Dear Neighbor,

We are all, as a region and as a country, feeling the impact of this pandemic. We will soon hit 800,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 nationwide, and we can only guess how many more have gone untested and uncounted. While our collective health must remain our top priority, the economic consequences of the situation have been devastating and cannot be ignored.

Economically, the fallout from the outbreak has been unprecedented in its speed and magnitude. In total, 22 million Americans are now out of work, including nearly 400,000 in our area. According to the latest report, 177,450 people in our region filed for unemployment in a single week. As these shocking figures continue to grow, so too will the number of people in our community struggling to put food on the table for themselves and their families. 

There are dozens of hunger assistance organizations in our area who are working tirelessly to keep all Northern Virginians healthy. But demand has skyrocketed in the wake of this crisis, and their resources are severely strained.

For example, Capital Area Food Bank, which operates a vast network of partner organizations across our region, is experiencing a threefold increase in service in our area, having provided meals for 120,000 Northern Virginians this month alone. They have spent what they normally spend in a year in just three weeks.

Northern Virginia Family Service is currently serving 40,000 people across our region every day, and demand for their assistance continues to increase. The Community Feeding Taskforce, coordinated by ACTS and the Prince William County Emergency Management Office, supports 43 food distribution partners who are serving 5,000 people every week. Again, that number continues to rise.

I’ve heard from many of you who are looking for ways to help your neighbors in need. If you're interested in learning more, you'll find details about hunger assistance efforts in our community here:

CLICK HERE for information about Fairfax County food banks and pantries.

CLICK HERE for information about Prince William County food banks and pantries. Additionally, ACTS has established a Food Hotline for the Prince William area: 703-794-4668.

You can also visit my website for or more information about hunger assistance programs and other local, state, and federal resources.

Please continue to take care of yourselves and each other, and remember that my office is here to help. Be sure to visit the COVID-19 page on my website for more information and resources. If you have any questions or concerns, or if you need assistance, please don't hesitate to call us at (703) 256-3071.

Sincerely,

Gerald E. Connolly