Fighting Student Hunger in The City of Falls Church
No child should ever have to wonder where their next meal is coming from.
In The City of Falls Church, about 10% of middle and high school students rely on free or reduced-price school meals—leaving many hungry on weekends and school breaks. But together, we can change that. Food For Neighbors steps in to fill the gap, ensuring students have the food they need to thrive, every day.
If you’re in need of food donations, click here to find local resources that can help provide the support you need.
HUNGER IN THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH
The statistics underscore the ongoing challenges of food insecurity among students in The City of Falls Church. (source, source)
10%
ELIGIBILITY FOR FREE OR REDUCED-PRICE MEALS
Approximately 10% of middle/high school students in Falls Church City Public Schools qualify for free or reduced-price school meals.
23%
LIMITED ACCESS TO ASSISTANCE
About 23% of food-insecure individuals in The City of Falls Church qualify for SNAP benefits, leaving 77% without access to this form of assistance.
8.3%
FOOD INSECURITY RATE
An estimated 8.3% of The City of Falls Church’s population experiences food insecurity, affecting around 1,200 individuals.
FCCPS SCHOOLS WE SERVE
Food For Neighbors has partnerships with these middle and high schools.
Does your school have a need for a food pantry to help support students who struggle with food insecurity? We would love to talk to you about bringing our program to your area.
THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH
- Mary Ellen Henderson MS
- Meridian HS
THE City of Falls Church FAQS
This section provides answers to commonly asked questions about our programs in The City of Falls Church.
My school is not listed. How can we Sign up for your programs?
If your school is interested in joining Food For Neighbors, we’d love to connect with you. Start here for more details on the next steps.
How Can I Volunteer?
We would love to have you join us! We rely on volunteers to collect food donations, organize food drives, and distribute food to schools. To learn about our volunteer opportunities, click here.
If you would like to get more involved, we offer a variety of leadership opportunities. If you have a special skill, want to make a difference in your community, and enjoy working with a dedicated team, click here.
What specific programs does Food For Neighbors offer?
Food For Neighbors supports local students through initiatives like the Red Bag Program, which collects and distributes food to schools. We also provide grocery gift cards to the most vulnerable families, help schools start food pantries, provide toiletries, and distribute holiday meals. We work directly with FCCPS staff, who identify those in need and connect them with these resources.
How often do you collect food?
Through our Red Bag Program, we collect food five times during the school year. You can request a bag, fill it, and leave it by your door on our designated dates. Our volunteers will pick it up and make sure it reaches a local school the same day. It really is that easy to make a difference.
Our CITY OF FALLS CHURCH LEADERSHIP
FALLS CHURCH TEAM
Area Manager – Paula Prettyman
Event Coordinator – Suzanne Zulauf
Driver Coordinator – Erika Grams
Join Our CITY OF FALLS CHURCH Team
Through the generosity of our community, we collect and distribute essential food items to middle and high school students facing food insecurity. Our Red Bag Program, volunteer network, and partnerships with local schools ensure that students have access to nourishing meals when they need them most.
Together, we’re making a difference—one bag of food at a time. Join us in our mission to support local youth and strengthen our community!
See the Impact:
Our Community in Action!
TESTIMONIALS
“Thank you so much. This makes such a difference for students to have a consistent source of snacks throughout the day–snacks that they choose, enjoy, and that nourish them. It’s a small but important step in addressing the socioeconomic equity gap too.”
SOCIAL WORKER
Falls Church City Public Schools