Since the beginning of the pandemic, our community has stepped up in big ways to help. As we wrap up a year unlike any we’ve experienced before, here are just a few of the amazing ways the local community has come together to ensure no one goes hungry this holiday season and beyond:
Local artists and small businesses inspire gifts for a cause.
The holidays will look different for most of us this year, but local artists and small businesses are helping to keep the magic alive by generously supporting our local neighbors with every purchase, from photographers and illustrators to mask makers to local music artists:
Kids and teens get creative.
Children have come up with some of the most inspiring and creative ways to spread holiday cheer while ensuring that no one misses out on a good meal this season. One donor recently shared with us the beautiful artwork of her daughter, Vivienne, to help remind us all of how important it is to feed our neighbors who are struggling this holiday season. And, sometimes, kids work hard to become donors themselves:
One nine year old was so moved to do something for her neighbors in need that she wrote and illustrated her own short story, Better Together for the Thanksgiving Meal, to teach others the importance of celebrating our differences and how they make us stronger as a whole. Elizabeth sold digital copies of the book and donated the $1,230 she raised to the food bank! To learn more about her book, please visit her website.
Volunteers jump into action.
Since March, the food bank has distributed more than 257,600 emergency boxes of food to adults, seniors, and families across the region, each of which feeds a family of four for up to 5 days. With the rate of food insecurity 50% in our region since the start of the pandemic, the scale of response needed is immense — and we couldn’t do it without our wonderful volunteers. Thousands of people have stepped up selflessly to lend a hand, from corporate groups and politicians to reporters and members of our own Client Leadership Council.
Recently, volunteers these been packing up to 2,500 boxes per day to help neighbors who are facing food insecurity this season and moving into the next year. To become a CAFB volunteer and join thousands of others who are helping get good food to their neighbors during this difficult time and beyond, sign up at volunteer.capitalareafoodbank.org.
Giving Tuesday provides 1.5 million meals!
On December 1st, folks from all over the DMV and the nation poured out their support for the food bank for Giving Tuesday. Thousands of supporters banded together to put over a million meals on the tables of those in need – and doubled their impact while doing it!
Thanks to those who contributed and helped to spread awareness, we were able to meet the match challenge offered by our generous match partners Giant Food, The Cummins-Levenstein Family Foundation, Inc., and David & Naomi Balto.
Neighbors support neighbors – and have fun while doing it.
Whether by attending a drive-in holiday movie or biking for the cause there are safe and fun ways for everyone to get involved. Music lovers are also invited to take part in 9:30 Club’s Annual Holiday Raffle. One man even took his company up on an offer to grow out his beard for a great cause:
Nearly 150 digital fundraisers have kicked off for the food bank since November. Click here to read how you can start your own in 5 easy steps.