Deb Haynes is the Executive Director of Food for Others, a Fairfax-based food bank recently celebrating their 30th year of operation.

How long has Food for Others called Providence District home? 

30 years. We've actually just celebrated our 30 year anniversary. 

 

Why was this location chosen for Food for Others?

I'll be honest, that story is lost in the midst of time - I don't think I know the answer to that. I've been with Food for Others for 2 years. My understanding of the history is that we were originally an all-volunteer faith-based group. The organization was originally called Lazarus at the Gate. And there was apparently a lot of conversation happening with Fairfax County. And I believe the county's arrangement was along the lines of, if you will become a 501C3, we can do more to support your mission, since your mission is so important to the community and to the values of the County. So it developed from there, and since Fairfax County is actually our host here in Providence District, they probably had a lot to do with the location.

 

Can you tell us a bit about what drove you to join Food for Others as Executive Director?

Of course! So my first career was as a federal contractor. I was a systems analyst. And about 2012, I changed directions and went into ministry and social services. And during the pandemic, I had the privilege to see, as a case manager working with social workers and adults experiencing homelessness, including those recently entering housing, I had the privilege of working with Food for Others and making sure that recently housed folks had access to food, because you can imagine what happened to food insecurity during the early months of the pandemic. I was really impressed with Food for Others, not just in their mission, but in the incredible work heart and hard work and grit that they showed during that incredibly difficult time. The demand for services increased 250% during the pandemic. And I got to observe that from another agency. And so when this opportunity opened up, I was very excited to apply because I knew so many wonderful things about the organization.

 

In your role, what are some of the most impactful moments you have observed?

Pretty much every day. I get to see folks pushing a grocery cart full of groceries out of my market, which is what we call our pantry, out to their car and take their groceries home. And that is incredibly satisfying. Especially, you know, you see a senior citizen or a family with young children and watching them load up all those groceries to go home is the best feeling.

 

Has your perspective changed at all regarding the impacts you've observed in the last couple of years as far as food insecurity and hunger? Are you seeing any federal employees now that they're on shutdown?

Well, to answer the first question, yes. I think the most surprising thing about food insecurity in Fairfax County is that the rate of food insecurity is 26%. So you think about what a wealthy county we are, and yet a quarter of our residents are experiencing food insecurity. But we are extremely low compared to other counties in the greater metro D.C. area. Prince George's County is 49%. So, you know, we're doing well. But it's a big pill to swallow to say that 26% is doing well. I think the other thing that people maybe don't realize about food insecurity and that I personally even didn't realize until I came here is that the vast majority of the people that we serve are working. They are employed. They're often underemployed. They're often working multiple jobs. Those that aren't employed are usually either senior citizens or disabled. So the face of food insecurity isn't necessarily who you might stereotypically think it is. And now with the federal shutdown, we are seeing federal employees. But what we are seeing even more are the sort of service industry and low wage workers who are impacted when those higher wage workers are currently not being paid and therefore saving their money, right? You're not going to start a home renovation. You're not going to go buy things at Home Depot. You're not going to get your nails done or your hair cut. You're not going to do a landscaping project. And so the restaurants, all the service industry folks, we're really seeing that they're being hurt by the shutdown because their customers are saving their money instead of spending it.

 

Have you found that Northern Virginia differs from others when it comes to this line of work?

Yes, I would say what makes us most different is that our giving community is incredibly strong and incredibly generous. When I compare us to organizations of a similar size in other parts of the country, we are very well supported. Of course, we have this strong, healthy relationship with the county government. So I think that makes a difference. I think people are surprised by how high the median income is here, and yet we have such a high rate of food insecurity. I think that's in large part driven by the cost of housing here. I was listening to a podcast with a food bank director being interviewed from Kentucky, and she was talking about how expensive it is for a family of four to afford a two-bedroom apartment where the rent is almost $1,000 a month. Well, heck, you compare that to the rent for a one-bedroom in Fairfax County, right? Yeah. I think that makes us very different. There's a very high level of generosity here and a high level of wealth here, but the cost of living is so prohibitively high.

 

With the shutdown and snap cuts, is your work changing? Have you had to engage with new community partners?

Yes. Not so much new partners as really leaning into our existing relationships with the Capital Area Food Bank and partners like Western Fairfax Christian Ministries, United Community, Lorton Community Action Center. We are all working together, talking constantly, coordinating to make sure that between us we are serving everyone to the best of our ability. and that we're not doubling up in some areas and creating gaps in other areas. We're trying to make sure that we're spreading the safety net out for everybody in the county.

 

What can folks in Providence District do to get involved with fighting food security and helping you?

I think the two things we need the most are for community members who are able to to donate, and they can go to foodforothers.org and click on donate. That would be incredibly helpful to us. The other thing that we need is food drives because groceries are more expensive. Food drives have really tapered off, and so if folks are able to do a food drive in their workplace or their faith community or their neighborhood or their building, it would be incredibly helpful to us. And our most needed items are all listed on our website.

 

is there anything you would like us to convey to residents for Food for Others?

Well, I think there's two messages. The message for the folks that are facing food insecurity, particularly if this is a new experience for them. Some of these federal workers and contractors have never gone to a food pantry before, right? So my message to them is that help is available and we are here and we would love to see them. They can walk in Monday through Friday, 9.30 to 5.00. and we'll be happy to take care of them. If they're experiencing a really extreme food crisis, they should call Fairfax County Coordinated Services and actually ask for a referral, because if you come with a referral, we're able to provide you with a larger amount of food, enough to completely meet your family's needs for three to five days. For folks that are experiencing food insecurity, we want them to know that we're here for them. And then for folks who aren't experiencing food insecurity and who really care about the issue, obviously donations of funding and food are always very welcome. But this is also a time for advocacy, advocacy for SNAP, for WIC, for TANF, for our neighbors who are, you know, working and it's just not enough. They need these services and we need to advocate for them that they receive those services.

And I want to convey our gratitude. Our gratitude to both the county and to our neighbors here in Providence for this long relationship of generosity and support. and genuine care for our neighbors.

 

Deb was interviewed for Providence Spotlights prior to the end of the Federal Government Shutdown. We're grateful for her work and the work of Food for Others in our region during this time of need!