Director's Corner: July

Wow, half the summer has almost passed! That means all our usual crazy fall activity around WFCM is just around the corner...

 

Our Fannie Mae Walkathons, hosted by local schools, churches and businesses...

 

Our Holiday Basket Program...

 

Our 4th Annual Fellowship Dinner ...

 

Just in case you aren't familiar with each of those, take a minute to visit our website as well as this and upcoming editions of the eNews to get connected with our many opportunities.  

 

We would love to have 25 more table hosts at our Annual Fellowship Dinner on October 14th. We truly depend on our ministry partners to invite their friends to come and eat, and enjoy beautiful music and the messages from a fabulous keynote speaker and our clients. If you can attend the Dinner, please  register online HERE or contact Cindy Nichols, Registration Coordinator, for assistance. If interested in hosting a table, please contact Annette Bosley, Table Host Coordinator.    

 

This month I am also reminded of WHY we do what we do here at WFCM: the clients. Recently, I spoke with a scared, despondent man who had lost most of his mobility and all of his faith in God. We had helped him with his basic needs, such as food, clothing and financial assistance...but he desperately needed to know that someone loved him, which was an easy answer for me. Simply put, GOD is love.

 

Finally, I am reminded of all the heroes who serve daily at WFCM: our volunteers. Ranging from young teens (12) to grandparents (80), they are the backbone of this organization, and are the hands and feet who truly serve clients and customers. We are eternally grateful to them and to each of you reading if you have ever volunteered at WFCM. Interested in or have questions about volunteering?  Please contact our Volunteer Manager, Annette Bosley. Our most current volunteer needs are listed in this eNews and on our website at all times.  

 

As you enjoy the summer months, rest assured that poverty and homelessness still exist in Fairfax County, and in the western region, rest assured that we are here to meet those needs.   

 

God bless you for your support! 

 

 

Melissa M. Jansen

Executive Director 

 

   

Help Prevent Homelessness Through a Walkathon!

WFCM is seeking church groups, schools, local clubs and businesses to participate with us in Fannie Mae "Help the Homeless" walks this fall. Hosting a community walk involves:   

• setting up a date between now and November 6,
• planning a route and
• recruiting walkers! 

Every tax-deductible registration fee will help WFCM make a difference in the lives of families in crisis. The "walk" could instead be a run, a bike-a-thon or most any physical activity the host group desires. Registrants are given commemorative t-shirts and will join in a 30-minute educational presentation given by WFCM to raise awareness of how to help those at risk of homelessness in our community.  

 

To learn more and get involved in this opportunity, please contact Terri Kelly, WFCM Community Liaison.   

 

 

 

 

4th Annual Fellowship Dinner

Friday, October 14, 2011

Register Online HERE!

Praise and Thanksgiving!

• We are thankful for our large groups who continue to extend support...to BB&T, who provided food, gas cards & volunteers; to Fairfax Church of Christ, who painted an office & hallway and volunteered in the Pantry & Thrift Store; to Kingston Church of Christ Youth Group who drove all the way from Tennessee and extended their helping hands in the Thrift Store!  
• We are so very thankful for ALL our other 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 that more clients will make use of our free financial training and budget counseling.
• We pray for all staff, board and volunteers' health, families and walk with God.
• We continue to pray for all who are suffering physically, emotionally and/or financially.       

MOST URGENT Volunteer Needs 

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

For a printable flyer of these needs, please click HERE!

(Chantilly Office)
 
ONE-DAY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

There are one-day and short-term volunteer opportunities in our Thrift Store for groups (i.e., church, corporate) and for students to fulfill academic requirements.

On August 3 and September 7--Wednesdays--from 9:00am to 12:00pm--we are in need of 4-6 strong individuals to help receive and shelve cases of USDA food.

FOOD PANTRY VOLUNTEERS

Tuesday pick up volunteer from Costco - 9:00-9:30am.

Wednesday stocker from 10:00am to 12:00pm.

Baggers needed Mondays, Tuesdays and 1st & 3rd Thursdays from 11:00am to
2:30pm.

THRIFT STORE VOLUNTEERS

Regular weekly volunteers needed Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:00am to 6:00pm.

Regular weekly volunteer needed Thursdays from 1:00pm to 6:00pm.

Regular weekly volunteers needed Saturdays from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Furniture Ministry

One volunteer needed to help move furniture that will be given to clients in need.

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

Most Urgent Food Pantry Needs 

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

Click HERE for printable shopping lists for you and two friends!

Food/Beverages

• Jelly or Jam
• Spaghetti Sauce
• Dry Spaghetti/Pasta 
• Canned Meats
• Canned Fruit
• Canned Spaghetti 
• Canned Vegetables (Except Green Beans) 
• Pancake Mix 
• Pancake Syrup
• Cereal       

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

• Deodorant
• Toilet Paper        

Hunger Doesn't Take a Vacation!

 

WFCM distributes food year-round, not just on the holidays. Our food pantry shelves are especially bare throughout the summer months...  

  

We need YOUR help so we can continue helping feed families who need our assistance this summer!

 

HOW?

 

Consider fasting and then making a donation of what that meal would have cost OR donate food to the WFCM Food Pantry at 13981 Metrotech Drive in Chantilly, VA. Checks to WFCM can be hand-delivered to the WFCM Food Pantry in Chantilly or mailed to us at PO Box 220802, Chantilly, VA 20153.

 

If interested in organizing a Food Drive on our behalf, please FIRST contact Cindy Nichols, our Food Pantry Manager, to coordinate so she can ensure we are adequately staffed to receive your generous gifts.   

 

Thank you! 

Most Urgent Thrift Store Needs

Our current most pressing needs are the donation of furniture, as well as school supplies and new clothes for children, all for re-sale in our Thrift Store.

 

Thank you and God bless you!

 

Thrift Store Sales Calendar

There are some excellent sales this summer.  Stop in and see us...you can always find a great deal at the WFCM Thrift Store!  Here is the sales calendar for the month of AUGUST (which is also on our website):