Kicking Off 2024 with New Partners and A Record Food Collection

On Saturday, January 13th, over 800 Northern Virginia residents braved the cold to collect, sort, and deliver a record-breaking 25,000+ pounds of food and toiletries to 45 schools partnering with Food For Neighbors to tackle teen food insecurity. Spirits were high as car after car arrived with donations from 1,956 households and food drives from a number of organizations. Such generosity and community spirit has enabled Food For Neighbors to expand its programming every year, with January’s Red Bag food and toiletry collection including three new partnering schools—Washington-Liberty High School in Arlington, Cedar Lane School in Vienna, and Riverside High School in Leesburg.

“We’re thrilled to add these three new school partners to our Food For Neighbors family,” shared Anne O’Flaherty, Food For Neighbors’ Director of Operations. “We thank our Red Bag donors and volunteers for making it possible to provide supplemental nutrition to more students in need.”

Also rallying to address teen food insecurity are Food For Neighbors’ 45 partnering schools. There, school staff identify students in need of help and connect them with supplemental food, toiletries, and/or grocery store gift cards.

Family Liaison Samantha Upson-Smith noted, “Riverside High School’s new partnership with Food For Neighbors has been an incredible hit. Students are excited and relieved to be able to take home food for the weekends and have snacks during the school day.”

Food For Neighbors greatly values its donors, volunteers, and partners. With their help, the nonprofit will be rolling out services to even more Northern Virginia schools as the spring approaches. To learn how you can make a difference in the lives of nearby students, visit the Food For Neighbors website or send an email to getinvolved@foodforneighbors.org.