As a single mom, Ana works two jobs — one as a security officer at a local high school and another at Dulles Airport. Even with one full-time and one part-time job, every paycheck falls short after covering rent, electricity, and water. On top of caring for her 15-year-old son, Ana also looks after her mother and often babysits her 2-year-old grandson. Food insecurity is a year-round challenge that impacts her whole family.
The summer months bring an extra strain when her son is out of school. “The food finishes faster because he don’t get food (at school). All day long it’s just eat and eat and eat,” Ana explained. Sometimes she has to return to the Hunger Resource Center (HRC) for additional help. “Sometimes I have to go back to the HRC and ask for a little more food because I run out before my next appointment. And they give it to me! The people there understand when you don’t have food at home.”
For Ana, the HRC is more than a place to pick up groceries — it’s a place where she feels known, respected, and supported. “They all know me! They say hi and ask me how I’m doing.” Her son even gets excited when she tells him she’s going. He hands her a list of his favorites, with meat — especially salmon — at the top.
Before finding the HRC, Ana would spend at least $300 each grocery trip and still fall short. Now, she begins each month there, making sure her family’s needs are met before she shops for anything extra. “(The HRC) makes me feel so happy. I like my family to have food. I love it! I can make sure my son has something to eat and feed my mom. I thank you, God, for helping me to find that place (the HRC). 100% it helps me.”
Ana is only one of the nearly 450 families the HRC helps every month. Together, those visits add up to approximately 480,000 pounds of food distributed each each year to fill tables and ease worries across Northern Virginia.
This kind of support is possible because of NVFS and the generosity of donors who keep the HRC shelves full. Right now, our Fall Food Drive is stocking up for the busy months ahead. Join our food drive or learn how to host your own that can roll up to NVFS’ efforts to feed our community. The HRC accepts non-perishable items all year long — and we can also take meat, dairy, and fresh produce to ensure families like Ana’s have the nourishing food they need to thrive.