Our End of Year Update & Gratitude
Dearest friends and families –
The season of gratitude is in full swing as we officially enter December and this newsletter allows us the perfect opportunity to reflect on the year so far and on what is ahead. Looking back, we are beyond thankful to all of you who have donated your time, your funds, and your enthusiastic support to DC Food Project!
Those who benefit from your support are among our community’s most vulnerable and, at this time of year in particular, we reflect on the meaning of food – as a basic need and also as a way to gather as a community in sharing and in providing for each other.
We have come a long way since this all started, with our Pantry Program now in over 40 schools, Share Tables in over 20 schools and our ongoing Community Bag Distribution helping seniors. But what has become evident to us is the rise in need - we are hearing from schools every day, asking for additional help, letting us know of more and more families that need support. The reality is we are seeing first hand the ongoing impacts of the pandemic on employment, high rates of inflation and the roll back of pandemic assistance programs - a major one being access to free meals in public schools regardless of income.
The good news is our programs are working! With your support, we have been launching pantries all fall, with many more to come in the new year, including our first in Arlington County! Our school partners work with us hand-in-hand on letting us know how many students need help in their school, what kinds of food, toiletries or other items they need. We hear their stories, about the kids we are helping, the families YOU all are supporting.
“Many of the students/families who attend our school are undocumented or underserved. The DC Food Project Pantry helps to supplement meals or to provide entire meals for families in need. For some, this donation may provide the only access for families until they are able to provide for themselves.”
- Michelle Allen, Harriet Tubman Elementary School
We know we are on the right track to help eradicate food insecurity amongst children in our city. Our goal is to launch our Pantry Program in every school in Washington, D.C. Period. In the spirit of this giving season, we hope you will consider supporting our mission.
OUR NOVEMBER DISTRIBUTION DAY!
On November 17th, our team, along with over 40 volunteers, delivered over 1,000 boxes of much-needed food, toiletries, snacks, hot meals from Support & Feed(and boy were those well received by the seniors we support!), the ever-so thoughtful donations from our friends at Amore Learning, DC Soccer Club and Hyatt B.L.A.C.K, and beautiful produce from our partners at Hungry Harvest. Thank you to Bohler DC, Georgetown DC Hoyas, the most energetic Howard Softball Team we've ever seen, DC Central Kitchen and Capital Area Food Bank, and of course our fearless volunteers who have been with us all this time. You are all amazing. Our next distribution is taking place on Friday, December 15th as we anticipate school closures for the holidays. If you would like to join us, please contact us here.
SCHOOL SHOUT OUTS:
We would like to welcome the following new schools to the DC Food Project Family - we’re thrilled to be working with you!
Escuela Key Elementary School (Arlington, VA)
School Without Walls at Francis Stevens
HD Cooke
Ludlow Taylor
LAMB Public Charter School
Hendley Elementary School
John Lewis Elementary School
Latin Charter School
DC International School
Burville Elementary School
UPCOMING EVENTS:
December 15: DC Food Project Pantry Pack and Deliver Volunteer Day
If you are interested in volunteering or sponsoring a school or volunteer day, please contact us here.
THANK YOU FROM OUR TEAM TO YOU:
Again, from the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU for all you do to support our programs. We are humbled by your support, your volunteering, your donations and your partnerships and look forward to continuing to make change together in the coming year.
Wishing you all a warm, light-filled and joyful holiday season,
Alysa, Katie, Krista & Lucie