November 2025

WFCM News For You

Executive Director's Update

In October, we held our 2nd Annual Walk to End Hunger and Stone Middle School held their Annual Walk to End Hunger as well. Yesterday, I participated in the Springfield/Burke CROP Walk (which benefits WFCM and ECHO locally, as well as CWS globally). And yet, with the government shutdown entering a second month and SNAP benefits impacted, the risk of food insecure families becoming hungry is a disconcerting reality.

In Virginia, individuals and families who receive SNAP benefits will receive Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) which will be provided weekly, as opposed to monthly. The example provided in Governor Youngkin's press release is "if a household normally receives $200 for a monthly benefit, a $50 benefit will be issued on a weekly basis." We are grateful for the VENA effort, though we know that a family who received $200 on October 4th and receives $50 on November 4th will face challenges in purchasing groceries and that this will also impact grocery stores.

Due to the generosity of our donors, we are purchasing critical staples to stock our shelves and preparing pre-bagged emergency food bags so that we are able to meet the growing needs in our community. This includes purchasing more than a dozen items such as spaghetti, tuna, cereal, apples, and eggs.

If you are looking for ways to get involved, please consider:

Donating food (see our Most Needed Food List below) during donation hours which include this Saturday November 8th 9-11am (note that the Sully District Scouting for Food drive is also this Saturday and you may be able to leave food at your front door on the 8th for pick up by the Scouts if they left a note/bag for you on Saturday Nov 1st)
Donating funds for food and or operations (online at wfcmva.org/donate or by mailed check)
Share information about WFCM with neighbors who may need help or want to help

Your partnership is critical and impactful. After we delivered groceries last month to Ms. P, a senior citizen renting an apartment in Centreville, she sent her WFCM case worker this note, "Sometimes I only eat peanut butter because I can’t afford food. I’m just floored by the amount of food that was delivered to me today. You have no idea what it means to me. I see there are still good people in this world. Thanks for your help.”

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

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

In October, we continued to see the needs in our community rise as we provided client choice food selection for 733 unduplicated families; including those ordering groceries online for delivery (52 families) and those selecting food in the Free Food Markets in Chantilly (468 families) and Centreville (213 families). Families generally come to get groceries every 30 days (with availability on specific days/times based on their work schedules), so some families came twice in October (such as Oct 1 and 29). This is the reason the number of appointments provided (779) is higher than the number of unduplicated families served.

To better serve clients, on Monday September 29th, we began offering new appointment hours at our Centreville Free Food Market. Our new schedule for weekly appointments includes evening appointments Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in Centreville. Appointments in Chantilly continue to include Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings. The response has been positive and we continue to fill these evening appointments.

*Average weight of a bag is 21 lbs.

**Food value 1 lb. of food FY 2026 = $1.90

Most needed items in the Free Food Markets this month:

Canned Meat (chicken, salmon, sardines, Vienna sausages)
Boxed Pasta (macaroni, ziti, shells, etc.)
Rice (white or brown)
Peanut Butter
Flour (white or Maseca)
Sugar (1lb. or 2lb. bag)
Oil (vegetable, canola, olive)
Chicken/Beef/Bone Broth
Canned Fruit (peaches, pears, pineapples)
Boxed Cereal (low sugar preferred)
Similac (blue label)
Shelf Stable Juice (apple, cranberry, grape, etc.) (no glass bottles)
Shelf stable almond milk (family size)

Toiletries: toothpaste, body wash, lotion, deodorant, mouthwash, hair shampoo and conditioner, feminine hygiene products (pads), baby wipes, pull ups size 4t-5t (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: Cox Communications

Thank you to our friends at Cox Communications (Cox Charities) for a grant to help fund our Free Food Fridge program, which provides weekend meals for more than 700 students at 12 Fairfax County Public Schools.

On October 28th, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recognized Cox Charities and the seven 2025 grant recipients. Cox Charities grants are funded by Cox Communications employees and grant recipients are determined by a vote of employees.

Checkout Hunger at Wegmans Chantilly

Now through November 29, when you shop at Wegmans (Chantilly, VA), you can participate in "Checkout Hunger."

Your donations at checkout will benefit WFCM and the families we serve.

Thank you for being #CaringConnections!

Fall Fellowship Breakfast & Walk to End Hunger Recap

Thank you to all of our friends, supporters, and sponsors who participated in WFCM's Fellowship Breakfast at Centreville United Methodist Church. We enjoyed breakfast from IHOP and Texas Donuts for dessert along with face painting for the young and young-at-heart and sign-making in preparation for the Walk to End Hunger.

A large crowd of nearly 90 WFCM supporters then Walked to End Hunger as part of the Centreville Day parade. Together, these events helped to raise awareness about food insecurity and fund solutions with donations and sponsorships funding WFCM’s two Free Food Markets that are serving an average of 706 families each month this fiscal year.

Thank you to the presenting event sponsor, Keener Insurance Agency, Inc., and all the generous sponsors who made this event possible!

Your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) and WFCM

If you’re 73 or older and required to take a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your IRA, you can use it to make a lasting impact — completely tax-free.

By making a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA to WFCM, you can:

✅ Donate directly without increasing your taxable income

✅ Avoid paying taxes on the distribution — letting your full gift help more neighbors

✅ Satisfy your RMD requirement while supporting families right here in western Fairfax County.

Instead of withdrawing your RMD, paying taxes, and donating what’s left, a direct contribution ensures your entire gift helps people experiencing food insecurity and financial instability.

How to do it: Contact your IRA custodian and request a direct transfer to:

WFCM

P.O. Box 220802

Chantilly, VA 20153

Tax ID: 54-1606629

You can also give online at wfcmva.org/donate.

Thank you for considering this powerful, tax-smart way to improve lives in our community.

WFCM's work takes many caring connections who volunteer, donate funds, donate food, and bridge the gap for our neighbors. Your support is key to keeping families safely housed with food in their refrigerators and cupboards on their journey to self-sufficiency. The WFCM board of directors and staff members are truly grateful for all our volunteers, partners, donors, and supporters, especially during these challenging times.

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Thank you for your support!