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Executive Director's Update
During the month of May, we had many wonderful opportunities to raise awareness and funds for the families we serve!
On Friday May 2nd, the George Mason University Honors College Connect teams unveiled their projects to support local nonprofits, including WFCM. A talented team of students worked on a plan for WFCM to recruit and communicate with young adult volunteers. We appreciate their time and dedication in coming up with actionable ideas that we will work on implementing next fiscal year.
More than 550 community members participated in the Feed Fairfax 5k on Saturday May 3rd raising $17,000 for WFCM's Free Food Fridge program that provides fresh weekend breakfast and lunch groceries for 700 students at 12 local Fairfax County Public Schools each week throughout the school year. Our WFCM Team included several staff and family members this year.
On May 12th, we held our 7th Annual Spring into Action Golf Tournament during which 72 golfers, a team of volunteers, and staff enjoyed a day of fellowship while raising awareness of the needs in our community and funds for our operations to meet those needs. I am thankful to our sponsors and golfers, as well as those who came to enjoy the barbeque lunch, for their participation in this annual fundraiser. Save the date for our 8th Annual Golf Tournament to be held on May 11, 2026!
These fundraisers and partnerships are key to meeting the needs in western Fairfax County that remain elevated. And, in this final month of our fiscal year 2025, I hope you will join me in making a donation during our spring appeal so that we can start our new fiscal year strong on July 1st. Your donations make a difference. You enable us to serve families in two market locations and with home delivery services.
Our client Michelle doesn’t have a car and must pay for transportation to get to her part-time job. With our online ordering platform (SmartChoice™) and partnership with Capital Area Food Bank and DoorDash®, she is able to select the food she needs and have it delivered to her home. She said, “The WFCM food program has been such a wonderful support to me during a difficult time in my life. I was facing transportation challenges that WFCM’s delivery services solved. The food selection platform allows me to get food I enjoy, that is fresh, and healthy.”
Wendy, a client who lives in Centreville, has been fighting cancer. She recently told us, “I don’t know what me and my grandson would do without WFCM’s help with food…thanks to you we don’t go to bed hungry anymore. Thank you.”
This is our mission - to reduce food insecurity and housing instability while preventing hunger and homelessness for families struggling in our community – and to do so with compassion. Thank you for your partnership in this work!
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 May, we served 227 families in our Centreville Free Food Market. We served 28 new families out of the total 688 families served at our two market locations. This is the first time in several months that we experienced a decrease in client food market appointments compared to last year and prior months. We had a no-show rate of 5%, 40 client families, who were scheduled to select groceries but did not come to their market appointments. There are many reasons this occurs - client is able to pick up a shift at work and is working more regularly in general, client is sick or in the hospital, client no longer needs food assistance, changes in school schedule impacting client's ability to come (early dismissal for example), and inclement (stormy) weather are some of the reasons. Whenever we experience no-shows, we follow up with the families to understand the situation and reschedule if they want to make a new appointment. We will continue to keep an eye on any changes or challenges.
As a reminder, we are now providing 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!
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Most needed items in the Free Food Markets this month:
- Canned Meat (chicken, salmon, sardines, Vienna sausages)
- Canned Vegetables (carrots, beets, potatoes, mixed vegetables)
- Pancake Mix
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Syrup
- Cereal (low sugar preferred)
- Flavored Rice and Pasta (Rice A Roni, Knorr pasta sides)
- Canned Fruit (peaches, pears, pineapples)
- Canned Beans (black and red)
- Macaroni & Cheese
- Cake Mix or Brownie Mix
- Family Sized Snacks (crackers, pretzels, nuts, etc.)
- Hot Beverages (ground coffee, tea bags, etc.)
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Toiletries: body wash, toothpaste, hair shampoo, 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.
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Community Connections
with Diane Beatley
Sr. Manager, Community Engagement
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Thank you to United Bank for renewing their annual sponsorship for a sixth consecutive year!
United Bank is a community bank offering excellence in service. They offer local decision-making and personalized service their customers have come to expect since 1839, with the insights, technologies, products, and services of a large bank, and a deep commitment to the communities in which they operate.
We appreciate United Bank for being a Caring Connection!
| | 5th Annual Feed Fairfax 5K | | |
The 5th Annual Feed Fairfax 5k took place on Saturday, May 3rd, with more than 550 participants, including WFCM's team of staff and family members. We are thankful to Expectation Church, Freedom Bank of Virginia, Superior Paving Corp., and all the sponsors and runners/walkers who raised $49,000 to support weekend meal programs for local students provided by WFCM and Food For Others.
WFCM will receive a generous donation of $17,000 for our Free Food Fridge program that provides weekend breakfast and lunch meals for 700 students at 12 Fairfax County Public Schools in Chantilly, Centreville, and Westfield. This donation will fund more than 11,000 weekend meals - a full month of weekend meals for the 700 students we serve!
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WFCM's 7th Annual
Spring into Action Golf Tournament
| | WFCM's 2nd Annual Walk to End Hunger | | | | |
Save the date for this year's Walk & Fellowship Breakfast on Saturday, October 18, 2025, during Centreville Day.
WFCM is combining the fellowship opportunity of a shared meal with the Second Annual Walk to End Hunger. Instead of a fundraising dinner, WFCM will offer a Fellowship Breakfast, held at Centreville United Methodist Church, before the Walk to End Hunger, a component of the Centreville Day parade.
Supporters can register for the breakfast, the walk, or both! A virtual silent auction will be available to registered participants. This is a family-friendly event.
Registration will open in July.
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Wegmans Chantilly Fill the Bus
When you shop at Wegmans Chantilly June 4th-18th, you can donate at the register to help stock our shelves. Please consider making a donation the next time you shop for groceries. Thank you!
| | Please make your Spring Appeal donation by June 30th | | |
For 38 years, WFCM has been helping families and individuals by providing critical support when people are most in need. WFCM provides direct services for food and financial assistance while also providing resources and programs to help families move toward long-term financial stability and food security.
You enable us to offer a variety of solutions to connect families with the resources they need, including an online ordering platform for groceries and home delivery.
We will continue to be good stewards of the funds you provide to offer critical services to our clients with compassion.
You enable us to meet the needs with innovative and responsive solutions!
Your gift makes a difference for families in our community.
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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 WFCM may be mailed to P.O. Box 220802, Chantilly, VA 20153.
Together, we can achieve our goal of $100,000 to serve families!
| | Thank you for your support! | | | | |
