LINK president moves all volunteer nonprofit forward

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” - John 13:34.

LINK has been serving the Herndon, Sterling, and Ashburn communities for over 40 years (founded 1972) and provides approximately 850 direct deliveries of emergency food to the homes of local residents 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year. As President of LINK, Lisa Lombardozzi oversees this all-volunteer organization that networks with business, churches, civic groups and schools and budgets less than $7,000.00 on operating expenses. Yet is similar to the Gospel story of the loaves and fish by literally touching the lives of thousands of people utilizing an annual budget of approximately $100,000.00.

Lisa has established a motivated and influential working Board of Directors which has elevated LINK to one of the most recognized non-profits in Northern Virginia. Under her guidance, LINK’s comprehensive programs for assisting needy families with groceries, gift cards, clothing and financial assistance has been distinguished by elected officials and community leaders alike.

LINK was recognized in the Congressional Record by the Honorable Frank R. Wolf for the organizations service to the community, Virginia House Joint Resolution No. 416 sponsored by Del. Tom Rust recognized LINK’s 40 years of service, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recognized LINK, and the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors presented LINK with a Resolution of Recognition. Recently Loudoun Del. David LaRock sponsored a Resolution commending LINK for excellent longstanding service to our community.

Training new board members and establishing a productive volunteer environment all depend on healthy lines of communication. Lisa makes great effort to maintain correspondence with project leaders and ensures the monthly meeting and agenda are structured and activities well documented. Her strengths are an ability to engage people and motivate them to participate and also to effectively work with individuals as well as teams. Upon recognizing Lisa’s level of dedication, people are inclined to follow her lead. Under Lisa’s leadership, outstanding volunteers have received the Herndon Distinguished Service Award and the Loudoun Magazine Unsung Hero award for non-profit work.

During Lisa’s tenure as LINK President she has created tremendous synergy between LINK and many emergency support organizations in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties. In 2012, Lisa initiated a partnership with the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) to begin a new monthly program - the Mobile Food Pantry. Large pallets of surplus food are brought by the CAFB to a LINK member church parking lot in Sterling. LINK volunteers bag the food into family-sized portions and distribute to families in need. In three years, more than 185,000 pounds of food has been distributed to 5,100 families. Under Lisa’s direction, LINK was reestablished as a member of United Way and received a $17,000 grant from Loudoun County United Way that increased distribution of fresh meat and winter coats, hats, scarfs and gloves.

Another new program created under Lisa’s leadership -- the ‘School Food Rescue Program’. When students finish their lunch, any unopened and uneaten food items such as milk, yogurt, cheese, fruit, dips, and snack items are “recycled” into labeled bins for LINK. Working with eight area schools in Fairfax and Loudoun, LINK volunteers are able to pick up surplus unopened, perishable items from school lunches and include them in scheduled direct to home food deliveries.

LINK is currently undergoing an operations procedure and guideline restructuring process for pantry coordination, daily packing, food delivery, enhanced food registration, volunteer coordination and financial Memorandums of Understanding (MOU). This effort will provide LINK improved personnel interaction and leveraging of community resources. In turn, this will lead to greater ties to community businesses and increased awareness and support of LINK programs.

When asked what keeps her working with LINK, Lisa said, “The people who are involved! I have met some incredible individuals who selflessly give of their free time for others. I am inspired by all of them. I love the many programs we now employ and how so many people from all ages and backgrounds can provide what they can. I enjoy volunteering beside our LINK guests who when recover from hard times, give back when they can.”

Lisa began volunteering with LINK as a Phone Coordinator in 2000. As Phone Coordinator, she monitored the LINK phone line, contacted needy families, and coordinated direct to home deliveries.

In 2009, she took on the role of Holiday Program Coordinator. This is a huge undertaking as she manages 1,000 volunteers, plans distribution of 110,000 pounds of perishable and non-perishable groceries, $25,000.00 of gift cards, 2,500 winter garments, and 4,000 toys to more than over 850 families during November and December holiday events.

In 2011, Lisa was elected President. LINK is thriving under Lisa’s leadership. Her altruistic volunteerism combined with her passion for the LINK mission allows the organization to expand and assist more families in need every year. Lisa’s dedication and compassion for the families that we serve is an inspiration to us all and makes a difference in the lives of thousands of people.

During all of 2014, LINK programs provided more than 4,000 families with groceries. More than $33,000 in financial assistance for rent and utilities was distributed and more than $60,000 in grocery gift cards was included in direct deliveries to families.

In 2009, Lisa received Dranesville District Lady Fairfax award and in 2014 received the Herndon Distinguished Service Award and also the Virginia Humanitarian Award by the Sterling Lion’s Club. In 2015, the Herndon Rotary Club named Lisa the 49th Herndon Rotary Citizen of the Year.

Information about LINK can be found at http://www.linkagainsthunger.org. LINK needs the continuous financial and volunteer support from our local businesses, civic organizations, churches, schools and residents. LINK’s Campaign Participant Combined Federal Campaign Number is 78589 and the United Way Number is 9648.

May God continue to bless our great community.

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