When In Need...
Local charities take on the task of providing necessities in a down economy.
While most of us will have three meals today and a warm bed to call our own, many within our area are finding that the American dream of having it all is slowly but surely slipping through their grasp.
According to the Virginia Employment Commission, unemployment rates are up to 5.4% in 2010 versus 4.6% in 2009, leaving it obvious as to why more people are making monthly (and sometimes weekly) visits to local food pantries as well as waiting in line for an opening at local homeless shelters.
In Northern Virginia, more than 217,000 people are at risk of hunger; in Fairfax County, one in six children under the age of 18 are at risk of going to bed with an empty stomach – all without hope that tomorrow will bring a new chance to have three regular meals to nourish them.
Although our articles are not meant to be written in the first person, this story struck a chord in me that I cannot relate completely without telling you what I witnessed. So, with an opportunity to visit a local food pantry to witness what it was really like, I bundled myself up and braved the cold. The hours of the food pantry I visited were from 10:30 a.m. to 1noon. It was a chilly 28 degrees at 9:00 a.m.that Saturday morning as the lines were already beginning to form. By 10:30, the lines were 20 people deep and three rows across. Men, women and children stood in the cold to secure food for their families.
I was amazed at the friendliness of most people. The majority of the recipients were Hispanic; many were African American and a few were Caucasian.
The people who ran this organization were kind, considerate and freezing alongside those who were standing in line to receive their groceries. Two men and one elderly woman sat at the table filling out the intake forms. Both men spoke fluent Spanish and were overtly joyful. The woman at the table was a sweet little grandma who could probably make anyone smile.
At one point, before the lines opened, the charity distributed bananas for the hungry crowd to eat while waiting. Shortly after that, several workers brought out a grocery cart of give-away items that people could walk up and grab something then add it to what they would take home in groceries. While almost all of the food pantry recipients who decided to check out the grocery cart took only one item, I was saddened and frustrated to find one woman grabbing armfuls of items and then boasting how she had hit the jackpot…while others left the cart empty handed. Sadly this was one of just a small handful of Caucasian people in the line. I found myself at that point embarrassed to be Caucasian. Although I'm fairly sure that her behavior was not typical of food pantry recipients, it still bothered me. Perhaps that woman knew the ropes and had done this many times before, thus ensuring that she would be the kid on the playground with the most toys.
My experience was not all bad, but I did see how humbling it could be to have to look for a handout. Through my very broken Spanish, I was able to speak with a few people in line. Edgar Rodriguez turned to me and said, "You don't belong here, you should be at the front of the line". I simply replied with "no, thank you – I just want to talk to people." He smiled as we continued to chit chat about the cold and where he was originally from.
Maria Gonzalez, a mom of a rambunctious three year old boy, said, "My husband has been looking for work, he does construction, but no one is hiring lately. He waits at Home Depot all day, but no one has had work for a while."
Even though this woman had a need, offered me the opportunity to cut in line in front of her. It's difficult to watch people who are hurting, but refreshing to know that despite their need, they can be kind, considerate and even helpful. Personally, I wish more people were that way.
This article would be incomplete if I neglected to mention locations where people can go for help with food or shelter.
Columbia Center for Missions
301 North Washington St
Falls Church, VA 22046
(703) 534-5700
Languages spoken: English, Spanish, Korean, Russian and Vietnamese
Service area: Alexandria City, Arlington County, Fairfax City, Fairfax County, Falls Church City, Loudoun County, Manassas City, Manassas Park City and Prince William County
Hours: Saturday 9:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Requirements: You must come in person and fill out a simple application.
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries
(address upon calling organization)
(703) 988-9655
Languages spoken: English, Spanish
Service area: Fairfax County
Hours: Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Requirements: You must phone ahead and set up an intake appointment. You are eligible for this service if you live in one of the following zip codes: 20120, 20121, 20122, 20124, 20151, 22033, 22039. You must bring in a drivers license showing your residency within one of these zip codes.
Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington
1426 Ninth St NW, 2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 234-6303
Languages spoken: English
Service area: Alexandria City, Arlington County, Burkeville, DC-Washington, Fairfax City, Fairfax County, Falls Church City, Herndon, Leesburg, Loudoun County, Manassas City, Manassas Park City, Middleburg, NortherVirginia, Prince William County, Purcellville, Quantico, Round Hill, Vienna, Woodbridge City
Hours: Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Requirements: For service providers and others helping persons in need
United Community Ministries
7511 Fordson Road
Alexandria, VA, 22306
(703) 768-4788
Languages spoken: English, Spanish
Service area: Fairfax County
Hours: 9:00 a.m.- 5:45 p.m.
Salvation Army, Fairfax County
4915 Ox Road
Fairfax, VA
(703) 385-6192
Languages spoken: English
Service area: Alexandria City, Fairfax City, Fairfax County, Falls Church City
Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Requirements: You must live in Fairfax County, City of Fairfax, Falls Church residents. There is an income limit.
Vienna Committee for Helping Others
PO Box 233
Vienna, VA
(703) 281-7614
Languages spoken: English
Service area: Fairfax County
Hours: Please call and leave a message.
Requirements: Must be a resident of Vienna, Oakton, Dunn Loring, or Merrifield
Elaine Gleason, the intake & assessment manager at the Embry Rucker Community Shelter in Reston, was quite helpful with the following information on their shelter programs stating ,"(in our)Regular Progam: We currently have 8 female beds in the shelter and all our filled on a first come, first service basis. I suggest calling multiple times a day to try to access bed space. You may call the front desk at 703.437.1975 and anyone who answers the phone can answer your questions about bed space. Individuals in the regular program have access to a case manager and are eligible to every resource offered by the shelter. The typical length of stay for individuals in the regular program is between 30-60 days."
Not all programs run year-round. In fact, the Overflow Program is a winter only program. "This program consists of an extra 12 cots which are brought into the shelter. Individuals in the overflow program don't have access to a case manager. They may enter the shelter at 5:00pm and they must exit the shelter at 8:00am. Individuals in the overflow program may not stay in the shelter during the day. This program is also filled on a first come, first serve basis."
To find out more about the Embry Rucker Community shelter, please visit the link below.
In addition to the Embry Rucker Community Shelter, the Fairfax County Government's website states that there are several places to turn to within the county if you or someone you know is facing homelessness.
Your first point of contact should be with the Human Services Coordinated Services Planning. They can be reached Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at (703) 222-0880. They will help direct you to the proper organization to assist in your need.
The following shelters offer a safe stay for families or single people with children.
Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter (Fairfax)
13000 Lee Highway
Fairfax, VA 22030
571-522-6800
http://www.shelterhouse.org/Programs/Katherine-K.-Hanley-Family-Shelter.html
Embry Rucker Community Shelter (Reston)
11975 Bowman Towne Drive
Reston, VA 20190
703-437-1975
http://www.restoninterfaith.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=15288
Mondloch House (Richmond Highway - Alexandria)
3516 Lockheed Boulevard
Alexandria, VA 22306
703-768-3400.
Shelter House (Falls Church)
3080 Patrick Henry Drive
Falls Church, VA 22044
703-536-2155
http://www.shelterhouse.org/Programs/Katherine-K.-Hanley-Family-Shelter.html
For individuals without children, please contact the following locations for availability.
Bailey's Crossroads Community Shelter
3525 Moncure Avenue
Bailey's Crossroads, VA 22041
703-820-7621
http://72.32.194.107/Services/HomelessServices/BaileysCrossroadsShelter/tabid/3364/Default.aspx
Eleanor U. Kennedy Shelter (Richmond Highway – Fort Belvoir)
9155 Richmond Highway
Fort Belvoir, VA 22060
703-799-0200
Embry Rucker Community Shelter (Reston)
11975 Bowman Towne Drive
Reston, VA 20190
703-437-1975
http://www.restoninterfaith.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=15288
If you or anyone you know could use a little extra help this winter with food or shelter, please contact the appropriate location above.
