The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food insecurity as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. According to estimates from the USDA, 41 million Americans were food insecure in 2016. Here, in Loudoun County, almost five percent of our population (that is, over 14,000 people) are food insecure. Although we live in one of the richest counties of America, there are individuals, seniors, moms and dads who struggle to pay bills while getting enough to eat. Read more in the January Newsletter
Category Archives: Newsletters
December 2017: “When you are having hard times, you come to the Pantry for help. When you are in a better place, you help someone else.”
A local school recently held a food drive and invited Pantry President, Charlene Jones, to speak to the children. While there, Ms. Jones discovered that one of the teachers was a former Pantry guest. The teacher shared that money is still tight, but her family is making it now without help. This teacher had organized the food drive, donated food herself, and expressed that she wants to start volunteering. Read more about the many examples of giving that encapsulates our mission of Neighbors Feeding Neighbors in the December Newsletter.
November 2017: Open House
Join us on Sunday, December 10, 2017 from 3:00 – 5:00 PM for an open house at the Pantry. We are excited to show you our newly remodeled kitchen and how your support has helped us to better serve our neighbors in need. Learn more in this month’s Newsletter.October 2017: Support local students in need with food for the weekend
A reality in our area is that some families rely on school programs for their children to receive a nutritious meal during the week. But, what happens when they are home on the weekend and do not have that access? Read more about the Friday Food Pack Program in this month’s newsletter.
September 2017: Partnering with local schools
If you’ve ever volunteered at your child’s school, you’ve surely seen the amount of food that is wasted during lunchtime. So much of what is purchased or sent with school children for lunch is thrown away unopened or uneaten. What if there was a way to save that valuable food for our neighbors in need? Read more about the Food Recovery Program in this month’s newsletter.
August 2017: Pantry Sees Important Facility Improvements with Kitchen Renovation & New Equipment
We are so excited to share that our kitchen renovation is almost complete (thanks to generous grants from Blue Ridge Area Food Bank and 100 Women Strong and financial donations from community members). Check out the before and after photos below.
July 2017: Sharing the bounty: Local garden donations provide fresh, healthy food to our neighbors in need
It is important at the Pantry for us to help our guests take advantage of fresh produce in the summer months, and we are working to build key relationships with local farms to provide critically needed fresh food to our guests. Local farms and residents, including Willowsford Farm and families who garden at the Ticonderoga Farms community garden, have been making valuable contributions to the Pantry by sharing their excess harvest, which helps us to provide fresh, healthy food to nourish our hungry neighbors who desperately need it.
June 2017: Local schools get an A+ in the fight against hunger
As the school year comes to a close, we’d like to recognize the amazing impact area schools have have had in helping the Pantry to feed local families and kids. Area schools donate to 
the Pantry through food drives and food recovery programs as well as partner with us on our Friday Food Packs program.
May 2017 Newsletter – May is Hunger Awareness month in Loudoun County
On May 2, 2017, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors proclaimed May as Loudoun County Hunger Awareness month.
Pantry President, Charlene Jones, was on hand to witness the signing of the proclamation.
The proclamation recognizes that 17,000 people in Loudoun County (or 4.7% percent of the population) were identified as “food insecure” or hungry last year; and, 69% of those people did not qualify for government assistance. Food pantries see a decrease in contributions over the summer months when families no longer have the security of school-based food programs. With the decrease in donations and increase in need, local food pantries are stretched thin, and by April, they are wondering how they will provide for everyone. Declaring the need to raise awareness of this critical issue, the Board of Supervisors hopes to encourage our citizens to come together to lend a hand.
April 2017 Newsletter – Help our community with inspired giving
This month, we’d like to tell you about a couple of important upcoming events that directly help our local community. Mark your calendars, and please consider donating. Also, you could help us win $1000!
Give Choose is a 24-hour online fundraising event by the Community Foundation for Loudoun & Fauquier Counties for local nonprofits. Last year, you helped us raise $500 by tweeting! This year, we hope to win the $1000 prize for the most donations scheduled between April 18 – May 1, 2017.