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Executive Director's Update
During the first half of November, community members (and people nationwide) experienced unprecedented challenges due to the length of the federal government shutdown and delay in SNAP benefits. At WFCM, we experienced a spike in new families coming for food (72 families accessing services for the first time) as well as in the number of requests for immediate food (without appointment) for current and former clients. I am extremely thankful to the many friends of WFCM who donated funds for us to purchase food so that we could increase the items provided for immediate food to include cereal, shelf table milk, peanut butter, crackers, cans of tuna, packages of spaghetti, pasta sauce, apple sauce, apples, milk, eggs, produce, and chicken.
I am also grateful and amazed by the community members who collectively donated 60,240 lbs. of food and toiletries to WFCM during Scouting for Food on Saturday November 8th. With the incredible organization of the National Capital Area Cub Run District (formerly Sully District) Scouts, volunteers at the sort site, and volunteers and staff members at the WFCM warehouse, we were able to collect, weigh, store, and stock these donations so that they were available to community members the following Monday, November 10th.
Prior to the Thanksgiving holiday, on Saturday November 22nd (and the following Monday thru Wednesday) we distributed Thanksgiving groceries including chicken or turkey, milk, eggs, butter, potatoes, fruit, canned vegetables, instant potatoes, canned fruit, chicken broth, rice, sugar, oil, and baking mix (valued at $72 for a family of 1-4 and $112 for a family of 5+) to 846 families including 657 WFCM client families and 189 social worker referred families from the 24 Fairfax County Public Schools in the Centreville, Chantilly, and Westfield school pyramids. This holiday food is entirely funded by the community and included the donation of 1,135 boxes of nonperishable food from local congregations and organizations, as well as donations of more than $17,000 for the fresh food.
Your partnership is critical and impactful as we work with community members, helping people to remain safely housed with food to prepare meals. Kasey* is one of the 3,275 people we've served this fiscal year (since July 1). Kasey was working at USAID when she lost her job earlier this year. She was struggling to pay her bills while looking for a new job. WFCM assisted with her rent, and she remained safely housed. In October, Kasey reached out to her WFCM case worker to share that she found a new job and is now financially stable. Kasey made a donation online with this message, "WFCM supported me during one of my most difficult moments in life. The kindness and generosity received and felt from their staff was beyond what I could imagine. This donation is to support them so they can uplift others, just like they uplifted me.” You helped ensure Kasey could thrive and now she is a partner helping us to serve others.
Thank you for your partnership in this important work to end hunger, reduce food insecurity, and keep families safely housed.
God bless,
Harmonie Taddeo, Executive Director
*Name changed for privacy
Photographed above L to R - Kris A., District Aide to Congressman Walkinshaw, Congressman James Walkinshaw, me, Alisa B., Fairfax County Government Neighborhood and Community Services Food Access Manager distributing eggs during the Thanksgiving Food distribution
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What's New in the Food Markets and Client Services with Pamela Montesinos, Deputy Director
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In November, we served 72 new families. We provided client choice food selection for 680 unduplicated families and Thanksgiving groceries for 846 families (including 657 WFCM client households and 189 school-referred families). We are grateful for our partnership with DoorDash that enabled us to provide deliveries of monthly groceries and holiday food to 79 households during the month.
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*Average weight of a bag is 21 lbs.
**Food value 1 lb. of food FY 2026 = $1.90
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Thank you for your donations
during Scouting for Food!
Thank you to all our neighbors who, together, donated
60,240 lbs. of food and toiletries during Scouting for Food! We are especially appreciative of Michael Adere for coordinating the sort site (and all that he does) for the Cub Run District, as well as all the volunteers and Scouts who make this food drive possible!
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Thank you for your food and financial donations to provide Thanksgiving Groceries for our neighbors!
Thank you to the partners who donated 1,135 boxes of nonperishable food, $17,000 for fresh food, and an in-kind donation of the butter enabling us to provide Thanksgiving groceries for 846 families. (Families of 5+ received two boxes of nonperishable food plus fresh food).
Many thanks to our friends at:
Centreville UMC, Pleasant Valley UMC, King of Kings Lutheran, Saint Andrew Lutheran, Fairfax Church of Christ, Gateway Community, Lord of Life Lutheran, Church of the Epiphany Anglican, Western Fairfax Women's Club, Union Mill Elementary, Grace Covenant, Saint John's Episcopal, Christ Presbyterian, Clifton Presbyterian, Zion Worship Center, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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Most needed items in the Free Food Markets this month:
Due to the generous nonperishable food and toiletry donations we received during Scouting for Food (60,240 lbs.), our current most needed items list is limited to:
- White or Wheat Flour (5lb. bag or less)
- Sugar (1lb. or 2lb. bag)
- Oil (vegetable, canola, olive)
- Similac Baby Formula (blue label)
- Toiletries: feminine hygiene products (pads) and baby wipes
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
| | | Partner Spotlights: Friends of WFCM Annual Sponsors | | |
With the federal government shutdown in October and early November and the delay of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits in early November, many families are feeling the impacts from delayed income, delayed benefits, and increased costs.
WFCM is working hard to meet the growing needs of families.
We need your help. Your donation to WFCM by December 31st will ensure thousands of individuals in our community remain safely housed with food in their refrigerators and cupboards.
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Your donation supports the immediate needs of 700+ families served monthly, as well as enables us to implement and sustain longer-term solutions to help families rise out of poverty.
| | Giving Tuesday Silent Auction | | Interested supporters may register on the auction site using the link and preview the items prior to the auction start, but no bids will be accepted before 9:00 am, December 2. | | |
For one day only, on Giving Tuesday, December 2, 2025, WFCM is offering a virtual silent auction fundraiser.
Supporters will have the opportunity to bid on experiences such as dining out, music lessons, theatre tickets, a bourbon tasting, a chocolate tasting, and more!
The auction will go live at 9:00 am on Tuesday, December 2, and will close at 9:00 pm that evening.
Please pay winning bids by noon on Wednesday, December 3.
Winners may pick up their items at the WFCM office, 4511 Daly Dr., Suite J, Chantilly, VA 20151, from 4:30 – 6:30pm on Thursday, December 4th (or arrange a different time for pick up).
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Help WFCM Remain a Top-Rated Nonprofit | |
If you love our work, please share the reasons why with the community! Stories about us from supporters and volunteers will help us make an even bigger impact in our community. GreatNonprofits – the #1 source of nonprofit stories and feedback – is honoring highly regarded nonprofits with their 2025 Top-Rated List.
Please help us raise visibility for our work by posting a brief story about your experience with WFCM. All content will be visible to potential donors and volunteers.
It’s easy and takes just a few minutes!
| | Thank you for your support! | | | | |
