Burke Connection

In November, as the days of the federal government shutdown lengthened, so did the lines of those visiting the food pantry at United Methodist Church on Sydenstricker Road in Springfield. The number of families requesting service at Lorton Community Action Center pantry climbed higher too.  Fortunately, at both pantries the shelves were filled with food, sourced with available grants, and by other individual and group donors who realized the growing need. But some pantry managers wonder how long the needed level of support, of money and volunteers, can be sustained at such high levels.

Lorton Community Action Center 

At the Lorton pantry, Executive Director Rob Rutland-Brown estimates they saw a 21 percent increase in October over previous months, with over 300 families served each week, a sharp increase from last year. Rutland-Brown surmises that as costs of groceries increase, a family’s available money is not going as far. Healthy food, fresh fruits and vegetables, and meat, all cost more, bringing more guests to the pantry.

The Lorton pantry sources their food offerings in three ways: donations from local grocery stores which pantry volunteers pick up regularly; from community donations, including churches, businesses, schools, scout troops, and individuals; and from the pantry’s annual budget purchases, mostly meat, vegetables and dairy products. That budget comes from the county, foundations, businesses and individual donors. In years since COVID, the pantry has benefitted from an annual $125,000 grant. They also receive an annual $35,000 donation from Fairfax County.

Although little information is collected from guests, Rutland-Brown estimates that about half are immigrant families, noting, however, they are seeing a growing number of military guests, both active duty and veterans. They also have a growing number of seniors, including those who need home delivery services.

The Lorton pantry is fortunate to have a large cadre of volunteers. About 400 volunteers supplement services staff, and work varying shifts and hours. Volunteers pick up groceries, sort products and stock shelves, assist guests in making selections, and drive food to the home-bound. One volunteer, Tom Cohen, of Burke, who regularly picks up food from his assigned Giant store with his two children, shared that an employee there once commented on the importance of the pantry’s work. The grocery worker shared that he himself was once struggling to make a start. “This makes a difference in these people’s lives, and this place [the pantry] kept many families alive.”

For more information, see https://lortonaction.org/donate

Sydenstricker United Methodist Church

Sydenstricker United Methodist Church has a long history of offering food twice per month through a partnership with Capital Area Food Bank, and of making sandwiches to donate to So Others Might Eat.

The church’s pantry has been helping about 200 families this year, noting a growing line of cars waiting for service. Pastor Don Jamison relates that on some of their recent past Tuesday and Thursday pantry days, cars have started to line up at 9:30 a.m. for the 3:30 p.m. opening. He speculates that families, some from Maryland, many Hispanic, share this option with friends, who may choose United Methodist because they offer fresh produce, meat and dairy products, as well as canned and dry packaged food staples. 

The church sources from three Giant Food stores and an Aldi, where they are able to make purchases at a significantly reduced cost through their Capital Area Food Bank association. All food on offer is within recommended use dates. Jamison explains much is being replaced on the grocery store shelves by new truckloads of product designated for particular shelving, making that food available at a reduced price. The church also receives produce from Rising Hope Mission, an outreach kitchen and pantry in Alexandria.

Changes are coming soon to the services Sydenstricker United Methodist is able to provide. For the church it is not about food resources, guests, or funding. It is about the volunteers available to provide the support efforts. Jamison says many church members and volunteers are seniors, involved for years, who are not now able to continue the work. He says the church will be forced to limit the number of families they serve, restricting their coverage to Zip Codes within a ten mile radius. They expect to work with families by appointment instead of delivering to cars in line on open pantry days.  

The church’s sandwich ministry will continue and volunteers are welcome to help. Find volunteer information at:  https://www.sydenstrickerumc.org/Sandwich-Making

What is unknown for these local pantries and others throughout the region, is how long can they count on the funding? Will the government stay open through the next budget deadline? Will prices come down to ease the struggles many face to make ends meet?  

Pantry managers remind everyone that they accept donations at their physical sites and on-line.