Food For Neighbors Collects 38,000 Pounds Of Food For Northern Virginia Students

The Oct. 24 food drive, held on National Make a Difference Day, was the latest effort by an organization that began with one mother's concern about hungry students. Since its founding in 2016, Food For Neighbors has collected more than 850,000 pounds of food and recruited thousands of volunteers to support students throughout the region.

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The nonprofit's founder, Karen Joseph, was serving as a PTA president when she learned that students were taking snacks from a high school teacher's desk. The teacher explained that she kept food available because some students were too hungry to concentrate in class.

From Two Schools To 60 Across Northern Virginia

"It was hard to believe that children were going hungry in our community," Joseph said in a statement marking the anniversary. "I knew we had to do something."

Joseph launched Food For Neighbors to address the problem, initially serving students at two schools. A decade later, the organization supports food pantries at 60 middle and high schools across Northern Virginia.

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid said the nonprofit's growth demonstrates the importance of community partnerships in addressing student needs.

"Food For Neighbors is a wonderful example of what is possible when a community comes together to support the power and promise of public education," Reid said. "What began with just 20 volunteers has grown into an extraordinary partnership supporting 12,000 students across 60 schools. Their commitment reminds us that by supporting our students, we strengthen the future of our entire community."

The organization cited school meal eligibility figures to illustrate the continuing need for assistance. More than one-third of Fairfax County public school students and nearly one-quarter of Loudoun County students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, while thousands of Arlington students also receive free school meals.

Reid noted that more than 76,000 Fairfax County students need meal support at school, a figure she said exceeds the total public school enrollment in Loudoun County.

Red Bag Program Helps Stock School Food Pantries

Food For Neighbors operates a Red Bag program that allows residents to donate nonperishable groceries five times during the school year.

Participating households fill reusable red bags with requested food items and leave them outside their homes on designated collection days. Volunteers pick up the donations, sort the food and distribute it to participating school pantries.

The program is designed to provide students facing food insecurity with access to food beyond the meals they receive during the school day.

"Ten years ago, I saw one small sign of a much bigger problem," Joseph said. "What has happened since is a testament to what we can accomplish when a community comes together. Thousands of neighbors have stepped up to help students get the food they need to learn, grow, and succeed. That's what making a difference is all about."

Fairfax County Supervisors Walter Alcorn, who represents the Hunter Mill District, and Dalia Palchik, who represents the Providence District, presented Joseph with a Board of Supervisors resolution recognizing the organization's 10th anniversary.

"Karen identified a need and did something," Alcorn said. "With Food For Neighbors, the community is working together to address a clear need."

Nonprofit Sets Goal Of Collecting 1 Million Pounds Of Food

With more than 850,000 pounds of food collected over the past decade, Food For Neighbors is working toward a cumulative total of 1 million pounds while expanding participation in its programs.

The organization's next Red Bag collection is scheduled for Jan. 16, 2027.

Northern Virginia residents interested in becoming Red Bag donors or volunteering can find information on the Food For Neighbors website.