Catholic Charities Of The Diocese Of Arlington Holds Fall Harvest Food Drive

NORTHERN VIRGINIA — Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington is holding its “Fall Harvest Food Drive,” a food donation drive aimed at securing more than 100,000 pounds of food by the end of November.

The food drive is in anticipation of a busy holiday season and winter, particularly with food prices on the rise, the diocese said. More than 40 parishes, schools and Catholic civic groups have either participated in or are scheduled to host a food drive.

Almost 250,000 people in the Diocese of Arlington are food insecure, meaning they do not know where their next meal is coming from, the Diocese said.

“Our need for food donations is slightly above where it was last year during the height of the pandemic. This is particularly concerning given the continued rise in the cost of food, which is hitting those in need very hard,” Cathy Hassinger, director of community services for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington, said in a statement Monday.

Many of the food collection sites offer drive-by drop-offs of 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.

Additionally, the St. Lucy Food Project, the arm of Catholic Charities that collects and distributes the food, is asking for individually sized canned meats, macaroni and cheese, shelf-stable milk, and Chef Boyardee for its “Students on the Move” program, which provides take-home packages to school kids who otherwise would go hungry.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington has provided a list of donation events in November. Staff and volunteers practice social distancing and wear masks at all sites.

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

The public can donate online, too.

All donations will be distributed through the St. Lucy Food Project, which 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. The project also provides food at more than 80 parish, interfaith, community and government pantries within the Diocese.

Visit the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington website to learn more about ways to donate food throughout the Diocese.