McLean Mom Plans Meal Packing Efforts During Pandemic

MCLEAN, VA — At one time, McLean resident Alicia McKenzie and her husband had relied on government assistance. Now, she says they "don't take anything for granted" and want to help others. McKenzie, through her online fitness program LiftLikeAMother Amplify, is running food drives to help communities in need around the Northern Virginia area.

A former USAW and Crossfit athlete, McKenzie ran a Crossfit gym for five years before developing her online-based business. Now a mom of four children, she drew inspiration for the name LiftLikeAMother from time as an athlete balancing new children with workouts at the gym.

Aside from offering a fitness program based online, LiftLikeAMother Amplify runs several initiatives each year to help the community. One of these initiatives has involved providing meals to families in need over the years. The upcoming meal packing initiative will be the second in 2020. It's especially timely as families struggle to support themselves during the uncertain times of the pandemic.

"I think it blows my mind how the basic necessities are so scarce in Fairfax County," she told McLean Patch, noting how the county is known as a wealthy place. "It's disheartening, but at the same time we have the ability to help."

The latest meal packing effort will kick off on Friday, Sept. 18 and run through Sept. 26. LiftLikeAMother Amplify works with The Outreach Program to receive meal packing supplies. Some examples of meals include oatmeal and rice and beans, and all come with vitamin packets.

The work starts with delivering supplies to families who volunteered to pack boxes from their homes. Around 15 families helped in the last meal packing effort, and 10 families are helping this time around. Once the meals are packed, her team will deliver the meals to a local shelter.

McKenzie's goal for the entire year is packing 50,000 meals and raising $10,000 for the Northern Virginia area.

"I am a big dreamer," she said. "I feel if I seek it out, it's going to happen."

Her next big initiative will involve Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, and the next food packing effort will likely happen in 2021. Anyone interested in helping with an outreach effort can sign up for future updates from LiftLikeAMother. Donations can be made to The Outreach Program fundraiser.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.