With the help of F.A.S.T (Fairfax Athletes Stand Together), the Fairfax County athletic community is doing its part to ease hunger during COVID-19 by facilitating food donation to area pantries. F.A.S.T is a collaborative network of government organizations (like NCS), community nonprofits and athletic organizations that provides valuable assistance to underserved populations in Fairfax County.
In response to COVID-19, F.A.S.T conceptualized an online donation blitz idea to encourage community sports organizations and their participants to make financial donations via food pantry websites. This effort resulted in an $850 donation blitz to Colombia Baptist Church courtesy of SharingShoes. Other CSOs are exploring this donation model as well.
F.A.S.T has also organized several “Drive N’ Drop” food drives for community sports participants to donate food and toiletries to several area organizations. To date, these drives have resulted in significant donations, including:
- 2,000 pounds of food donated to ECHO courtesy of Springfield South County Youth Club
- 720 pounds of food donated to United Communities courtesy of Lee Mount Vernon Soccer Club
- 50 bags of baby, youth and adult spring/summer clothing donated to Koinonia courtesy of Springfield South County Youth Club
- 120 bags of baby, youth and adult spring/summer clothing donated to the Alexandria Salvation Army distribution center courtesy of Springfield South County Youth Club
In its recent weekly newsletter, the Springfield South County Youth Club thanked NCS Community Outreach Specialist Chris Pulley for his support, writing, “Our SYC members and caring neighbors really demonstrated what it looks like to ‘give and share’ in this difficult time, and we are so grateful!”
According to Chris, F.A.S.T is also developing a partnership with SevaTruck and several more sports organizations to provide hot vegetarian meals to targeted communities. Additionally, he said at least six other community sports organizations are in various planning stages of supporting Fairfax County’s community-based organizations.
Thank you to Chris, F.A.S.T and the Fairfax County athletic community for keeping Fairfax strong (#FFXstrong)!