July 2025

WFCM News For You

Executive Director's Update

We concluded our fiscal year on June 30th. With support and partnership from the community, WFCM's staff and volunteers were able to serve 1,364 unique families

(4,226 individuals) by providing groceries and financial assistance for safe housing

(rent and utilities). In addition, our partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank allowed us to provide 208,925 diapers serving on average 348 babies each month. Funding from a number of grantors, businesses, organizations, and congregations ensured we could provide fresh weekend meals for 700 students at Fairfax County Public Schools throughout the 2024-2025 school-year that recently ended. Thank you to all of our partners!

As we enter this new fiscal year, we remain focused on working with families to maintain safe housing (critical utilities of water and power connected during the heat of the summer) and to increasing food security through our client-choice Free Food Markets. We are thankful for a recent donation from Korean Central Presbyterian Church to help with market operations and for an in-kind donation of $35,000 in food and toiletries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Centreville Stake) to stock our shelves with 30,000 lbs. of most needed items!

We recently surveyed the 700 families who use our markets each month about the services we provide and how we provide these services to ensure we are fulfilling our mission. Eighteen percent (18%) or 124 families responded with these views:

I have the ability to choose my appointment day and time. 98% agree
I have the ability to choose my groceries. 98% agree
I feel in control of my choices of food and shopping at WFCM. 95% agree
The amount of food I receive meets my household's needs for a two-week period of groceries. 52% always, 38% Sometimes = 90% agree

Comments from clients included:

I am very grateful for the help that you provide. Because, if you didn't help, I would not be able to have enough food, or be able to make ends meet. Thank you. Luke 3:11 "And he answered them, "Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise."

Many people who come to the market don't want the help but we need it. The market not only lessens food waste but it also provides much needed daily staples...and other foods that have become unaffordable to most on a budget.

Our client Heather works hard to support her family of six and her husband, a veteran who struggles with stable employment due to a disability, selects food in our markets each month. Heather shared, "Western Fairfax Christian Ministries' (WFCM) client choice food pantry allows people to select foods that best fit their family's needs. The staff are warm, friendly, and professional. They work with families to make sure that the pantry offers foods that they can eat, including access to dairy, eggs, meat, and fresh produce. Having a client-choice pantry allows each family the autonomy and dignity that is not often found when accessing assistance. Additionally, they offer nutrition classes, connection to other resources, and holiday meal assistance. This service has been a blessing to my own family. I can shop for exactly what my family needs. WFCM works hard to remove barriers that exist for all clients dealing with food insecurity. I have taken nutrition classes that have helped me learn healthier recipes to make for my family. We can connect to resources like Cake4Kids, one of their many partners that provides free birthday and graduation cakes to all of our kids. This, in turn, has lifted a huge burden off of us. Their flexible hours and equitable practices remove many barriers often experienced when accessing any type of assistance."

Thank you for your partnership as we continue to provide critical resources and connections for families in our community.

God bless,

Harmonie Taddeo, Executive Director

Congratulations to the Fiscal Year 2025 Pathways to Success Graduates!

Congratulations, Tyisha, on achieving these goals:

Attending all 10 monthly individual budget meetings and all 10 monthly group Financial Peace classes
Building emergency savings so that when a car repair was needed, Tyisha was able to pay for it using the funds she had saved
Reducing credit card debt

Tyisha shared, "I have learned new ways to save and budget."

Congratulations, Rachelle, on achieving these goals:

Attending all 10 monthly individual budget meetings and all 10 monthly group Financial Peace classes
Building emergency savings to almost the $1,000 goal
Working on your monthly budget as a family with monthly budget meetings

Rachelle shared, "No amount is too small, even if you're saving a couple dollars it adds up and retrains your way of savings and spending."

Congratulations, Mahbooba, on achieving these goals:

Attending all 10 monthly individual budget meetings and all 10 monthly group Financial Peace classes
Building emergency savings and using them when crises arose
Paying loans on time consistently to avoid fees

Mahbooba shared, "In this class I learned how to save money. In order to progress in our lives, we must set up a plan to spend our money in the right way and with a lot of thought, so that we don't run into problems in life. Thank you."

