StarKist, Feed The Children, Cornerstones Rally To Fight Hunger In NoVA

HERNDON, VA — Hundreds of families in Northern Virginia received food, hygiene items and other household essentials Thursday during a Summer Food and Resource Rally hosted by StarKist, Feed the Children, Cornerstones and Floris United Methodist Church in Herndon.

Volunteers distributed 400 family kits containing StarKist products, 25-pound boxes of shelf-stable food, 15-pound boxes of hygiene essentials and additional resources, according to a news release from StarKist. Each kit was designed to support a family of four, providing more than 8,300 meals to 400 households in the Dulles Corridor region.

The event brought together StarKist employees, nonprofit leaders, faith leaders, elected officials and community volunteers to address food insecurity in Fairfax County and surrounding communities.

‘This Is Where We Live And We Work’

Mike Merritt, StarKist’s vice president of marketing, said the Reston-headquartered company sees the rally as both a national partnership and a local responsibility.

“For us, this is where we live and we work,” Merritt said. “While StarKist is a big national brand, and we have huge impact, especially with some of the programs we’re doing with Feed the Children, it’s really important that we do this not only in terms of giving product, but our time.”

Merritt said StarKist has partnered with Feed the Children for more than 15 years, donating nearly $5 million in protein and other products, along with nearly $1 million in cash donations.

“Food and economic insecurity really aren’t impacted by weather, so we need to keep on,” Merritt told volunteers, noting that a light drizzle had forced some changes to the event plan. “This is where we work, and this is where we live, and so it’s incredibly important that we give back to this community.”

Bill Gray, director of spiritual formation at Floris United Methodist Church, welcomed the volunteers to the church, which he said has been part of the community for 130 years.

“We found our place in the community, and we’re thrilled that you’re here, and we can help take a bite out of hunger today,” Gray said. “Food insecurity is an issue that we take very seriously here at Floris, and so we’re thrilled that we can partner with all of these wonderful people, StarKist and Cornerstones, to help us make these people’s days just a little brighter.”

‘Not Just About Surviving’

David French, head of marketing for Feed the Children, said the rally reflected the role partnerships play in addressing childhood hunger.

“Something magical is about to happen here, and why it’s magical is because it’s something that you can’t do by yourself,” French said. “It’s about people, individuals and entities all coming together in powerful and unique ways.”

French said Feed the Children works in nine countries and reached 15 million families and children last year. He said the Herndon event was about more than providing food.

“One thing I want to emphasize about our work: It’s not just about surviving, it’s also about thriving,” French said, pointing to essentials packs and items for children included with the food. “We believe that kids need to be healthy and happy and learning in order to succeed in life.”

Shannon Steene, CEO of Cornerstones, said the event was “a great demonstration” of the organization’s work with community partners. He said food insecurity is often an early sign that families are struggling.

“Food insecurity tends to be such a leading indicator,” Steene said. “When people are struggling to put food on the table, that is such a base need.”

Steene said Fairfax County’s overall wealth does not mean every household has the same resources.

“It is very much considered a wealthy county, and we are fortunate because of that,” Steene said. “That doesn’t mean that everyone in the community is of the exact same means.”

Elected Officials Praise Community Response

State Sen. Jennifer Boysko (D-Herndon), said the event is one she looks forward to each year.

“When we work together, we get stuff done and care for our communities and make it a place for everyone with no exception,” Boysko said.

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay (D-At Large) said the rally showed how public agencies, nonprofits, faith communities and businesses can extend the reach of available resources.

“The quality of a community oftentimes is measured in its generosity,” McKay said. “One thing we can be very proud of throughout Fairfax County is that when people have needs, our community is generous and steps up in whatever way they can.”

McKay said Fairfax County provides funding to community-based nonprofits because “every dollar we invest, public dollar, can be stretched” through community partnerships. He also said the timing of the rally was important because many students rely on school meals during the academic year.

“When summer hits, there’s a lot of worry about the health and nutrition of our kids through the summer period of time,” McKay said. “This is timely. This is important in supporting our young people, tomorrow’s leaders.”

Supervisor Jimmie Bierman (D-Dranesville) thanked the groups for bringing the event to his district.

“I feel very lucky to have Floris Methodist in my district because of all the great community events that you do,” Bierman said.

Supervisor Walter Alcorn (D-Hunter Mill) also thanked the volunteers and the church, saying the work behind the rally extended beyond the day of the event.

“They’ve been working on this for a number of days,” Alcorn said. “This is not just a one-time thing, so everybody who’s helped out with that, thank you.”

The event also included regional business leaders and other elected officials, as volunteers prepared for families arriving to pick up the food and supplies.