Next Fairfax Stuff The Bus Food Drives Planned In October

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — After the Sept. 11 Stuff the Bus food drives across Fairfax County, the next event will be held Saturday, Oct. 9.

Since 2011, Stuff the Bus food drives have been held as a way to replenish local food pantries during times when donations drop off. The events are typically held after the summer and winter holidays. A partnership between Fairfax County and local nonprofits, Stuff the Bus has collected over 220 tons of food.

Food pantries have seen increased demand for assistance since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. According to Feeding America, Fairfax County has a projected food insecurity rate of 7.4 percent in 2021, compared to a rate of 5.8 percent in 2019. Impacts in the greater DC region are highlighted in the Capital Area Food Bank's 2021 Hunger Report.

Fastran buses will be on site for donation drop-offs at 19 locations across Fairfax County from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 9. The food pantry benefiting from the donations will vary by location. Another location for nonperishable food donations will be South Lakes High School PTSA Food Pantry at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1133 Reston Avenue, Herndon, VA.

Residents can stop by any Stuff the Bus location on Oct. 9 or make a monetary donation on Volunteer Fairfax's Stuff the Bus Donation Page. Monetary donations can help nonprofits purchase more food in bulk or with special discounts from retailers, as well as provide culturally appropriate foods and fresh foods, and keep food pantries stocked when donations drop.

Food pantries try to ensure people visiting distribution sites receive food that fits their needs. A majority of people visiting food distribution locations in Fairfax County report that the food meets their nutritional and dietary needs and is culturally appropriate.

The most requested items for Stuff the Bus are:

• Cooking oil
• Corn Flour Maseca
• Bag (dry) beans, peas or lentils (16 oz.)
• Rice - brown or white (5 lbs. or smaller)
• Canned fruit in light syrup or juice (20 oz. or smaller)
• Healthy hot and cold cereal (42 oz. or smaller)
• Healthy snacks (e.g. raisins, granola bars)
• Canned tuna, salmon or chicken (15 oz. or smaller)
• Canned tomatoes - low sodium, no salt added (29 oz. or smaller)
• Soup - lower sodium (19 oz. or smaller)
• Canned pasta (16 oz. or smaller)
• Macaroni and cheese
• Peanut butter (40 oz. or smaller)
• Fruit jam (32 oz. or smaller)
• Instant potatoes (16 oz. or smaller)
• Pancake mix (32 oz. or smaller) and syrup
• Canned vegetables - low sodium, no salt added (29 oz. or smaller)
• Canned beans or peas (29 oz. or smaller)

The following Stuff the Bus locations will be open for donations from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 9:

• Braddock District Supervisor's Office, 9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke, VA 22015, benefits ECHO
• Oaks Community Center, 5708 Oak Leather Drive, Burke, VA 22015, benefits ECHO
• Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA 22066, benefits LINK
• McLean Government Center, 1437 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA 22101, benefits LINK
• Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035, benefits Food for Others
• Hunter Mill District Supervisor's Office, 1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston, VA 20190, benefits Herndon Reston FISH and SHARE
• Patrick Henry Library, 101 Maple Ave. East, Vienna, VA 22180, benefits Herndon Reston FISH and SHARE
• Franconia Fire Station, 6300 Beulah Street, Alexandria, VA, benefits Koinonia and United Community
• Gerry Hyland Government Center, 8350 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, VA 22309, benefits Koinonia and United Community
• George Mason Regional Library, 7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003, benefits ACCA
• Belvedere Elementary School, 6540 Columbia Pike Falls Church, VA 22041, benefits ACCA
• Laurel Hill Elementary School, 8390 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton, VA 22079, benefits LCAC and United Community
• Mount Vernon Fire Station, 2601 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria, VA 22306, benefits LCAC and United Community
• The PARC at Tysons (People, Art, Recreation, Community), 8508 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182, benefits Food for Others
• Providence District Supervisor’s Office, 3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031, benefits Food for Others
• West Springfield Governmental Center, 6140 Rolling Road, Springfield, VA 22152, benefits Food for Others and Koinonia
• Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke, VA 22015, benefits Food for Others and Koinonia
• Sully Government Center, 4900 Stonecroft Boulevard, Chantilly, VA 20151, benefits Western Fairfax Christian Ministries
• Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly, VA 20151, benefits Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2021, about 42 million Americans may not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.