With a small staff of just 16 dedicated individuals, Our Daily Bread works miracles in serving many of the 76,000 people in Fairfax County living in poverty. This is a year-round challenge and yet, as we enter the season of giving thanks and celebrating with family and friends, there are greater opportunities to consider the needs of those who may be less fortunate than the average Northern Virginian.
Two significant events hosted by Our Daily Bread offer tremendous ways for anyone and everyone to support this worthwhile organization.
The Complete the Circle FoodRaiser is an exciting group effort to gather food for help those needy families. On November 9th from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm, hundreds of community volunteers will assemble to create an Art for the Sky photo and raise awareness about hunger and need throughout the area. In partnership with Food for Others, Our Daily Bread has a target of 1,000 participants, 10,000 pounds of food, and $10,000 to help the needy in Fairfax County.
Students, families, churches, businesses, groups, and individuals of all ages are encouraged to register to participate on the 9th by visiting www.CompleteThe CircleFX.org. An organization can also contact Jennifer Rose at 703 273 8829 or develop@ODBFairfax.org.
Church of the Holy Comforter Congregants Deliver Food to an ODB Client April 2013. Photo by Cory Martin
A second November event is Wine and Wonderment which benefits the Holiday Program. It will be held November 19th from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at 2941 Restaurant in Falls Church. Limited space suggests that registration should be completed right away by visiting ODBFairfax.org.
The Holiday Assistance program provides struggling families with meals and gifts for the children under 18 years of age. During the fall Our Daily Bread strives to support 1000 families in Northern Virginia with donations coming from individuals, families, churches, and businesses. A donation of $25 will sponsor meals for one individual, $50 takes care of a family of 2-3, $75 can help a family of 4-6, and $100 supports a family with seven or more people. ODB suggests $25 per child for gifts which can be best handled through cash or gift cards. A sponsoring group can choose to connect with the family or remain anonymous. For more information about donating, go to www.odbfairfax.org/Holiday.
Our Daily Bread is celebrating their 30th anniversary this year and began as a homeless shelter. A couple of years later it expanded to include a soup kitchen. Now it provides emergency safety net services for low-to-moderate income families throughout Fairfax County. The goal is to help people avoid homelessness by guiding them toward self-sufficiency. It costs $13,000 a year to house one person in a shelter and once in, it is so hard to pull yourself out.
In Scope International packaged and delivered
food to ODB clients Thanksgiving 2013
In 2005, Our Daily Bread added a Financial Literacy component to help folks take better control of their financial situation. Through this program people can create budgets and strive to live within their means. The program includes one-to-one mentoring, classes offered to the public, and a free financial counseling clinic.
Of course even on a budget, unexpected events can occur that can create havoc so Our Daily Bread has a program of Financial Assistance as well. It provides limited one-time support to a family to help with food, rent, or utilities if they are in desperate need and are referred by a social service or church organization. As one client commented, “I want to express my deep gratitude to Our Daily Bread. You recently helped me with a car repair. I needed a new transmission which I could not afford. ODB was able to help with this and I was able to repair the car. Now I’m able to get to work and help my family. Thank you so much!”
Anther vital program is Food Bridge so that families can have enough to eat. ODB prefers food gift cards, especially so that fresh and perishable foods can be purchased, and families with dietary restrictions can obtain the proper foods. Storage space is also minimized. Of course donations of nonperishable food and toiletries are always welcome for those who prefer to give in that manner.
Kiwanis Fairfax Thanksgiving food shopping 11-26-13
Project BRIDGE is a pilot project through which 12 families are supported to provide a solid foundation for success. Working with a mentor throughout the year, a family can receive food assistance, financial help, and are eligible for another $500 to be used toward workforce development such as a class. As Cherie Parker, a Project BRIDGE graduate said, “I learned that I can set goals and stick to a plan. I learned that I can set a budget and live by one.”
The Back to School program assists families in making sure that their children have the proper tools to begin the school year so that they can integrate into the classroom easily.
A child received a bike from an ODB Holiday donor December 2008
With all these programs the staff could easily be overwhelmed if not for the volunteers who see the tremendous benefits to the community. Twelve hundred volunteers help execute the programs of Our Daily Bread which include 30 mentors, 15 instructors, 700 helping with food drives, plus office volunteers and more giving of their time and talent. Additionally the ODB board donates their time and professional expertise.
As one might surmise, even with all the staff and volunteer work, plus the community support through donations of food, money, and more, the need is great and grows larger each year. Won’t you consider donating or increasing your donation to help our neighbors throughout Fairfax County? See you at Fairfax High School on November 9 as we Complete the Circle.
