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.

Thank you to the many organizations supporting the South Lakes High School Food Pantry
The SLHS Pantry began operating out of the Fellowship Hall when schools closed in March 2020. Since April 1, the pantry has collected161,641 pounds of food to distribute to our neighbors in need.

The pantry and Good Shepherd would like to thank the community for the overwhelming support and love they have shown during a truly difficult time for so many. Along with individual donations, many organizations and groups supported this effort. We’d like to thank Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, A Simple Gesture, The Church of Latter Day Saints, Restoration Church, Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, numerous Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, Kensington Retirement Community, BRAWS, Food for Neighbors, Herndon Farmer’s Market, Target, DevTec, Custom Ink, SLHS Entrepreneurship Club Podseedtivity Team, Herndon Masonic Lodge, Cornerstones, Government CIO Helping Hungry Kids, Century 21, Lake Anne Brew House, Floris United Methodist Church and numerous neighborhood food drives. In addition to the wonderful donations, well over 150 volunteers have helped with sorting, packing, driving and distribution to the South Lakes High School families and the pyramid of schools that feed into it.

Thank you for your support and partnership to undertake this incredible service to others. 

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 Vanderhoof to 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

The needs of our community have doubled and we are now passing out close to 6,000 pounds of food each week. The pantry is grateful for the support of the congregation and the community and would not be able to continue to meet the needs of our neighbors without your help.

URGENT NEEDS: Check News and Announcements (on the weekly worship page) for an updated list of urgent needs each week.

Volunteers needed: Looking for a way to help the community and have some in person contact? Try volunteering for the pantry! Volunteers needed for pantry collections and drivers needed to transport packed bags to South Lakes High School. Contact Holly Vanderhoof at holly@gslcva.org if you are able to help.

North County Hypothermia Shelter Meals. The North County Hypothermia Prevention program (NCHP), operated by Cornerstones, is one of three hypothermia prevention sites in Fairfax County that prevents weather-induced illness and loss of life among unsheltered homeless adult men and women in our community. Unsheltered homeless people are those who, whether by choice or by lack of shelter space, live outdoors, in cars, or in other places unsuitable for human habitation. Can you volunteer to help?

Because of COVID restrictions no volunteers will be allowed to stay to serve. Food should be delivered hot and in disposable containers, along with all the napkins, plates, cups, and plastic utensils needed for the evening. Sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/yy65x7ar

The Closet of Greater Herndon. The Closet is now using SignUpGenius to schedule volunteers for specific times and jobs.  Please go to SignUpGenius for The Closetto see when and how you can best provide service to The Closet.  If have not volunteered previously, you will be asked to complete a short volunteer application on your first time. 

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