Community Service and COVID-19

This is a time that community service across the area and nation is in full gear with so many more families needing help. Area schools have closed their buildings until further notice, which means that food pantries are no longer able to operate out of the schools. Thankfully several schools are serving grab-and-go meals to students that need them.

South Lakes Food Pantry is operating out of our Fellowship Hall. Food will be delivered to various schools in partnership with school principals to distribute to families. There will be opportunities to help if you are feeling well, but it will be a modified plan for the safety of our volunteers. If you are interested in helping, email Holly Vanderhoofto get up-to-date volunteer needs.

NO CONTACT Donation curbside drop offs:
Mondays 2:00–4:00 p.m.
Wednesdays 10:00 a.m.–noon
Donations may also be shipped to the church:
SLHS Food Pantry, c/o GSLC, 1133 Reston Ave., Herndon, VA 20170

Urgent needs are peanut butter, jelly, canned meat, oatmeal (in canisters), feminine sanitary pads, cereal, bar soap, pasta, rice, dried beans, applesauce, and boxed milk.

Cornerstones Stuff the Bus for Community Safety and Success. Many people in our community must return to work now and do not have personal protective equipment for keeping safe. Parents are still dealing with the loss of educational and enrichment opportunities for their children. Cornerstones continues to work with partners to adjust their programs. Your generous donation today equips our neighbors with the help they need now. Here are details for Cornerstones’ summertime Stuff the Bus fundraiser at Reston National Golf Course, 1875 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE): now through July 31
Backpacks and new school supplies K-12: August 1-31
Make a $5 or more donation when you pay your greens fees or make a purchase at the Reston National gift shop.

Cornerstones Gleaning at the Farmer’s Market – August 1. Good Shepherd volunteers are needed on August 1 to collect food for at the Farmer’s Market. Note these volunteer modifications: Cornerstones is looking for fewer folks, possibly keeping in small family groups of 2, 3, or 4, or other socially related groups that feel safe volunteering together. They are not allowing anyone age 65 or above, and asking anyone who has an elevated risk to self-select out. Volunteers must bring their own gloves and masks. The market master may require anyone entering the market area to have their temperature taken. Other precautions will likely be in place as well. Contact Holly Vanderhoof for full details.

The Closet of Greater Herndon is open and accepting donations. Donation hours: 8 a.m.–3 p.m., Monday-Saturday. Do not drop off donations if you are sick with fever or symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed within the last 14 days. The store in now open for shoppers. Store hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Saturday. Seniors (age 60 and older) will be able to shop 8:30-10 a.m. on Mondays and Thursdays.

Helping Hungry Kids (HHK) has resumed limited operations. HHK is providing 300 weekend grocery packs to Dogwood Elementary. They are not asking for volunteers to pack bags at this time (they are packing with a skeleton crew with safety in mind), but they do need your help. For more information contact Helping Hungry Kids, HHK@corefoundation.org

Embry Rucker Shelter meals needed. A Cornerstones immediate need is to sponsor or provide hot cooked meals for Embry Rucker Community Shelter. The kitchen is temporarily closed and they need meal sponsorship or hot meals delivered ready to serve (similar to what is done at their winter Hypothermia Prevention Shelter). The Shelter’s extra health safety measures have limited the number of folks inside the Shelter, so the number of meals to be provided is much smaller than normal (approximately 60 people per meal). This is a terrific opportunity to help the Shelter and support one of your favorite local restaurants by providing a much needed boost to their respective businesses. What a win-win! Contact Adrian Chadwell at Cornerstones to get on the schedule.