Community Feeding Task Force Builds Momentum
The Community Feeding Task Force continues to coordinate food distribution during the COVID-19 pandemic. The task force is refining its capabilities and expanding the reach to residents. The task force is a partnership between Prince William County, Action in Community Through Service (ACTS), the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, and the Prince William County Community Foundation.
The task force is set up on a hub-and-spoke model, which is a warehouse that stores food to reach people in need. The warehouse is located at 8621 Breeden Avenue in Manassas, which is the central hub. The task force provides food to 43 charities and other partners across the county serving as distribution sites. In April, the task force distributed over 200,000 pounds of food. The demand for the task force has increased with the number of people out of work constantly growing. Distribution locations are serving nearly 5,000 people every week.
“It’s going through the roof. We’re having a hard time securing food. This is our biggest issue right now. Ordering trucks full of food is anywhere from four weeks to 10 weeks turnaround time. I think the demand has gone up nationwide, and the resources are taken quickly,” said ACTS Development Director Aaron Tolson.
Sysco Virginia has provided three refrigerated trailers with food donations and U.S. Foods has provided weekly donations. Some of the main spokes include: ACTS, SERVE, House of Mercy, Holy Family, Manassas Park Community Center, Grace Life Community Church, Park Valley Church, Dar Alnoor, The House Student Leadership Center, and St. Thomas UMC. Here is a map of the distribution locations: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1OScFwXYb-5S4buobgal99aNNecirfDc7&usp=sharing
Residents willing to donate can drop off items at the warehouse or the nearest food pantry location. Here is a list of items needed:
- Canned vegetables
- Canned fruit
- Canned meats
- Canned sauce
- Canned soup
- Rice
- Dried beans
- Pasta
- Peanut butter
- Jelly
- Honey
- Cooking oil
- Cereal
- Oatmeal
- Produce (canned or fresh)
- Meat (canned or fresh)
- Bread
- Fruit
For more information about the county’s response to COVID-19, visit www.pwcgov.org/COVID19
General COVID-19 Resources
- Governor's Stay at Home Order FAQs
- DIY Cloth Face Coverings
- COVID-19 Disease Basics: What You Need to Know
- Share Facts about COVID-19
- CDC Fact Sheet: What you need to know about COVID-19 (Chinese)(Spanish)
- CDC Fact Sheet: What to do if you are sick with COVID-19 (Chinese)(Spanish)
- CDC COVID-19 Website
- Unemployment Insurance
- Food Pantries
- VDH Business Resources
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