Wrapping Up National Volunteer Week in Service

150 volunteers! That’s approximately how many local community members rolled up their sleeves at Luther Jackson Middle School on April 27th to collect and sort over 4,800 pounds of food and toiletries bound for Jackson MS, Falls Church HS, Justice HS, Annandale HS, and Cedar Lane School. These are five of 47 Food For Neighbors schools that received nearly 26,000 pounds of donations. It was the perfect way to highlight the power of volunteerism as National Volunteer Week came to a close.

Food For Neighbors helps schools establish in-house pantries and mobilizes communities surrounding the schools to fill them with food and toiletries donated through the nonprofit's popular Red Bag Program. This makes food readily accessible for students to get a boost of energy during the school day and to take home to enjoy over weekends and holidays. For the most vulnerable students, Food For Neighbors also provides grocery store gift cards, so students and their families may shop for food that they most need, like fresh fruits and vegetables.

In the Falls Church operational area, 33 volunteer drivers and their helpers collected over 4,800 pounds of food and toiletries from 345 generous households. The drivers then delivered the donations to Luther Jackson Middle School, where approximately 90 volunteers sorted and transported them to nearby schools. Among the many volunteers were representatives from the Kiwanis Club of Tysons, Social4Good, the Junior Volunteer League, and the Hunter Mill Chapter of the Young Men’s Service League.

"The experience was amazing–so well organized, and the amount of donations was truly impressive,” shared Kelly DeSenti, who helped to coordinate participation by her Social4Good colleagues. “The impact of teen food insecurity is far reaching and to contribute in this way was greatly appreciated."

School staff, who connect Food For Neighbors resources with teens in need, have shared heartfelt stories about the gratitude and relief that students and their families feel when they receive the supplemental food support. Staff surveys also reflect that the majority of students experience multiple, positive impacts, including more regular school attendance and better focus. This helps students reach their full potential, which lifts them and the community up as a whole.

Karen Joseph, Founder and Executive Director, greatly appreciates the many community members that make Food For Neighbors’ mission possible. She shared, “As National Volunteer Week comes to a close, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you who has dedicated your time and energy to our mission at Food For Neighbors. Your commitment lights the way toward a brighter future, free from childhood hunger. Your actions inspire hope and warmth within our community. We are deeply grateful for your efforts and truly could not do this without you. Thank you for being such an integral part of our journey and for your continued support.”

To learn more about Food For Neighbors and join more than 3,000 Red Bag donors and over 3,400 volunteers in making a difference, scan the QR code or visit https://www.foodforneighbors.org/get-involved/.