Great Falls teenagers fill the first of four cars with items collected for the Spring Break Food Drive. Photo contributed
Once again, the kindness of the community made a difference by helping those in need. For the first time, the Wish List Project called on their “Angels” to coordinate a Spring Break Food Drive. They collected non-perishable items and grocery gift cards to distribute to needy families in the community. Without hesitation, volunteers gathered and delivered four carloads of food and more than $1,000 in grocery gift cards to families across the county. The Food Drive was a fulfilling experience for all parties involved, as one donor put it, "Can’t let children go hungry. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to help!”
Over Spring Break, hundreds of children in Fairfax County struggle to find food to eat. These students receive breakfast and lunch at school and additional weekend supplements through the "Backpack Program.” Therefore, the week break from school can leave students without adequate meals. Wish List Project coordinators, Christine Shumadine and Lissa Perez, worked with the staff at Hutchison and Buzz Aldrin elementary schools and Second Story Shelter to help those students most affected.
For 18 years, the Wish List Project has provided individual gifts from a wish list to individuals and families during the holidays. With the desire to do more, in 2017 the group collected 75 food baskets to provide a Thanksgiving meal to families who cannot afford an elaborate meal. With the great success of these additional volunteer projects, the Wish List Project is dedicated to finding new ways to service to the community. Coming up on the horizon, the Wish List Project will coordinate an event in June to benefit our local homeless and domestic abuse shelters with the collection of toiletries, towels, washcloths, twin sheets, socks, underwear, undershirts, laundry supplies, laundry baskets and more. To get involved in this project, contact coordinator Christine Shumadine at cshumadine@gmail.com.