Hundreds of volunteers congregated at sites across Northern Virginia on Saturday (Oct. 25) to collect, sort and distribute donations to local school food pantries.
Timed to coincide with National Make a Difference Day, the sorting events were organized by the nonprofit Food for Neighbors to help the many students in the region who struggle with getting consistent access to food — a challenge expected to worsen as the federal government shutdown approaches a month in length.
Like other nonprofits focused on addressing food insecurity, Food for Neighbors is bracing for an increase in need should the U.S. Department of Agriculture cut off benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) next month as threatened, despite having an estimated $5 billion contingency fund.
“When federal programs like SNAP face reductions or delays, local families often turn to community-based organizations like ours for extra support,” Food for Neighbors Executive Director Karen Joseph told FFXnow. “Food For Neighbors works closely with school social workers and pantry coordinators to ensure that students have consistent access to nutritious food — especially during times when household resources may be stretched.”
According to Fairfax County, more than 56,000 of its residents receive about $9.9 million in SNAP benefits every month, enabling them to purchase groceries.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency last Thursday (Oct. 23) that he said will free up state money to provide food assistance for SNAP recipients. The newly created program, named Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA), will start sending money weekly on Nov. 3, the governor said today (Tuesday).
Food for Neighbors, which helps schools set up food pantries and enlists residents and businesses to donate groceries through its Red Bag Program, is preparing to offer additional emergency food and grocery store gift card distributions in the coming weeks, Joseph says.
She noted that the winter holidays are also on the horizon, typically the busiest time for charitable giving.
“Thanks to the relationships we have with our schools and the generosity of our community, we’re able to respond quickly when needs rise, helping to keep local school food pantries stocked and ensuring no student goes hungry,” Joseph said.
Despite the region’s overall wealth, hunger remains a persistent issue in Northern Virginia even when the federal government isn’t embroiled in a political budget battle.
During the 2024-2025 school year, more than 41% of Fairfax County Public Schools students were economically disadvantaged, a status determined by whether they qualify for free or reduced-price meals, according to Virginia Department of Education data.
Across the D.C. region, approximately 36% of all households experience food insecurity, the Capital Area Food Bank found in its most recent annual hunger report. The survey for the report was conducted this past spring, so it didn’t reflect the impacts of the government shutdown or ongoing layoffs of federal workers and contractors.
Started in 2016 with just two schools in Fairfax County, Food for Neighbors now supports 55 schools in Fairfax, Arlington and Loudoun counties, helping feed over 10,000 students. In Fairfax, the nonprofit has partnered with schools in the Centreville, Herndon, Falls Church, Fairfax, South County, Fort Hunt and Springfield areas.
More than 900 volunteers participated in the National Make a Difference Day events, sorting approximately 28,600 pounds of food.
Among those helping at a sorting site in Fort Hunt was a team from Walmart’s Hybla Valley store and both the current and past presidents of the Northern Virginia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (NVAND).
“We know so many families in need, and we have to help,” NVAND President Sharon Staier said in a press release.
Former NVAND president Alexandra Freiman added that proper nutrition is critical for helping students learn.
“We are passionate about improving lives and nutrition in our community,” she said.
