Area Churches Take Easter Collections

This Easter, several area churches will contribute to Western Fairfax Christian Ministries’ mission to serve the needy. 

Founded in 1987 through a cooperative effort of 12 local churches, Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WCFM) is an agency dedicated to serving Fairfax County residents on the verge of homelessness.

WFCM has an office in Chantilly that serves the neediest residents there as well as Centreville, Fairfax Station, Fair Oaks and Clifton.

More than 40 churches in Fairfax county are active in supporting WFCM, including Clifton Baptist Church, Clifton Presbyterian Church, St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church and the King's Chapel.  Church volunteers share a rotating schedule for in-kind donation collection from local businesses. 

St. Andrew's in Clifton is providing Easter baskets for some of the nearly 900 homeless families in Fairfax County.  Christ Presbyterian Church in Fairfax will provide holiday food baskets, and Grace Covenant Church in Chantilly will host an Easter service and sit down dinner for 40 WFCM clients.  

"We realize we can't do anything without donors and volunteers," said Melissa Jansen, executive director of WFCM for three years. She added that she and her part-time staff of 12 are entirely dependent on donors for support.

WCFM's Chantilly location is home to a thrift store and a food pantry that is set up as a grocery store where clients come to shop for groceries once a month.  A second office in Centreville houses administrative offices that provide WFCM clients financial assistance and a small food pantry.

While many residents think of donating during the fall and winter holidays, Jansen said many forget the cause of hunger prevention during the warmer summer months. 

June, July and August are a crucial time for the food pantry, according to Jansen because students are not in school and do not have access to the free and reduced lunch program.  She said the pantry often faces serious food shortages during this time.

Jansen said there are always plenty of opportunities for local residents to help. 

A schedule for WFCM food pantry and thrift store donations at the Chantilly office only can be accessed at their website.

The website is updated monthly with special requests for volunteers, specific food items and thrift store needs.  Monetary donations may be made online at the website listed above and can also be mailed to WFCM, PO Box 22082, Chantilly, Virginia 20153.