2nd Annual Hunger Summit in Ashburn

According to Forbes magazine, Loudoun County ranks as the richest county in the United States with a median annual income of $119,525. Although we enjoy this notable recognition, it cannot be overlooked that a percentage of residents in our affluent community are food insecure or hungry.

For the second year in a row, representatives from local government, faith groups, food pantries, food banks, philanthropists, the Chamber of Commerce, charitable organizations, the school board, and other government organizations came together in Ashburn to discuss issues and potential solutions during the 2nd Annual Loudoun County Hunger Summit on Friday, September 20th.

This year's Summit commenced with a welcome by Chairman Scott York, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors and a quote by Feeding America, "Creating a hunger-free America requires a partnership that brings together charity, business, and the public sector. Food banks (pantries) cannot meet the need for food assistance without a strong commitment.” The participants were reminded that this is the foundation of why they were all present that day.

Rona Scott, Latter-day Saints (LDS) Public Affairs Director whose Church played host to the summit followed Chairman York by recapping this past year's challenges and success in the area of hunger. After highlighting a 3 member volunteer committee that moved the hunger initiative forward this past year, Scott told the group of the first post hunger meeting: it laid out the agenda for the remainder of the meeting led by noted speakers.

Assessing a New Resource: School Food Recovery Program

Lisa Lombardozzi representing LINK, a Sterling, VA non-profit food pantry, discussed the pantry’s partnership with Fairfax County Public Schools in obtaining excess or unused cafeteria food. Lombardozzi stated that this partnership saved approximately 37,000 pounds of food from being wasted, and in turn used by LINK to provide food for their clients. Rona Scott raised the question as to whether or not Loudoun County Public Schools could emulate the Fairfax County Public School model to supply excess food to the local pantries, thereby creating a continuing influx of much needed food donations while in turn eliminating the waste of useable food. Establishing a County wide policy will take time, but the Summit afforded an opportunity to discuss the possibilities.

An Answer to Communication Problems between Non-profits & Faith Community

Tracey White, Chamber Chair for the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce, introduced a new online networking tool developed through the Chamber and the County. Connect Northern Virginia (connectnorthernvirginia.org) is an online portal offering a variety of networking and community resources. Much interest was generated by this announcement, and many Summit attendees discussed the positive uses this could create for food pantries that could utilize this online community to post events, network, and advertise donation needs for technology and service.

Backpack Buddies Program

100 Women Strong was represented again this year by President Karen Schaufeld who discussed the fund’s involvement in the Backpack Buddies program through funding to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. Ms. Schaufeld stated that the goal was to improve and expand the program over the next few years to be able to feed 100% of the food insecure children in Loudoun through the Backpack Buddies program. Schaufeld stated, "We know that a lack of adequate food has long term brain and physical development implications so the need to fix this is urgent. Every child who doesn't reach their full potential is a loss to me, to you and to Loudoun."

"Effectively Reducing Hunger Requires a Holistic Approach" - Head Start

The focus of the Summit program turned to presentations of a holistic approach to combating hunger, or what was termed “a hand up” instead of a handout. The Good Shepherd Alliance organization focuses its' program on teaching six steps to self-sufficiency including personal development, education, job training etc. GSA has experienced an 86% success rate through this model.

Another presenter who's organization has expanded to utilize life skills training is Brian McMullan, Director of Tree of Life Ministries pantry in Purcellville. Tree of Life Ministries is sponsored by the Purcellville Baptist Church. McMullan spoke of his pantry’s philosophy of a “bigger picture approach”. He shared that Tree of Life’s purpose is “to reach out to the poor and needy in our community with the love of Jesus Christ” through an expanded program of food, shelter, life skills, health care, and relief. This expansion to include these services began in March of this year.

The last formal presenter was Guy Hicks, Ashburn Stake President of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The LDS Church or Mormons are well known for their expansive Welfare program that administers aid worldwide. Pres. Hick's shared the church’s specific welfare principles of Provident Living and self-reliance through education, career development, financial management, emergency preparedness and food storage, physical health, and mental/emotional strength. These principles are taught often in the LDS faith and members are encouraged to embrace it in their lives.

Those who do so, find lives that are free from overwhelming burden during hard times because they have been taught to be prepared. "Going forward," shared Pres. Hick's, "our hope is to remain deeply imbedded in the movement to address the needs of those that are hungry by utilizing all resources from donations to life skills training. Strengthening relationships, not just in the interfaith community, but also in the business community and government will provide a successful three way partnership. All of us have different skills, talents and benefits that we can bring. If we can't work together, we're never going to address the need."

Chairman York closed out the 2nd Annual Loudoun County Hunger Summit with a heartfelt expression of gratitude for all who work hard to reduce hunger in Loudoun on a daily basis. Ending on a light note he shared his version of a famous Star Trek quote, “Live long and prosper and continue to share.”