Lions of Northern VA and the Fairfax Education Association are Asking for Your Help to Fight Hunger
Poverty and hunger exist in Northern Virginia. Even though Northern Virginia is considered one of the wealthiest jurisdictions in the country, there is still a poverty rate of 5%. Based on US Census figures, that leaves 90,183 persons living in poverty, 30% of which are children.
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“Organizing this project with the FEA and FCPS also gives us a chance to help families in our community who don’t have enough to eat or can’t afford to buy nutritious food,” said Lions District Governor Dennis Brining.
Fairfax, VA (PRWEB) May 16, 2011
“Schools May Go on Break, But Hunger Does Not Take a Vacation ”
The Lions of Northern VA and the Fairfax Education Association (FEA) are working with the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) to collect can food from June 6-10 to help restock the “Food For Others” food pantry in Fairfax, Va . This event is part of the “Relieving the Hunger” Campaign, a Lions global campaign-taking place this year that focuses on hunger and malnutrition.
Lions Clubs participating included, the Fairfax Host Lions, Tyson Corner Lions and Merrifield Lions. Fairfax County Public Schools participating included: Aldrin, Terraset, Mosby Woods, and McNair Elementary Schools and South Lakes High School for this first time event. The team collected over 1800 pounds of food with a wholesale value of approximately $3,000 which will contribute to over 1800 meals. Given the success of this effort, the Lions and FEA plan on making this an annual event and believe that it will grow in time, to further help the local community in times of need.
Lions everywhere share a common belief, “community is what we make it.” During the “Relieving the Hunger” campaign, Lions are fighting hunger in their communities, while raising awareness of this global problem. Over one billion people do not get enough food to be healthy. Recently, financial and economic crises have pushed more people into hunger, and many hunger relief organizations are finding it difficult to keep up with demand.
Poverty and hunger exist in Northern Virginia. Even though Northern Virginia is considered one of the wealthiest jurisdictions in the country, there is still a poverty rate of 5%. Based on US Census figures, that leaves 90,183 persons living in poverty, 30% of which are children.
Additionally, once the school year ends, many parents are faced with a problem: how to feed their children during the summer break? Food services that regularly provide free or reduced price breakfast and lunch to our neediest students are not in operation during the summer months. This is also a time that food pantries often are nearly empty and have nothing to offer these families.
“This presents an opportunity for educators to make a real difference for our students while they are not in our care” notes Mrs. Kimberly Adams, VP of the Fairfax Education Association. The FEA will be asking schools to donate non-perishable food items during June 6-10. Items will be collected and brought to the “Food for Others” food pantry in Fairfax. Schools who wish to take this on as a school-wide program or student government activity will also be encouraged to help satisfy student service requirements.
“Organizing this project with the FEA and FCPS also gives us a chance to help families in our community who don’t have enough to eat or can’t afford to buy nutritious food,” said Lions District Governor Dennis Brining. “We’re trying to build a stronger, healthier community.” In addition to the Lions upcoming “Relieving the Hunger” service event, Lions conducts a variety of community projects, including sight and vision screening, diabetes awareness, to name a few of many in the County.
Lions clubs are groups of men and women who identify needs within the community and work together to fulfill those needs. For more information or to get involved with the Lions Clubs in our area, please contact District Governor Dennis Brining at 703-503-8019 or dlbent@aol.com.
Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with 1.35 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in 206 countries and geographical areas around the world. Since 1917, Lions clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired and made a strong commitment to sight preservation and community service throughout the world. For more information about Lions Clubs International, visit the Web site at http://www.lionsclubs.org.
The Fairfax Education Association is the largest professional association of teachers and education support professionals in Virginia. The FEA strives to improve the teaching and learning conditions in Fairfax County Public Schools. As an affiliate of the Virginia Education Association and the National Education Association, the FEA serves as a collective voice for our members. For more information about the Fairfax Education Association, visit the website at http://www.fairfaxea.org.
