a light continental breakfast and end with a delicious barbeque lunch. Complimentary beverages and snacks will be available along the course. You may even win a prize in one of the contests!
Not a golfer? Register to join us for lunch and enjoy a time of fellowship.
Please register online by April 28.
| | Thank you to our Tournament Sponsors | | Lazy Dog Fundraiser for WFCM | | |
You can help us raise funds by ordering a meal from Lazy Dog Restaurant in Chantilly the week of April 14 - 20, 2025.
Print this flyer, give it to your server
and 15% of your total bill will be donated
back to WFCM. Ordering takeout? Visit lazydogrestaurants.com, select Chantilly as
the participating location, and
enter the coupon code 01Chantilly.
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Double the Impact of Your Donation
during our Spring Fundraising Appeal
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The needs in Fairfax County continue to rise, and this winter, your support has made it possible for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries to serve more of our neighbors in our free food markets than ever before. The families who come to us face challenges including health conditions, unemployment, underemployment, and caretaking responsibilities. We help families who have found us in the midst of crisis and clients working their way to self-sufficiency. Because of your generosity, we have been able to serve more than 1,200 families so far this fiscal year, making sure they remain safely housed with their basic needs of gas, electricity, water, rent, and most importantly food met.
We need your help! As this new year brings new uncertainties, our commitment to helping neighbors in need remains strong, but we can’t do it without you. Please help ensure we can continue to serve thousands of neighbors with your support of our Spring Fundraising Appeal. Your donation will have double the impact as your gift will be matched dollar for dollar up to $25,000 by a family in Centreville who wants to ensure their neighbors have access to fresh, healthy food.
Your donation will support more than 1,200 families that we have already served this fiscal year, as well as reach more families who need our support. Together, we can achieve our goal of $100,000 to serve these families!
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Donate securely online one time at wfcmva.org/donate and select Spring Appeal 2025 or set up monthly online donations to have an even greater impact!
Checks made out to
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries may be mailed to:
P.O. Box 220802,
Chantilly, VA 20153.
Thank you!
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