Call to Action - October 24, 2023-Fall Events
Greetings, Prince William - Do you hear the rustling of feathers? A faint "Gobble, Gobble" in the distance? Do you detect the odor of pumpkin pie? That can mean only one thing: Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and these food assistance programs can use your help:
- ACTS has kicked off Share the Bounty, their annual Thanksgiving program which provides Thanksgiving meals for their clients! Donations can be dropped off through November 17 at ACTS Hunger Prevention Center, 17958 Dr. David Cline Lane, Dumfries 22026. Please visit https://bit.ly/45JNmKB to view the list of requested items. Volunteers will also be needed, especially small groups of 7 or less. Key volunteer dates are October 25 and November 11. Volunteers will also be needed through November to help sort food and assemble Share the Bounty bags for distribution. What a terrific way to celebrate the season, to make a holiday meal possible for food insecure families! Please email Shirley at SCouteau@actspwc.org to learn more.
- Haymarket Regional Food Pantry has also begun its holiday food drive to help their food insecure clients enjoy a holiday meal! Please visit https://bit.ly/3ZV3rLX for a list of requested foods; deadline for donations is November 1. Donations can be delivered to the food pantry at 7669 Limestone Drive #105, Gainesville 20155. Please call 703.754.5990 for more information.
- Manassas City Public Schools is hosting a food drive to support families in need whose children attend Manassas City schools. Holiday food items such as stuffing mix, canned veggies, instant potatoes, cranberry sauce, etc. are needed. Donations can be brought to the MCPS Central Office, 8700 Centreville Road Suite 200, Manassas 20110 through November 15. Please call 571.377.6096 or email mcowell@mcpsva.org to learn more.
Other opportunities:
- Boxes of Basics has a need for volunteers during November to help assemble boxes of clothing for needy children in our area. They currently have nearly 100 kids waiting on boxes, so help is urgently needed! You'll feel great as you help vulnerable children get the clothing they need to get through the coming cold weather! The November volunteer calendar is up, please visit https://bit.ly/3t6kj6b to sign up.
- Boxes of Basics also has a desperate need for donations of boy's pants in sizes 5T, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12 & 16 and girls long-sleeve tops in sizes 4T, 5T, 6 & 8. If you have these items in good condition, please consider donating them. Items can be brought to their office at 9239 Mike Garcia Drive, Manassas 20109 or you can visit boxesofbasics.org to view a listing of other drop-off donation sites. Please email sally@boxesofbasics.org to learn more and thank you for helping the kids!
- Actors & Actresses! The City of Manassas Park and the American Red Cross are calling for volunteers as they prepare for the worst! On Saturday November 4th there will be a Mock Disaster Shelter Set-Up at Manassas Park Community Center and volunteers are needed to role play displaced residents with various issues (medical, physical, mental health, etc.) seeking services at the shelter. The community center is located at 99 Adams Street, Manassas Park 20111. Volunteers age 16+ are needed, under 16 are welcome to volunteer with a parent. All types of languages are welcome! Volunteers should arrive at 8am for instruction. A light breakfast will be provided as well as lunch. Volunteers are asked to commit until 1pm. Please register to volunteer at: https://forms.office.com/g/c5SZpijrei. Please call 703.335.8880 or email mpdssinfo@manassasparkva.gov for more information.
- The Bull Run Watershed Protectors invite your families, friends and school organizations to continue to make a difference in cleaning the stream valley behind Costco, across Lomond to Ashton Rd., and the shops adjacent down to Walgreens at Sudley Manor Road in Manassas. Join them for this cleanup on November 11, 9am-11am! Credit for service hours are available! Safety vests, grabbers, and gloves to borrow, and water to refill your reusable water bottles are provided. Please visit https://bit.ly/405JEcU to sign up and learn more.
- Attention Home Improvement fans! The awesome staff at Habitat for Humanity Prince William County will be making repairs and updates on three local Boys & Girls Clubs in our community (Alloy, Heiser and Hylton) the week of November 13-18. Volunteers are needed to help, so haul out your toolboxes and sign up today by visiting the Volunteer Calendar at habitatpwc.org. You'll feel great knowing your work will help provide children with safe, decent, and inviting places to grow and expand! Please email volunteer@habitatpwc.org for more information.
- It's All About a Kid and a Toy! Volunteer Prince William has kicked off its Untrim a Tree program, which provides gifts for children attending Title I schools in the community, along with Senior Baskets for homebound senior citizens. Individuals, groups, clubs, families, etc. can come together to make Christmas possible for everyone! New location this year: Prince William County Fairgrounds, donation drop-off dates are December 10 (9am-8pm), or December 11-12 (12pm-8pm). An online donor form can be filled out at https://bit.ly/3QcHLYH or email utat@volunteerprincewilliam.org for more information. Volunteer help will be needed to sort toys and deliver Senior Baskets - stay tuned for more information!
If you are looking for other opportunities this Fall, please don't forget to call our wonderful team at Volunteer Prince William at 703.369.5292. You can also visit our website at www.volunteerprincewilliam.org. Thanks so much for all you do in our community.
