NVFS Volunteer Provides Meals to Neighbors in Need in Our Community
Homeless Shelter
How an NVFS volunteer promotes community stewardship by giving back to local homeless shelters
After attending the Million Women March in 1997, Michelle Halmon’s spark for giving back was ignited and her passion for making a difference in her community was born. After attending the Women’s March in 2017, she knew it was time to make a change.
“I wasn’t sure how I could make a difference,” said Halmon. “But I knew I wanted to do something.”
During her morning commute, Halmon witnessed men, women and children experiencing homelessness. In an effort to show them that they are our valued neighbors no matter what they may be going through, she decided to dedicate a portion of her life to providing meals for those in need.
“I figured this is my way to show them that they are not forgotten,” shared Halmon.
Michelle has been volunteering with Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) since January 2017 preparing and serving monthly meals to both the SERVE Family Shelter and Hilda Barg Homeless Prevention Center. In addition to providing meals to our shelters, Michelle also provides monthly meals to three other shelters in the Northern Virginia area through her organization, Lighten the Load, LLC.
“I provide meals once a month to local shelters using funds raised from different events I host,” Halmon shared.
Halmon believes that everyone should do something positive for our community from time to time. Her approach to volunteering proves that acts of kindness, no matter how small, make positive changes.
”If we just did one good deed each day to better another person, imagine the world we would be in,” said Halmon. “We would live in paradise!”
NVFS is thankful for Michelle’s dedication to serving those in our community experiencing homelessness and for dedicating her life to uplifting our neighbors in need.
“This is my way of strengthening my soul and paving the way to a better tomorrow for everyone,” concluded Halmon.
Thank you, Michelle. People like you help create a better tomorrow for our neighbors in Northern Virginia.
“I’ve met a lot of people through NVFS and it has made me even more aware of the issue of homelessness in our community,” stated Halmon. “[NVFS] is doing a great job assisting those who are in need and helping to guide them back to living independently.”