COVID-19 Emergency Response

Dear John,

I’ve been thinking a lot about heroes this week. Healthcare professionals working tirelessly, the people stocking shelves on our now-infrequent trips to the grocery store, the NVFS staff on duty at our homeless shelter and our Hunger Resource Center. The list is long, and it includes all of you who have volunteered with or donated to NVFS to help us meet the escalating need for help. In this time of uncertainty for everyone, your support of us is especially appreciated.

Being a hero means not only responding in the first moments of crisis, but remaining steadfast in all the moments that come after. In some ways, it is easier to console a crying child when they wake from a nightmare then to make them feel safe night after night as they fall asleep. As a community, we must address both the immediate tears and long-term fears of our neighbors. At NVFS, we are committed to being here for our neighbors today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes to recover from this crisis.

Our data on requests for assistance shows people from every city and county in Northern Virginia slipping into crisis. While we have seen a tremendous outpouring of support, our contributions to date only cover one-tenth of the requests for financial assistance we have received so far. If you haven’t given yet and are able to, please consider donating now to our COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund.

The first weeks of the crisis were filled with action—prepping, planning, reacting. Now we are in the middle of the fight, and this is where the hero in us must reach down and strengthen our resolve. We are heartened by your willingness to care for and support local families and children. Please stay safe and healthy.

With gratitude,

P.S. NVFS was included this week in a Washington Post feature about how COVID-19 will exacerbate the socioeconomic gap that exists in our region. Every day we work to mitigate barriers and address the root causes that perpetuate inequities, both through our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and through our advocacy and thought leadership, including this op-ed on maternal health outcomes for African-American women. Check it out.

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO NEEDS HELP?

We stand ready to assist through our COVID-19 Emergency Assistance resource lines and email. If you know of someone who has been directly impacted by COVID-19 and is in need of food or emergency financial assistance, please have them complete an online application (English) (Spanish) for assistance or call our emergency resource line at 571-748-2552.

Food Assistance

Right now, we are seeing a critical need for shelf-stable food.

You can drop off at our SERVE campus in Manassas, or send grocery gift cards to NVFS Headquarters, 10455 White Granite Drive #100, Oakton, VA 22124.

Helpful Links

Amazon WishList

Community Resources

Free Resources for Parents and Caretakers with Children

Volunteer Opportunities

Your support helps fuel our COVID-19 emergency response, as well as ensures our staff can continue to serve our most vulnerable neighbors during this crisis.

A donation today is an investment in the health and welfare of our community in the challenging weeks to come—and beyond. Thank you! 

Thank you to our funding partners for coming together with us and all of our neighbors to tackle this unprecedented challenge.

And the more than 300 friends of NVFS who have
contributed to our COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund to date