Outreach Opportunity

Have an impact in the community!

During services on the first Sunday of each month, non-perishable food items are collected as a part of the offertory and blessed as a part of the alms giving. The items are taken to Lorton Community Action Center and added to their food pantry. Food items are provided to clients who on occasion must rely on this resource to feed their families. Please make a habit of donating a few items each month for this collection.

Suggested items include: canned items, including soup, vegetables, fruit, tuna, and milk; peanut butter, jelly, pasta, pasta sauce, rice, dessert mixes, jello, boxed cereal, baby foods, formula, and diapers.

Items can always be deposited in the red food box in the Common Room. For more information, contact Susan Homar at susan.homar@nciainsurance.com.

Souper Sunday
A new commandment I give unto you,
that ye love one another; as I have loved you,
that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples,
if ye have love one to another.

John 13:34-35

It is hard to believe that in the surrounding affluent community there is hunger and poverty close at hand. In fact, one in six children living in Northern Virginia is at risk of hunger. More than 38% of all working families living in the area make less than $35,000 per year. Yet the average monthly Food Stamp Program benefit is only $91.83. On such a small amount, buying one week’s worth of groceries would be a challenge, let alone for an entire month. So, it is not hard to see that these families depend on the generosity of others to make ends meet.

Regular donations of food items are crucial to Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC) and the needy families they serve. The cash donations made on Souper Sunday are especially appreciated because of the vast quantities of food they allow LCAC to buy. This year, Pohick collected more than $700 - money that LCAC can use to buy fresh milk, produce, and meats for families and individuals who would otherwise go without.

Some of the people LCAC serves are the elderly who would otherwise have to choose between buying their needed medications or food. Others are families who would have to buy inexpensive, unhealthy food instead of the more expensive and nutritious alternatives. On behalf of LCAC, Anita Stribling, and most importantly the families being helped, thanks for answering Jesus’ call to minister to neighbors in need.