FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 1, 2021

ARLINGTON, Va. - Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington is in the midst of its “Fall Harvest Food Drive,” a massive food donation drive aimed at securing more than 100,000 pounds of food by the end of the month. The undertaking, which began in October and continues through November, is in anticipation of a busy holiday season and winter, particularly with food prices on the rise. More than 40 parishes, schools, and Catholic civic groups have either participated in or are scheduled to host a food drive. For a full list of donation events and dates in November, please visit here.

“Our need for food donations is slightly above where it was last year during the height of the pandemic. This is particularly concerning given the continued rise in the cost of food, which is hitting those in need very hard,” said Cathy Hassinger, Director of Community Services, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington. “We are asking people to consider donating food now so we are prepared for the influx of families coming to the food pantries we supply in the coming weeks, especially as we head into the holidays and colder months.”

Many of the food collection sites offer drive-by drop-offs of food. Items in need include non-perishables such as canned fruits and vegetables, boxed or bagged cereal, rice and pasta, pasta sauce, cooking oil, bread, non-refrigerated juice, peanut butter, and canned chicken or fish, such as tuna or salmon. Additionally, the St. Lucy Food Project, the arm of Catholic Charities which collects and distributes the food, is asking for individually sized canned meats, mac & cheese, shelf-stable milk, and Chef Boyardee for its “Students on the Move” program, which provides take-home packages to school kids who otherwise would go hungry.

Beginning in spring 2020, Catholic Charities' pantries and parish and partner pantries experienced a dramatic increase in the amount of food needed because of the rising economic toll of the coronavirus on families. Staff and volunteers continue to practice social distancing and wear masks at all sites.

Donations can also be made to the St. Lucy Food Project warehouse, 8426-28 Kao Circle in Manassas, at a “no contact” secure bin 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To donate online, please visit https://secure.ccda.net/Give/Give/Donate/Giving.aspx. To learn more about ways to donate food throughout the Diocese, visit https://www.ccda.net/give-help/donate-and-distribute-food/.

All donations will be distributed through the St. Lucy Food Project which provides food to the community through three Catholic Charities pantries-Loaves and Fishes in Front Royal, Christ House in Alexandria, and the Loudoun Regional Office in Sterling-as well as more than 80 parish, interfaith, community and government pantries within the Diocese.

For more information, contact Lori Sikra, Outreach Specialist, St. Lucy Food Project, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington at lori.sikra@ccda.net.   

Interested media, please contact Amber Roseboom, Director of Media Relations, Catholic Diocese of Arlington, at 571-215-8731 or Amber.Roseboom@arlingtondiocese.org.

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Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington serves the poor and vulnerable who live within the 21 counties and seven cities of the Diocese of Arlington, which is led by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge. Catholic Charities provides food for the hungry, a free medical clinic for adults including prenatal care, adoption services, transformational housing for the homeless, mental health counseling, emergency financial assistance, prison ministry, workforce development, and immigration and refugee services. Catholic Charities serves all, regardless of faith. www.ccda.net.