Donations Sought To Help Fairfax Families In Need During Holidays

FAIRFAX, VA — Britepaths, the Fairfax-based nonprofit, is seeking financial donations so that it can purchase grocery store gift cards for 265 families experiencing food insecurity during the upcoming holidays and long school breaks.

“In our prosperous area, it is startling to think that 41 percent of Fairfax County households with children experience food insecurity," said Britepaths’ Executive Director Lisa Whetzel. "For many of us, November and December are a time for celebrations and holiday traditions. For the families Britepaths serves, whose budgets are already stretched far too thin, it means making heartbreaking choices.”

Britepaths and Fairfax County Public Schools are teaming up to receive referrals for families who have demonstrated a need for assistance. The donations will allow Britepaths to purchase the gift cards that will be given to to staff members at partner schools. The cards will then be distributed to the students' parents so that their family will have food during the Thanksgiving and winter breaks.

“Children who receive free and reduced-price meals at school will soon be home on long breaks and their parents will be challenged to put food on the table at a time of year when so many of us are enjoying great bounty," Whetzel said. "Supporting Britepaths' Holiday program is a wonderful way to make a real difference for neighbors who live very near us at this special time of year.”

Britepaths’ FCPS Partner Schools:

Fairfax High School Pyramid

• Daniels Run Elementary School
• Eagle View Elementary School
• Fairfax High School
• Katherine Johnson Middle School
• Providence Elementary School

Justice High School Pyramid

• Glen Forest Elementary School
• Justice High School

To learn more and donate online, visit http://britepaths.org/holiday. Checks may be mailed to Britepaths at 3959 Pender Drive, Suite 200, Fairfax, VA 22030. Please write "Holiday 23" in the check memo line. Donations accepted through Dec. 31. Program sponsorships are also available. For more information, contact Britepaths at 703-273-8829 or events@britepaths.org.