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LINK Churches to Feed Thousands During Holidays
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. [Hebrews 13:16 NIV]
LINK Churches to Feed Thousands
Hundreds Needed to Volunteer
Pray for God's Grace and Outpouring of Community Support
By Lisa Lombardozzi
LINK Program Coordinator
Greetings from the LINK organization! LINK is a volunteer emergency support organization founded in 1972 and comprised of 14 Churches, Baptist, Brethren, Catholic, Episcopal, Fellowship, Lutheran, Methodist and Presbyterian. In 2008, LINK spent less than $4,000.00 on operating expenses. We retain no paid employees, have no office and own no vehicles, yet we touch the lives of 6,000 people each year.
All Volunteer LINK seeks assistance from Loudoun, Fairfax Counties, townships, public schools, civic organizations, churches and local businesses.
As the weather begins to cool, the plans for the LINK Holiday Basket program are kicking into full gear. The 2008 Holiday Basket program served over 5,800 individuals, 60,000 pounds of food was collected, 1,150 coats were distributed, 3,200 toys were provided to children, 1,200 pounds of deer meat was donated, and over 500 volunteers helped make it all happen. LINK has decided to increase the number of families it will help by almost 20% due to the large number of individuals needing assistance. Although so many folks seem to be experiencing hard times, we anticipate God’s grace and the community outpouring that we saw last year to help us support this year’s effort.
Alcoa and Lockheed Martin Volunteers - photo Marinda P. Wong
500 volunteers are needed to collect and pre-stage the food and clothes at the four area Churches. Volunteers coordinate the whole event, contacting schools and social workers, comparing recipient lists with other agencies, scheduling guest appointments, managing the ever changing volunteer shifts, staffing the guest registration desk and providing Spanish translators. Volunteers work with the school listing, maintain the web site and the data collection process. Volunteers manage the task of getting packers, bags, drivers, addresses, and families all matched together and ensure there is breakfast and lunch at the break rooms. Other volunteers handle the grocery gift cards. Food coordinators field all the phone calls and email requests. The Boy Scouts and their leaders provide tons of food. The Girl Scouts coordinate the packing and sorting of the groceries and deliver food also. Please ask your peers and children (8 years and older) to come out and participate in these very empowering, emotional and gratifying Thanksgiving and Christmas event experiences.
LINK is currently accepting clients for the Holiday Basket program through our phone number at (703) 437-4409. Clients will receive a return phone call to get the necessary information. Families who live in Herndon, Sterling or Ashburn are qualified to receive assistance. As in 2008, the need for volunteers is great. Volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks – picking up food donations, coordinating food/coat/toy drives, helping sort food, and help on the distribution dates.
Food Distribution at Trinity Presbyterian - photo Justin Letendre
This year, the Thanksgiving Holiday Basket program will occur on Saturday, November 21st from 8 am – 2 pm at Christ the Redeemer Church, Trinity Presbyterian Church and Sterling United Methodist Church.
Donations Needed
Food – Donations of non-perishable food can be dropped off during the sorting hours listed below at either Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church or Trinity Presbyterian Church.
Coats – Donations of new or gently-used winter coats, scarves, mittens, hats can be dropped off at Sterling United Methodist Church from Nov. 15th – 20th, 8:30 am – 8:30 pm and Nov. 21st, 8:30 am – 1 pm.
Volunteers Needed – To volunteer, call LINK at 703-437-4409 or send an email (preferable) to Diana@hamiltongroup.com.
Long Line at Christ the Redeemer Catholic - photo Marinda P. Wong
November Volunteer Dates & Hours
Monday, Nov. 16 – Sorting from 9 am – 12 pm; 7 pm – 9 pm at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church and Trinity Presbyterian Church
Tuesday, Nov. 17 – closed Wednesday,
Nov. 18 – closed Thursday,
Nov. 19 - Sorting from 9 am – 12 pm; 7 pm – 9 pm at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church and Trinity Presbyterian Church
Friday, Nov. 20 – Sorting from 9 am until finished at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church and Trinity Presbyterian Church Saturday,
Nov. 21 – Volunteers to help re-stock food, assist families, act as translators, and clean-up, 7:30 am – 4 pm at Christ the Redeemer Church and Trinity Presbyterian Church
Drivers to help deliver food to people who are home-bound, 9 am – 12 pm at Trinity Presbyterian Church
Volunteers are also needed to pick up food donations from schools located in Herndon and Sterling area and drop it off at either Christ the Redeemer or Trinity Presbyterian between Monday, Nov. 16 and Thursday, Nov. 19.
Note: More information on the December 19 Christmas Holiday Basket program at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church, Trinity Presbyterian Church and Herndon United Methodist Church will be forthcoming.
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