Food For Neighbors Family Makes Local Acts of Kindness a Priority

Food For Neighbors thanks its 2,000 food donors and 1,600 volunteers for all that they do to help hungry students. They donate, collect, sort, store, and deliver food and more! Their community spirit not only shines through their hands-on support, but also it spreads in their passion for helping others. One such family dedicated to service is the McMahans, who regularly and enthusiastically inspire their neighbors with small acts of kindness.

Stephanie and Chuck McMahan of Sterling, VA are steadfast supporters of Food For Neighbors. Their strong commitment to service is rooted in a desire to raise their teenage daughters, Angelina and Claire, to appreciate the importance of helping others, even those they may not know. When Stephanie and Chuck discovered the book, Channel of Peace by Kevin Tuerff, they found a way that their whole family could serve annually with purpose. According to the McMahans, Tuerff was one of many airline passengers who, as a result of the 9/11 attacks, spent time in the town of Gander, in Newfoundland, Canada. He and other passengers experienced a very welcoming community that generously provided them with care and support. Inspired by this experience, Tuerff returned home and encouraged his employees to make a difference. He eventually went on to write his book and to found a charity that focuses on paying good deeds forward.

Stephanie explained that, as her daughters became older, she and Chuck were able to teach them more about 9/11, and they always made a point of stressing the importance of the kindness of strangers—those providing food and supplies to the stranded passengers in Gander as well as those risking their lives to help others. Stephanie hoped that her daughters would keep that lesson close to their hearts and spread the joy of serving.

As she said, “Little, local acts of kindness can have a ripple effect and inspire others to make a difference.”

The McMahans have spent over 10 years making these positive ripples in the community. In addition to serving throughout the year, every year on 9/11 they have pursued three small acts of kindness, some of which are tied directly to remembrance of the day. For example, in recognition of the many stranded animals that the Gander community helped, the McMahans have purchased and delivered supplies for the SPCA. Also among their varied projects, they have baked and delivered sweets to local police, firefighters, and airport officials. This year, the McMahan’s three acts of kindness included donating blood platelets at Inova, making and delivering homemade jam to a farmer who grew the jam’s fruit, and collecting Red Bag food donations for hungry students.

Stephanie and Chuck’s goal to raise two service-minded daughters has been realized many times over. Now sophomores at Potomac Falls High School, Angelina and Claire are not only helping the most vulnerable in the community, but are also inspiring others, including their new Ukrainian housemate and friend, Christina Pavlova, to join them. Food For Neighbors looks forward to seeing their kindness and enthusiasm continue to make a difference.