LINK Seeks Volunteers for Annual Holiday Food Programs

LINK Seeks Volunteers for Annual Holiday Food Programs

LINK Initiates a Revised Registration Process

"And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all" (Mark 9:35 KJV).

By Lisa Lombardozzi 

LINK President

Home Phone – 703-481-3767

Cell Phone – 703-973-4444

Email – LisaLombo@signaturecos.com

Established in 1972, LINK is one of the legacy “all volunteer” emergency support organizations in Northern Virginia. LINK provides emergency food assistance by request on a daily basis and distributes holiday food baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The organization is comprised of many member churches and church affiliates (consisting of Baptist, Brethren, and Catholic, Episcopal, Fellowship, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian and non-denominational churches) in Herndon, Chantilly  Sterling, Potomac Falls and Ashburn united in a common cause to provide food, grocery gift certificates and financial assistance to qualified people in need 52 weeks a year. LINK retains no paid employees. Volunteers do all the work, and most goods are received from local donations. This past year LINK spent less than $4,000.00 on operating expenses (insurance, electricity, water, telephone, audit expense, mailbox & safe deposit rents, etc.). Similar to the Gospel story of the loaves and fish LINK touches the lives of thousands of people with an annual budget of less than $70,000.00.

Our motivations are rooted in spirit, mercy and responsibility to others. LINK is a powerful opportunity to serve God, model Jesus' teaching and to provide an example to others that they can participate too! Through our hard work and commitment LINK members donate thousands of volunteer hours each year in supporting needy people. LINK volunteers supply an added measure of determination, skill and teamwork and provide enhanced community awareness to those local people living in their time of greatest need.

LINK delivers food to the homes of approximately 80 families (about 300 people) per month in the Herndon, Sterling and Ashburn communities, 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year. In 2010, LINK volunteers made 873 deliveries, providing food for 3,889 people. $17,880.00 in grocery gift certificates was also included with these deliveries. Guests request assistance through a direct phone line, referrals are made through social services staff, and our volunteers also work with the public schools to assist families with school children. Each qualified family is provided about five day’s supply of non-perishable food and a certificate to purchase perishable food. 

During Thanksgiving and Christmas in 2010, LINK served an additional 1,417 families through our Holiday Basket Programs. This number represents a little over 7,000 individuals who received food for five to seven days (totaling 100,000 lbs.). LINK distributed over $37,000 in grocery gift cards, 1,170 gently-used winter coats & clothing and two new toys for 1,800 children newborn through 16 years of age. Almost 1,000 pounds of frozen roast, chops, hamburger, ribs, round steak and soup bones and fresh bread was also provided for every family.

LINK will initiate a revised registration process for the 2011 Holiday Basket Program. Guests will register IN PERSON during one of two registration dates. The details are as follows:

     Friday, Oct. 14^th – Registration open 4 – 7 pm

• Location #1 – Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church (46833 Harry Byrd Highway, Sterling, VA 20164)
• Location #2 - Trinity Presbyterian (651 Dranesville Road, Herndon, VA 20170)

    Saturday, Oct. 22^nd – Registration open 10 am – 12 pm

• Location #1 – Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church (46833 Harry Byrd Highway, Sterling, VA 20164)
• Location #2 - Trinity Presbyterian (651 Dranesville Road, Herndon, VA 20170)

Guests are required to bring a Photo ID in order to register. Guests can register for either the Thanksgiving or Christmas Holiday Basket program or BOTH during this registration period.

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY BASKET

Saturday, November 19

8 am – 2 pm – distribution times

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY BASKET

Saturday, December 17

8 am – 2 pm – distribution times

If there are questions, guests can call 703-437-4409 beginning October 1^st. The Holiday Phone line will not be active until October 1^st.

LINK will also need help with the Registration process, especially for people who require Spanish translators. If you can possibly help on either of the dates above (10/14 or 10/22), please let me know! The more volunteers we have – the quicker the process will go! Please go to the SignupGenius website to volunteer. 

To sign up, go to:
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/holiday1207

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. LINK is working with our community to help the families in our communities and together we can make a difference! 

If anyone is interested in publishing a faith article here, please contact Mark Gunderman at gunderman2001@aol.com.