Congratulations, Elena, on achieving these goals:

Attending all 10 monthly individual budget meetings and all 10 monthly group Financial Peace classes
Building emergency savings to almost the $1,000 goal
Paying loans on time consistently to avoid fees

Elena shared, "I liked the class. I learned how to prioritize and know my needs, spending habits, and how to set short and long term goals."

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

Our Fiscal Year ended on June 30th. Below are charts showing our service levels in June 2025, compared to June 2024, and our service levels for the entire Fiscal Year 2025 (July 2024 - June 2025). In our next newsletter, we will provide more details about services in FY 2025 such as the number of new families served, percent of families with employed adults, and the number of families who were able to achieve self-sufficiency.

Thank you to all the in-kind food donors, funders of the Free Food Fridge program, funders of grants for rent and utility payments for families, and to our wonderful volunteers. You make this level of service possible!

*Average weight of a bag is 21 lbs.

**Based on $3.99 per meal in FY25 with value of 1 lb. of food = $1.97

Most needed items in the Free Food Markets this month:

Canned Meat (chicken, salmon, sardines, Vienna sausages)
Canned Vegetables (beets, potatoes, mixed vegetables)
Pancake Mix
Boxed Pasta (macaroni, ziti, shells, etc.)
Mashed Potatoes (pouch or box)
Flavored Rice and Pasta (Rice A Roni, Knorr pasta sides)
Canned Fruit (peaches, applesauce, pineapples)
Kidney Beans
Macaroni & Cheese
Cake Mix or Brownie Mix
Family Sized Snacks (crackers, pretzels, nuts, etc.)
Shelf Stable Juice (apple, cranberry, grape, etc.) (no glass bottles)
Hot Beverages (ground coffee, tea bags, etc.)

Toiletries: body wash, lotion, deodorant, mouthwash, hair conditioner, feminine hygiene products (pads), 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.

Community Connections

with Diane Beatley

Sr. Manager, Community Engagement

Partner Spotlight: Carahsoft

Thank you to Carahsoft for renewing their annual sponsorship of WFCM.

Carahsoft Technology Corp. is The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supporting Federal, State, and Local Government agencies,

and Education and Healthcare markets.

We appreciate Carahsoft for being a Caring Connection!

Fellowship Breakfast & 2nd Annual Walk to End Hunger

Registration Now Open

Join this family-friendly event for all ages

on Saturday, October 18th!

Second Annual Walk to End Hunger.

This year, instead of a Fellowship Dinner,

WFCM will offer a Fellowship Breakfast,

held at Centreville United Methodist Church (CUMC),

followed by the Second Annual Walk to End Hunger

on the morning of Saturday, October 18

during the Centreville Day Parade.

The Fellowship Breakfast will include a hearty meal (pancakes, eggs, breakfast meat and crispy potatoes) as well as kid-friendly activities.

The Walk is approximately one mile on paved streets.

We will raise awareness and funds

during this fun parade walk (not timed).

A shuttle service will be provided between CUMC

and the nearby start of Centreville Day Parade.

Registered participants will also be invited to participate in a Virtual Silent Auction October 6 – 9.

Thanks to our generous sponsors, all registration fees will support WFCM’s Free Food Markets

in Chantilly and Centreville.

Thank you to the Friends of Historic Centreville for partnering with WFCM and organizing Centreville Day.

Thank You for Your Spring Appeal Donations

We appreciate the generosity of everyone who donated to support WFCM in response to our Spring Fundraising Appeal. Ninety plus donors have contributed $97,000 towards our $100,000 goal.

With these critical operating funds, WFCM will continue to connect thousands of individuals each month with the essential resources of food and financial assistance to maintain safe housing and strengthen food security.

Together, we are making a difference in our community!

Donate Now

Thank you for your support!