Catholic Charities Of Arlington Diocese Exceeds Food Donation Goal For Holidays

NORTHERN VIRGINIA — Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington collected more than 101,000 pounds of food for people in need this holiday season as part of its Fall Harvest Food Drives, the Diocese said Tuesday.

The charity is asking for additional food through December due to the continued need for food among residents in the region.

During the Fall Harvest Food Drives, at least 40 parishes, schools, and Catholic civic groups in the Diocese of Arlington worked toward the goal of 100,000 pounds of food for the hungry. The food drive took place in October and November in anticipation of a busy holiday season and winter, particularly with food prices on the rise.

“The heartwarming generosity of those within our communities is making all the difference this holiday season. So many of our neighbors are giving with open hands and open hearts,” Cathy Hassinger, director of community services for the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, said in a statement Tuesday.

“The need for food remains slightly higher than it was last year, which is increasingly concerning as food prices rise,” she said. “The food comes into the warehouse and is almost immediately sent to pantries to meet the unprecedented need.”

For members of the community who can donate additional food, items in need include non-perishables such as canned fruits and vegetables, boxed or bagged cereal, rice and pasta, pasta sauce, cooking oil, bread, non-refrigerated juice, peanut butter, and canned chicken or fish, such as tuna or salmon.

Donations can be made to the St. Lucy Food Project warehouse, 8426-28 Kao Circle in Manassas, at a no-contact secure bin 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

All donations will be distributed through the St. Lucy Food Project, the arm of Catholic Charities that collects and distributes the food. The project provides food to the community through three Catholic Charities pantries — Loaves and Fishes in Front Royal, Christ House in Alexandria, and the Loudoun Regional Office in Sterling — as well as more than 80 parish, interfaith, community and government pantries within the Diocese.

Beginning in spring 2020, Catholic Charities’ pantries and parish and partner pantries experienced a dramatic increase in the amount of food needed because of the rising economic toll of the coronavirus on families.

Visit the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington website to learn more about ways to donate food throughout the Diocese. To donate online, visit the Diocese’s secure website.

RELATED: Arlington Diocese Holds Fall Harvest Drive As Food Prices Rise