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Community Corner

Kiwanis Food Drive for UCM: Hollin Hall Safeway Sat. 4/26

Kiwanis Food Drive for UCM: Hollin Hall Safeway Sat. 4/26

The Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club is hosting another Food Drive to help stock UCM's client-choice Food Pantry:

  Mt. Vernon Kiwanis Club  - Food Drive for UCM

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  Hollin Hall Safeway -   7900 Fort Hunt Road

  Saturday, April 26

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  9 am - 5 pm

All non-perishable food & toiletry items welcome, but most needed are "heart healthy" items including:

  • Canned meat and fish
  • Low-salt canned vegetables and fruit
  • Low-salt canned soups
  • Whole grain pasta and rice
  • Low-sugar cereal
  • Tomato sauce
  • Your plastic grocery and reusable bags are always welcome too!

    Your ongoing donations and support make a big difference to local families who struggle with hunger and who depend on UCM's Food Pantry.  Across Fairfax County, more than 76,000 people are considered food insecure; more than 40% are children.  Every week day, an average 80 - 100 families struggling to make ends meet receive supplemental groceries at UCM's Food Pantry.  The money they do not spend on food frees up limited resources to pay utility bills and rent.

    Every weekday, an average of 80 - 100 struggling families visit and depend on UCM's Food Pantry to make ends meet.  While people come to UCM for help with practical needs, they receive much more than just food or financial assistance.  UCM's programs and services change lives for the better.

     “People who need help are why UCM exists and why we serve,” explains UCM Executive Director Shirley Marshall.  “It is thanks to our wonderful supporters, donors, and volunteers that we can prevent homelessness and help low-income families move on to success. The more caring people join us at the heart of community, the more people in need can be served and can thrive.”

    UCM is grateful to the Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club for  their ongoing support for our Basic Needs programs, Bryant Early Learning Center, and our Sacramento and Creekside Village Community Centers.

    Click here to learn more about UCM's programs and how you can help to donate - volunteer - advocate to help neighbors in need to grow and thrive!

    * * * * *

    United Community Ministries of Alexandria VA (www.ucmagency.org) provides a vital connection between people in need and the people committed to helping them thrive.  UCM is celebrating its 45th anniversary of service to the community during 2014.  UCM services include:

    • Immediate Help.  For families and individuals in crisis, UCM provides food, financial aid, and counseling.
    • Education and Employment.  Services such as job training and coaching, full-day early care and learning, ESL and citizenship classes, and parental education help people achieve stability.
    • Community Engagement.  UCM’s neighborhood centers, with after-school programs and leadership training, engage youth and families in broader social networks for success.

    Last fiscal year, thanks to generous community support, in south Fairfax County UCM provided life-changing assistance to 4,392 families.

    Join UCM at the heart of community! www.ucmagency.org

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