Stuff The Bus Food Drive Returns To Reston Giant

RESTON, VA — Fairfax County residents are invited to participate in the Stuff the Bus food drive this Saturday, March 14, in Reston.

A collaboration between Fairfax County and local nonprofits, THE food drive aims to collect non-perishable food and gift cards to address food insecurity in the area. Donations will be accepted at the Giant at North Point, located at 1450 North Point Village Center, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

According to the Capital Area Food Bank, approximately 26 percent of Fairfax County residents experience food insecurity. This figure represents more than 250,000 people within the county. Projections indicate that hunger challenges may increase due to changes in federal law.

The federal “One Big Beautiful Act” is expected to reduce benefits for the SNAP program. The Congressional Budget Office projects a reduction of $187 billion from this program over the next decade. An Urban Institute analysis found that 54,000 households in Virginia may experience reduced SNAP benefits or lose them entirely, even as the Virginia General Assembly works to replace some funding with state tax dollars.

The Stuff the Bus event will benefit the nonprofit LINK Against Hunger. Last year, the Hunter Mill District's Stuff the Bus drive collected almost 2,000 pounds of food, valued at more than $4,400.

For those unable to attend the Saturday drive, several local organizations are accepting direct donations. The South Lakes High School PTSA Food Pantry accepts food and toiletries at the school's main office or a collection box at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, which is located at 1133 Reston Ave. in Herndon.

Food For Neighbors offers a Red Bag program with upcoming collection dates in April. A Simple Gesture – Reston has a Cool Green Bag program with the next pickup in April.

Cornerstones accepts monetary donations for its FREE from Hunger Center. The Committee for Helping Others accepts food or gift cards for its Food Closet, located at Vienna Presbyterian Church, 124 Park St. Northeast in Vienna. The non-profit also accepts monetary donations.

Also See ...

• Trump Policies 'Playing With People's Ability To Eat': VA Advocate
• Virginia To Tap State Funds To Assist SNAP Recipients
• VA SNAP Benefits Won't Go Out In November, Officials Confirm
• Judges Order SNAP Benefits Must Continue: What It Means For VA