Executive Director's Update

I am happy to share that we were awarded Emergency Food and Emergency Housing grants from Fairfax County Government. These grants will provide $10,000 per month for us to purchase food and $20,000 per month for direct rent/utility assistance for a two-year period, as well as administrative funds to operate these programs. These funds and the county partnership are a key part of ensuring we can meet the needs of community members in western Fairfax County. While we have not received the funds yet, we look forward to this multi-year partnership.

One of the requirements of the Emergency Food grant is to ask community members selecting food in our markets, receiving home delivery, or picking up immediate pre-bagged food if the food offered is healthy, if it meets their needs (including cultural/religious), and if by receiving food at WFCM, they are ablet to use income to meet other needs (such as towards rent or utility bills) while reducing food insecurity. Wanting to keep this process as easy for community members as possible while respecting their dignity and voice, we have started asking individuals selecting food if they agree with these statements (in English, Spanish, Korean, or otherwise translated as needed).

• At WFCM I can get healthy food.
• At WFCM I can get food that meets my needs (including cultural or religious special needs).
• Getting food at WFCM helps me have food I need and use income for other needs.

During our first week of surveying, 97% of community members answered yes to all three questions. Some shared stories. One man said that the need to come to WFCM for food began earlier this year when he and his wife found out she was pregnant with twins. They were expecting and prepared for one child, but carrying two meant that she had to stop working earlier than expected when she was placed on bedrest by her doctor. The cost of two babies, and care for two babies, has kept his wife home while he is working to support the three of them. He said he is proud to do this and thankful for the help that WFCM provides. By getting food and diapers at WFCM, he is able to pay other bills.

This is the difference that WFCM is making for families in our community. Your monetary and food donations enabled us to turn each $1 the county allocated for the Emergency Food grant into $13 during the month of September. Your partnership is the reason that families are able to receive hundreds of dollars worth of food each month (including toiletries and diapers) that last up to two weeks.

Your support is critical and impactful for thousands of community members!

God bless,

Harmonie Taddeo, Executive Director