703-324-4600 TTY 711
12011 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035
Ramona Carroll
Equity Program Manager

Stuff the Bus

Stuff the Bus logo with tagline "Fight Hunger in Our Neighborhoods!"

Stuff the Bus began in 2011 in response to a critical need to help restock the shelves of local food pantries after the holidays. This collaborative program is a partnership between Fairfax County Government and local nonprofits. Now in its 13th year, Stuff the Bus continues to support food assistance efforts for families and households. Since inception, Stuff the Bus has collected more than 220 tons of food to feed people experiencing food insecurity in Fairfax County.

The Winter 2024 Stuff the Bus in-person food drive runs from January 13 - April 20. Details on giving opportunities are below. Please check this page for weather updates. 

 

 

Visit the following Stuff the Bus locations to drop off your food or cash donations during the specified donation hours: 
 
Saturday, January 13
Lorton Giant
8941 Ox Rd
Lorton, VA 22079
Donation hours: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
 
Saturday, January 20 - **POSTPONED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER. RESCHEDULED DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED.**
Falls Church Giant
7235 Arlington Blvd
Falls Church, VA 22042
Donation hours: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
 
Saturday, January 27
Vienna Giant
359 Maple Avenue East
Vienna, VA 22180
Donation hours: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
 
Herndon Giant
2425 Centerville Rd
Village Center at Dulles
Herndon, VA 20171
Donation hours: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
To benefit Cornerstones
 
Saturday, February 3
Falls Church Giant
7235 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, VA 22042
Donation Hours: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
 
Saturday, February 10
Herndon Safeway
413 Elden St., Herndon, VA 20171
Donation Hours: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
To benefit: LINK
 
Fairfax Walmart
11181 Lee Hwy, Fairfax, VA 22030
Donation Hours: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

To benefit: Britepaths

 
Saturday, February 17
**NOTE: Stuff the Bus events for February 17 have been postpone due to inclement weather.**
 
Union Mill Giant 
5740 Union Mill Rd, Clifton VA 20124
Donation Hours: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
**Please note: This location CHANGED from its original location at the Chantilly Walmart.**
 
Cardinal Forest Giant
8320 Old Keene Mill Rd., Springfield, VA 22152
Donation Hours: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
 
Springfield Giant
6364A Springfield Plaza, Springfield, VA 22150
Donation Hours: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

To benefit: Koinonia

Saturday, March 2
McLean Giant
1454 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean, VA 22101
Donation Hours: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
To benefit: SHARE of McLean
 
Mount Vernon Shoppers
7511 Fordson Rd, Alexandria, VA 22306
Donation Hours: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
 
Springfield Giant
6364A Springfield Plaza, Springfield, VA 22150
Donation Hours: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
To benefit: Koinonia
 
Saturday, March 16
Annandale Giant
7137 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003
Donation Hours: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
To benefit: Annandale Christian Community For Action (ACCA)
 
Saturday, April 20
Union Mill Giant 
5740 Union Mill Rd, Clifton VA 20124
Donation Hours: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

If you plan to donate to the Stuff the Bus food drive, please consider giving items from this list. Because the average size of a family seeking food assistance is four people, the sizes indicated are preferred to reduce food spoilage. Additionally, donating items that are high fiber, low sugar and low sodium not only feed people experiencing food insecurity but also contribute to their overall health and wellness. 

  • Cooking oil
  • Corn Flour Maseca 
  • Bag (dry) beans, peas or lentils (16 oz.)
  • Rice - brown or white (5 lbs. or smaller)
  • Canned fruit in light syrup or juice (20 oz. or smaller)
  • Healthy hot and cold cereal (42 oz. or smaller)
  • Healthy snacks (e.g. raisins, granola bars)
  • Canned tuna, salmon or chicken (15 oz. or smaller)
  • Canned tomatoes - low sodium, no salt added (29 oz. or smaller)
  • Soup - lower sodium (19 oz. or smaller)
  • Canned pasta (16 oz. or smaller)
  • Macaroni and cheese
  • Peanut butter (40 oz. or smaller)
  • Fruit jam (32 oz. or smaller)
  • Instant potatoes (16 oz. or smaller)
  • Pancake mix (32 oz. or smaller) and syrup
  • Canned vegetables - low sodium, no salt added (29 oz. or smaller)
  • Canned beans or peas (29 oz. or smaller)

The Capital Area Food Bank’s 2023 Hunger Report reveals multiple and compounding factors that have driven food insecurity to remain at staggeringly high levels. Inequitable economic recovery from the pandemic, inflation, and the end of many federal benefit programs make it difficult for families to put food on the table. According to the Capital Area Food Bank Survey, it’s estimated that 24% of Fairfax County residents are food insecure. For more information on food access resources, visit Ways You Can Help Fight Hunger in Fairfax County.

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