WFCM Update
WFCM Executive Director's Update
Executive Director's Update During the month of July, the number of families selecting food in our markets increased as the summer months impact both students' access to food and income earned by 10-month employees working for the school system. Summer months are particularly hard for Doris* as she stretches her income earned during the school year to pay her rent and utility bills. Getting food for herself and her two elementary-aged children at WFCM’s Free Food Market helps Doris save more funds to pay for her housing expenses.
At her recent appointment Doris shared, “My family is so grateful for WFCM.”With the increase in families seeking services, and a new process for Fairfax County's Emergency Food and Emergency Housing grants for Fiscal Year 2027 that has delayed grant decisions/awards, I am thankful for several partners who have stepped forward to ensure we have most needed/desired food items in our markets as well as to provide funds for rent and utility assistance.
Thank you to our partner Wegmans Chantilly for providing 700 containers of pasta sauce and 700 boxes of pasta to stock our shelves during the month of August! Thank you to our new partner, Centra, for funds to provide utility assistance.
And thank you to our long-time partner, Expectation Church, for providing thousands of dollars for rent assistance. When asked about the decision to provide funds for rent, Executive Pastor Mike Zizolfo shared,"At Expectation Church, meeting needs is one of the ways we demonstrate the love of Jesus to our community. We're grateful for the opportunity to support our longtime partner, WFCM, and for the meaningful work they continue to do."
Thank you to Wegmans Chantilly, Centra, Expectation Church, and to each of you who chooses to partner with WFCM. Your support is critical and impactful for thousands of community members!
God bless,
Harmonie Taddeo, Executive Director
*Name changed for privacy.~~~
Most needed items in the Free Food Markets this month:
Sugar (1 lb. or 2 lb. bag)
White All-Purpose Flour
Oil (vegetable, canola, olive)
Cereal (low sugar preferred)
Oatmeal (Quaker Oats)
Pancake Mix
Shelf Stable Juice (apple, cranberry, grape)
Canned Tomatoes (crushed, whole, paste)
Canned Fruit (pineapple, mandarin oranges)
Canned Vegetables (carrots, potatoes, beets, spinach, collard greens) Mashed PotatoesCanned Fish (tuna, salmon) Boxed Pasta (no macaroni needed at this time) Pasta Sauce (no glass jars) Note - We have an abundant amount of canned green beans, stuffing, and condensed chicken noodle and tomato soup. If purchasing items to donate for our markets, we kindly request you not purchase/donate these items. Toiletries and Household Items: Toilet PaperBaby WipesBody WashBar Soap Toothpaste Body LotionShaving Cream (full size) and Disposable Razors Pull-ups size 4T/5As a reminder, we accept food and toiletry donations Monday - Friday 8-10 am at 4511 Daly Drive Suite H (Back Door) and on the second Saturday monthly 9-11 am.
Other WFCM needs:
WFCM provides more than food to our neighbors – they also provide direct financial assistance for rent as well as other support programs to help families become self-sufficient. All of these activities are funding by financial donations.
How YOU can help:
1. Place needed items into the cart at Pender for weekly delivery to WFCM
2. Provide a monetary donation through Pender by designating WFCM on your check or on-line giving.
3. Order from Amazon for direct delivery to WFCM at 4511 Daly Drive, Suite H, Chantilly, VA 20151 (Amazon is best for heavy items.)
4. Donate your time by volunteering in the Food Pantry or another of their many services.
To learn more, click here to link to the WFCM website. www.wfcmva.org
If you have any questions, please contact Becky Bryan, the Pender coordinator with WFCM. My First paragraph with bold text.
From the August 6, 2026 This Week at Pender Newsletter
This Week at Pender is sent out every Thursday at 4:00 pm.
If you don't already get it, you can sign up here.