By Marion Brunken

Alexandria, VA – ALIVE! distributes 30,000 pounds of food at one Saturday distribution site, and the number of families needing groceries is still too high. Too many families are standing in line to pick up groceries, and it takes a lot of resources to fulfill their needs.

Community food drives are essential to ALIVE!’s ability to keep costs down during the year and serve more people in need. The Food4ALX food drive in July will help increase inventory and reduce food purchasing costs.

Volunteer Alexandria made the food drive an annual event because donation levels are at their lowest in the summer, but the need remains high. It is also the catalyst for individuals, groups, businesses, and the community who want to find a way to help. Civic engagement also provides social connections, decreases loneliness, and is good for our mental health.

Our goal this year is to collect 30,000 pounds of food for 2,000 area families. Your support is needed!

Please ONLY donate one or more of these items:

• Canned meat and fish
• Canned fruits and vegetables
• Oil in plastic bottles
• Peanut butter in plastic jars
• Ready-to-eat kids’ meals (non-perishable)

“United Bank believes in giving back and doing our part to support the communities we serve. We are proud that Paige Fawehinmi is passionate about helping those in need and doing her part to make a difference in the Alexandria community by participating in Volunteer Alexandria’s Food Drive. In addition, Paige Fawehinmi has served on the board of Volunteer Alexandria for the past year. United Bank fully supports Paige and the agency in furthering their mission to build a better community by inspiring and mobilizing people to volunteer.  What a tremendous partnership to make a difference together!” LeVar Crooms, Marketing President, United Bank

Please visit VolunteerAlexandria.org/food for a complete list and the addresses of Drop Off places.

Become a supporter like United Bank and donate at volunteeralexandria.org or scan the QR code.

Did you know?

Youth Depression and Attempted Suicide Rates have increased by 14.8% over the last decade. One in three female students and one in five male students report feeling frequently depressed or have attempted suicide in 2022. (City of Alexandria, Children and Youth Community Plan Report Card).

Volunteer Alexandria (VolALX) is the premier organization in Alexandria, connecting people to service and mobilizing thousands of residents and local businesses to get involved in the community. We engage middle and high school students in service-learning opportunities, providing them with social connections to peers and reducing loneliness and isolation.

Volunteering enables children to build and strengthen empathy and compassion while learning about issues other Alexandrians face. Our projects include being outside, walking the trails to pick up trash and removing invasive species, and other hands-on activities. Being with others and doing something for someone else can be good for our mental health.

Engagement Opportunities   

Check out these volunteer opportunities, compiled by Volunteer Alexandria (VolALX) – YOUR connection to helping others! Register online at VolunteerAlexandria.org or scan the QR code.

Service-Learning for Middle and High School Students — Service learning program in Alexandria! “It really opened my eyes about the problems in Alexandria,” says a program attendee after her three-day experience. This FREE program for youth is focused on community engagement. Participants learn more about social issues facing Alexandrians and how nonprofits address these issues, earning direct service hours and service-learning hours.

Teach English to Refugees this Summer! — Teach English and literacy training to adult immigrants virtually or in person for 1 – 3 hours a week for six weeks—no teaching experience required. Training will be provided.

Help Manage Book Sales at Beatley Library — The Friends of Beatley Central Library is looking for someone to assist with planning and managing semi-annual book sales.

Translate Delicious Recipes to Amharic — Translate a cookbook from English to Amharic for residents in Housing Alexandria complexes. The cookbook was compiled by residents of the City of Alexandria.

Tutor Refugee Students this Summer — Help give Afghan refugees a fresh start by providing basic literacy instruction to middle and high school students this summer. NOVA Raft is looking for volunteers to assist with English, math, or history instruction on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays.

ICYMI: Enrollment for Service-Learning Program for Middle and High School Students Is OPEN NOW