Assistance League Completes Initial Food Packing of the School Year

Assistance League of Northern Virginia’s first Weekend Food for Kids packing of the school year was a huge success, with several elements that made it extraordinary. Aided by 80 helpers, including Assistance League members, Dominion employees, and community volunteers, the team packed 1720 bags in less than an hour and delivered them to 6 schools! Such efficient packing relies on the team of members who gather a few days before to organize all the items to ensure that each assembly line has the exact number of items for the schools where the bags will be delivered.

The nonprofit expanded its food program this year in several ways. It increased the number of bags distributed - 4 schools now receive 10 additional bags each- and three items in the bag were replaced with new ones in an effort to provide more nutritious non-perishable items that will appeal to the children. Also, the six schools will get two ‘emergency’ grocery gift cards each month, intended for families facing special challenges. The food bags and emergency gift cards were delivered to students in Fairfax and Prince William counties. A seventh school, in Alexandria, receives grocery gift cards only, due to storage issues at the school. In addition, a school that receives food bags from another source receives five gift cards.

The food-program expansion was possible, in part because of a generous grant from the Cecil and Irene Hylton Foundation, Inc., Woodbridge. Assistance League is very grateful for the Hylton Foundation’s continued support and will use the grant to purchase food items and grocery gift cards for the three schools it serves in Prince William County.

This month’s packing included long-time friends from Didlake, Inc., Manassas, and RBH Global Wealth Partners, Reston. The Didlake helpers hadn’t been able to attend a food packing since the pandemic, while friends from RBH have helped with these events many times. In addition, RBH made a donation to purchase much-needed items for the Hygiene Kits that Assistance League will distribute to older students at several elementary schools next month. The nonprofit is very grateful to Rebecca Hall and RBH for their continued support. Also attending the event was a team from Northwest Federal Credit Union.

Assistance League also kicked off the new school year by providing an assortment of basic clothing to the eight elementary schools. In all, 1113 items of clothing, such as sweatpants, sweatshirts, leggings, underwear, and socks, were provided. The nonprofit’s New Clothing for Kids efforts will continue in October, with planned deliveries of clothing, sneakers, and winter jackets.

With such a terrific start to this school year, Assistance League members can’t wait to see what they can accomplish, with the help of their many supporters.