Providing Shelter during A Storm

Food For Neighbors (FFN) celebrates the community spirit of the members of Westwood Baptist Church in Springfield, VA. The local congregation generously provided FFN a home base and dedicated volunteers when the nonprofit had to develop new procedures quickly as a result of the pandemic. This allowed FFN to continue its important work of fighting teen food insecurity at Springfield area middle and high schools.

“When COVID-19 shut down the schools in March of 2020, we didn’t know how we would be able to get food to our students who normally received extra food from Food For Neighbors for the weekends,” explained Meg Gollinger, Director of Student Services at Irving Middle School. “Within the first week we were closed, Rev. Bryan Brock called Irving and simply asked, ‘How can we help?’“

Ms. Gollinger, who also serves as the Springfield Area Manager for Food For Neighbors, knew exactly how Westwood Baptist Church could help. She made a big ask for support, and Rev. Brock and his congregation did not hesitate to say “yes”. Church volunteers moved thousands of pounds of food from the Irving Middle School pantry to Westwood, conveniently located next door. Then, for over a year, they collected, stored, sorted, and packed food for the Springfield area. They even helped to distribute the food every week to students and their families.

In recognition of Westwood Baptist’s wonderful support, Karen Joseph, Cofounder of Food For Neighbors, joined Ms. Gollinger in thanking Rev. Brock and key church volunteers, many of whom shared fond memories of serving together. Ms. Joseph then presented the church with a plaque celebrating the partnership.

“Westwood believes its calling is to connect with and serve our community and its families,” shared Rev. Brock. “Partnering with Irving Middle School and Food For Neighbors (FFN) during the pandemic was a natural way for us to live our calling. Food insecurity should not be an issue in our community, and yet we know too many kids are hungry, especially on the weekends and away from school. It has been our joy to work with Irving and FFN and look forward to doing so again in the future.

“Westwood was truly a shelter during a storm,” noted Ms. Joseph. “Thanks to the church’s generous community spirit, Meg and the Springfield area Food For Neighbors team had the home base and volunteer support necessary to continue providing weekend food to Irving, Key, Lewis, Twain, and Edison students for the past fifteen months. This is something truly worth celebrating.”

Food For Neighbors (FFN) currently serves students in 23 schools in Fairfax and Loudoun counties. FFN welcomes partnerships with local businesses and organizations who want to make a difference by providing monetary gifts as well as donations of food, hygiene products, and volunteer time. To learn more about becoming a partner, visit https://www.foodforneighbors.org/partners/ or phone Renee Maxwell at (703) 475-4933.