|
Executive Director's Update
During the month of June, use of our markets increased as the school year ended impacting both students' access to food and income earned by 10-month employees working for the school system. As needs for housing financial assistance remain high, I am grateful that Fairfax County's Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program re-started and we were able to provide more than $160,000 in eviction prevention assistance based on referrals received from the county.
With a new process for Fairfax County's Emergency Food and Emergency Housing grants for Fiscal Year 2027, that begins today July 1st, grant decisions have been delayed until July 15th at the earliest. I am thankful for a generous donation from Centra for $50,000 that ensures we can continue to provide assistance with payments for gas, water, and electric bills without interruption. I am also thankful to several congregation partners who have provided donations for direct housing assistance to help ensure we can continue providing rent assistance (not limited to the ERA eviction prevention referrals) during the month of July while we await information regarding the county grant. As our Sully District Supervisor, Kathy Smith stated, "In today’s world, given the circumstances that we each deal with, it becomes all the more apparent that we can’t do it alone. That’s why partnership is so important. Corporate giving plays a vital role in strengthening the communities where businesses operate. When companies invest time, resources, and funding into local initiatives, they help foster economic growth, and build trust with the people they serve. Centra's commitment to WFCM not only enhances community well‑being but also creates a positive, values‑driven culture within Centra’s organization. The investments into our community contribute to a more resilient and connected region for everyone.”
With the partnership of many families, congregations, businesses, organizations, and Fairfax County Government, WFCM provided 1.37 million pounds of groceries and $467,000 in rent/utility assistance to 1,483 unique families* (4,368 people) in Fiscal Year 2026, in addition to providing weekend meals for 674 students and supplemental food for community members via three community Free Food Fridges. Thank you for your support throughout last fiscal year including your generous spring appeal donations that exceeded our goal and help us begin this new fiscal year prepared to meet the needs in our community.
Your partnership is critical and impactful for thousands of community members!
God bless,
Harmonie Taddeo, Executive Director
*These are unduplicated numbers meaning that while many of these families received services more than once during the fiscal year the numbers we are sharing reflect 1,483 different families who accessed support through WFCM.
| | |
Congratulations to the FY 2026 Pathways to Success Graduates!
| | | | |
Congratulations to Reina, Jocelyn, Johanna, and Angel on achieving these goals:
- Attending all 10 monthly individual budget meetings and all 10 group Financial Peace classes
- Increasing income through additional employment
- Building emergency savings and starting 3-6-month income reserve accounts
- Paying off debts
Reina shared, "I learned a lot. I came in with a lot of debt, and I have learned so much. I am happy to have been part of this program."
Joycelyn shared, "You taught me the importance of saving. That help me save for the summer, and now I am financially prepared for the months when I do not work during the summer."
Johanna shared, "This course was very helpful in learning how to manage money. I am very grateful for the classes."
Angel shared, "I enjoyed the classes because I learned how to grow both personally and professionally. I am grateful to everyone for all the support they have given me."
| | |
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 2026 and our service levels for the entire Fiscal Year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026).
In June, we provided client choice food selection for 715 unduplicated families (212 of those families were served at our Centreville Free Food Market). We served 45 new families. We are grateful for our partnership with DoorDash that enabled us to provide deliveries of groceries to 51 households during the month. The ERA program allowed us to connect 28 families with $166,000 in rent assistance to prevent eviction and maintain safe housing.
| | |
Average weight of a bag is 21 lbs.
Food value 1 lb. of food FY 2026 = $1.90
| | In Fiscal Year 2026, we provided groceries and or financial assistance to 1,483 unique families (4,368 people). 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! | | |
Most needed items in the Free Food Markets this month:
- Sugar (1 lb. or 2 lb. bag)
- Oil (vegetable, canola, olive)
- Cereal (low sugar preferred)
- Oatmeal (Quaker Oats)
- Pancake Mix
- Shelf Stable Juice (apple, cranberry, grape)
- Canned Tomatoes (crushed, whole, paste)
- Canned Fruit (pineapple, mandarin oranges)
- Mashed Potatoes
- Canned Fish (tuna, salmon)
- Pasta Sauce (no glass jars)
Toiletries and Household Items:
- Toilet Paper
- Baby Wipes
- Body Wash
- Bar Soap
- Toothpaste
- Body Lotion
- Shaving Cream (full size) and Disposable Razors
- Pull-ups size 4T/5
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
| | | |
WFCM is excited to announce a new business partnership with Centra. Centra began this partnership by providing a $15,000 donation for WFCM's operations for calendar year 2026.
Additionally, understanding the needs related to families maintaining their gas, water, and electricity services
(especially air conditioning) this summer,
Centra donated $50,000 for utility assistance to ensure WFCM can continue to provide this assistance without interruption
as we enter our new fiscal year on July 1st.
Centra Managing Partner, David Wagner, shared, "We are committed to supporting the local communities where we work, live and develop, and to responding to legitimate concerns of our neighbors. We are excited to launch this utility fund partnership with Western Fairfax Christian Ministries to provide immediate support to local families who need help maintaining utilities. We hope other data center owners, developers and vendors will join us in supporting this fund and help create a model that can be replicated across Virginia and the country."
Thank you, Centra!
| | | 3rd Annual Walk to End Hunger - Registration Now Open! | | |
Make plans now to join WFCM's Fellowship Breakfast and
Third Annual Walk to End Hunger as part of the Centreville Day Parade on
Saturday, October 17, 2026.
We'll begin the day with a Fellowship Breakfast at Centreville United Methodist Church (CUMC). This hearty meal will include pancakes, eggs, crispy potatoes, breakfast meat, and family-friendly activities.
The Third Annual Walk to End Hunger is a one-mile family-friendly walk at the end of the Centreville Day Parade to raise awareness about food insecurity in our communities and raise funds for WFCM's Free Food Markets in Chantilly and Centreville.
New this year, WFCM will charter its own shuttle buses between the breakfast at CUMC and Centreville Day in historic Centreville. WFCM supporters may register for breakfast only, the walk only, or both! People concerned about walking the full mile in the parade may take the WFCM shuttle and watch the parade, with minimal walking to and from the shuttle drop-off location. We hope you'll join us for the breakfast and walk!
For more information and to register, please visit wfcmva.org/walk
| | With Sincere Appreciation | | | | |
Thank you to everyone who donated during WFCM's Spring Fundraising Appeal. Thanks to your generous support, we have exceeded our $100,000 goal.
Your generous spring appeal donations help ensure we can continue to serve thousands of our neighbors as our new fiscal year begins.
Your partnership is critical and impactful.
Thank you!
| | Thank you for your support! | | | | |
