LINK Announces Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Distribution and Volunteer Schedules

John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same” (Luke 3:11).

Come Sinners, Saints and Spanish Speaking Volunteers!

     It’s often the little things in life that can have the greatest impact on a person’s being. People in need of emergency services are often facing daunting challenges and feel very much alone. This is where LINK shines. When a resident comes to a holiday food program, they are warmly greeted by volunteers ready to assist them. Those who may feel embarrassed quickly realize that LINK volunteers are not there to judge but to serve. After making their selections, volunteers help load the groceries into the cars and wish them well. They no longer feel so alone and are now able to enjoy a holiday meal just as many others of us share with our families.

               - Past President Betty Eidemiller

LINK Holiday Basket Information

Registering for a Holiday Basket - Guests can register for the Holiday Basket Program on either Friday, Oct. 14 from 4 – 7 pm at Trinity Presbyterian Church (651 Dranesville Rd., Herndon) or Christ the Redeemer Church (46833 Harry Byrd Hwy., Sterling) or Saturday, Oct. 22 from 10 am – 12 pm at Trinity Presbyterian Church (651 Dranesville Rd., Herndon) or Christ the Redeemer Church (46833 Harry Byrd Hwy., Sterling). Guests should bring a Photo ID.

Although there is a registration form (attached), LINK prefers that applicants apply in person. Application should only be used if applicant absolutely can’t make the on-site registration. Registration Form must be mailed to: LINK – P.O. Box 443 – Sterling, VA 20167 by October 15^th.

 November 19, 2011

 Food Distribution, 8 am – 2 pm

• Locations: Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church (46833 Harry Byrd Hwy., Sterling, VA 20164) and Trinity Presbyterian (651 Dranesville Rd., Herndon, VA 20170)

 Winter Coat Distribution, 8 am – 3 pm

• Location: Sterling United Methodist Church (304 East Church Road, Sterling, Virginia 20164)

Note:  Applicants do not need to be registered with the LINK program to receive coats (example: client registered with Holiday Coalition, they can go to the church and receive a coat).

December 17, 2011

Food Distribution, 8 am – 2 pm

• Locations: Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church (46833 Harry Byrd Hwy., Sterling, VA 20164) and Trinity Presbyterian (651 Dranesville Rd., Herndon, VA 20170)

Toy Distribution, 8 am – 2 pm

• Location: Herndon United Methodist Church (701 Bennett St., Herndon VA 20170) Families will receive a ticket from the food pick-up location to be used to pick up toys.

 Donations Needed

• Food – Donations of non-perishable food can be dropped off during the sorting hours listed below at either Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church or Trinity Presbyterian Church.
• Coats – Donations of new or gently-used winter coats, scarves, mittens, hats can be dropped off at Sterling United Methodist Church from Nov. 13^th – 17^th, 8:30 am – 8:30 pm, and Nov. 18^th from 8:30 am – 1:00 pm.
• Toys – Donations of new toys can be dropped off at Herndon United Methodist Church from Dec. 12^th – 17^th, 9 am – 3 pm.
• Monetary Donations – Donations can be sent to: LINK, PO Box 443, Sterling, VA 20167-0443. If you want the donation dedicated to a certain purpose, please include that in the memo line.

Translators Needed – We need volunteers who are bilingual and speak Spanish (teenagers are also welcomed) to volunteer the day of the Basket Programs (Nov. 19 and Dec. 17).

Boxes Needed – we typically need 500 empty boxes for both the November & December basket programs. Boxes should be approximately 18x12x15 in size. They will be loaded with heavy canned goods, so a smaller size box is better.

Volunteers Needed – To volunteer, call LINK at 703-437-4409 or send an email (preferable) to fieldross@aol.com.

Volunteer Dates & Hours

November –

• Monday, Nov. 14 – Sorting from 9 am – 12 pm; 7 pm – 9 pm at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church and Trinity Presbyterian Church
• Tuesday, Nov. 15 – closed
• Wednesday, Nov. 16 – closed
• Thursday, Nov. 17 - Sorting from 9 am – 12 pm; 7 pm – 9 pm at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church and Trinity Presbyterian Church
• Friday, Nov. 18 – Sorting from 9 am until finished at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church and Trinity Presbyterian Church
• Saturday, Nov. 19 –
  • Volunteers to help re-stock food, assist families, act as translators, and clean-up, 7:30 am – 4 pm at Christ the Redeemer Church and Trinity Presbyterian Church
  • Drivers to help deliver food to people who are home-bound, 9 am – 12 pm at Trinity Presbyterian Church

NOTE: Volunteers are also needed to pick up food donations from schools located in Herndon and Sterling area and drop it off at either Christ the Redeemer or Trinity Presbyterian between Monday, Nov. 14 and Friday, Nov. 18.

 December –

• Monday, Dec. 12 – Sorting from 9 am – 12 pm; 7 pm – 9 pm at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church and Trinity Presbyterian Church
• Tuesday, Dec. 13 – closed
• Wednesday, Dec. 14 – closed
• Thursday, Dec. 15 - Sorting from 9 am – 12 pm; 7 pm – 9 pm at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church and Trinity Presbyterian Church
• Friday, Dec. 16 – Sorting from 9 am until finished at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church and Trinity Presbyterian Church
• Saturday, Dec. 17 –
  • Volunteers to help re-stock food, assist families, act as translators, and clean-up, 7:30 am – 4 pm at Christ the Redeemer Church and Trinity Presbyterian Church
  • Drivers to help deliver food to people who are home-bound, 9 am – 12 pm at Trinity Presbyterian Church

NOTE: Volunteers are also needed to pick up food donations from schools located in Herndon and Sterling area and drop it off at either Christ the Redeemer or Trinity Presbyterian between Monday, Dec. 12 and Friday, Dec. 17.

Please note each organization will be comparing lists of applications between LINK, Salvation Army & the Holiday Coalition … remind applicants applying for holiday assistance that they can only apply to one organization.

Contact Information

Holiday Basket Program Coordinator

Lisa Lombardozzi

703-973-4444

LisaLombo@signaturecos.com

Volunteer Coordinator

Becky Field-Ross

703-434-9099

fieldross@aol.com

(Prefers emails)