It is Easter Week and I am still in awe that we been given the gift of eternal life, if we accept Christ as Savior. The fact that He made the sacrifice of giving His life, and then was resurrected so that we may have that gift is still so amazing to me! I hope that each of you will take a moment to reflect on the many "gifts" we see on a daily basis.

One of those gifts here at WFCM--one of sacrificial time and talent, as well as resources--is our Board of Directors.

Our Board is the governance group that oversees the operations of WFCM and makes sure that we are good stewards of the funds and in-kind donations that we receive. Further, many of them serve in very "hands on" ways, such as volunteering at food drives or collections, working in the WFCM Food Pantry or Thrift Store, leading committees and hosting tables at our Annual Fall Fellowship Dinner.  Recently, the 3-year terms of four Board members ended and they left us; though, we hope they won't be strangers to WFCM!  Those who retired were:

• Jan Welch, the first Executive Director of WFCM and former Board President
• Rob Osterhout, former Board Vice President
• Jim Wright, former Board Treasurer
• Dan Whitaker, former Annual Golf Committee Chair (for three years) and also led our many building projects  

Two new members joined the Board recently, bringing with them their expertise, time and resources: Luke Willis and Wagner Garces. We welcome them!

We also recently elected new Board officers for the upcoming fiscal year:

• Elaine Duke, President
• S.E. Nunamaker, Vice President
• Tom Miller, Treasurer
• Renee Cole, Secretary 

Other Board members are Ted Argleben, Jeri Lassiter and myself. 

 

Perhaps you know some of these folks...or perhaps not. But they are truly wise people who help guide the decisions made for the organization. We still need a few good men and women to serve on the Board, therefore, if you feel that you may be led in that direction and have a few hours each month to devote, please call or email me so that I can tell you more about the opportunity.

 

Have a wonderful holiday, and may God richly bless you!

Melissa M. Jansen 

WFCM Executive Director   

 

    

WFCM Annual Golf Tournament

Registration is currently open!

 

WFCM invites you to its annual "Swing for Homelessness Prevention" Golf Tournament. Come out for a day of golf on Monday, May 9 at the Chantilly National Golf and Country Club while helping WFCM provide assistance to local families in need!

 

Thus far, we have 36 golfers...we are praying for 80. We have been blessed with 3 Gold and 3 Silver Sponsors, as well as 13 Hole Sponsors--only 5 more Hole Sponsors are needed to complete our 18! Prize donations, or financial donations towards prizes, are still needed for the silent auction.   

 

Please contact Committee Co-Chair Renee Cole for more information. 

 

Registration Flyer & More Details: Golf Event Flyer 

Karen*

• She is a foreign-born mother of two school-aged children here in the Centreville area. She was referred to us from CSP as a victim of domestic violence and is now without the primary income in the home. We provide her with emergency food and gift cards to the Giant as she does not have any transportation. She has been to the pantry and thrift store when a ride can be arranged from her church. We have given her information about ESL classes available here in Centreville within walking distance of her home.  

Richard* 

• He is a young man recently released from prison. He had his identification stolen and is living on the street. We are trying to help him get on his feet. We gave him gift cards to the Giant as well as bus fare and information about the Lamb Center, which is a day shelter where he can get a hot meal, a shower and some help obtaining a new ID. He is also in contact with Pastor Bill at Centreville Baptist which is one of our supporting churches. 

Douglas*

• He is also a young man who was recently asked to leave home. We helped him open a case with CSP and receive an abundant amount of information regarding different resources available to young adults in the country such as the LIFT programs (transitional housing for young adults), Alternative House (with walk in counseling for teens) and Youth for Tomorrow.  He was able to use our phones and computer and he also received a gift card to get something to eat.   

Catherine*

• She is a young mother who called when she had no diapers for the weekend. We were able to give her food as well as diapers and assist with getting some clothes for her 18 month old. The church where Catherine attended hadn't seen her for a while and was concerned. We were able to get them back in touch. We also offered her the use of the fax to expedite paperwork for the baby's Medicaid and food stamp applications.

Mr. Kaksi*     

• He is a foreign-born gentleman who was fired from his job. He was working with the VEC to determine wrongful termination but in the meantime, was falling behind on his room rent which the landlord needed (to pay the apartment rent). He has no transportation so we help him with emergency food and gift cards which he can contribute to the household and thus keep him from becoming homeless until he finds employment. We provided job listings that might be of use to him.  

 

*The names have been changed to protect client privacy.  

    

Praise and Thanksgiving!

• Praise God for the many walkers and coordinators who helped us earn $22,569 from the Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Program! 
• We are so very thankful for all our volunteers, whether they have served for a day or a decade.
• We are thankful for such a loving and hard-working staff and board of directors.
• We are thankful for the continued healing of several of our volunteers, staff and their loved ones.  

Prayers

• We pray for God to work in the hearts of two homeless men who have sought help at WFCM, that they take wise actions and break bad habits for a stable future.
• We pray that more clients will make use of our free financial training and budget counseling.
• For favorable responses from several foundations who are reviewing grant appeals that would help fund future ministry.
• We pray for all staff, board and volunteers' health, families and walk with God. 
• We pray for all who are suffering physically, emotionally and/or financially.   
• We pray for the Centreville office, that it may continue to grow and meet the needs of our clients in this area.
• We pray for additional volunteers who have the ability to commit to a long-term schedule.   

MOST CRITICAL Volunteer Needs 

While we are always in need of volunteer support, the needs expressed here are those that are most critical only.

(Chantilly Office)
 
FOOD PANTRY VOLUNTEERS
A 2-person volunteer team to pick up from the Fair Lakes Bloom on Mondays at 9:30am.
1 volunteer to pick up from the Union Mill Giant on Thursdays at 9:30am.
One bagger volunteer needed on 2nd & 4th Fridays from 11:15am to 2:30pm.
One stocker volunteer needed on Fridays from 9:30am to 12:00pm.

THRIFT STORE VOLUNTEERS
General volunteer assistance needed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:00am to 12:00pm and from 3:00pm to 6:00pm.
Multiple cashiers needed Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.

 

For more information, please contact our Volunteer Manager, Annette Bosley, or please feel free to visit our website.  Click here for a volunteer application.

Food Pantry Needs 

These items are listed in order of need (greatest being at the top, least being at the bottom).

Food/Beverages

• Jelly or Jam
• Canned Pasta
• Cooking Oil (24-48 oz.)
• Mayonnaise (16-32 oz.)
• Mustard and Ketchup 
• White Sugar (2-5 lb.)
• White Rice (1-3 lb.)
• Instant Cocoa
• Pancake Mix 
• Pancake Syrup    
• Canned: Collard Greens, Beets, Spinach, Carrots, Potatoes, Meats & Fruit
• Juice (64 oz. or smaller) 

Toiletries (NOTE: toiletry items cannot be purchased by our clients with their food stamps) 

• Laundry Detergent (32 load or less)  
• Deodorant
• Shampoo
• Toothpaste    

Thrift Store Needs

We have a great need for:

• premium clothing
• short pants (premium or non-premium)
• furniture items 

Thrift Store Sales

These are our upcoming sale dates for MAY!