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SERVE gears up for Thanksgiving
Thanks to SERVE’s Operation Turkey program, Thanksgiving will be a little brighter for those in need in western Prince William County. SERVE, a program of Northern Virginia Family Service, has been in existence for 35 years.Operation Turkey, which provides Thanksgiving dinner ingredients to low-income residents, is no small task and it takes the efforts of many people to make it happen.
The food is donated through the community, primarily through the Boy Scouts' Scouting for Food Program, as well as through the Prince William County and Manassas City schools, churches and civic groups. Wegmans in Gainesville is also doing their part by raising money at the register to go to SERVE.
“We provide complete meal packages for families, including non-perishable vegetables, potatoes, stuffing mix, canned pumpkin, coffee and tea and dessert mixes. In addition, a grocery voucher is provided for a particular grocery store in which people can select their meat of choice,” explained Karen Horowitz, SERVE’s community engagement specialist.
In order sign up for assistance, applicants must come to the emergency assistance center at 10056 Dean Drive in Manassas by Nov. 19 and bring ID, proof of address and proof of income. Meal packages containing the voucher are picked up the Manassas Adventist Preparatory School, 8225 Barrett Drive in Manassas, right before Thanksgiving.
Volunteers are needed on Thursday, Nov. 18, and Friday, Nov. 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., to sort and organize food.
On Monday, Nov. 22, help is needed to pack up and load the excess food, which is taken back to SERVE for the food assistance program.
“The outpouring of food is so generous at this time of year leading into the holidays,” said Eileen Pugh, SERVE director.
Although Operation Turkey keeps SERVE busy, the need for food goes on year round.
“We serve almost 1,000 families a month, providing them with one week’s worth of food. The variety depends on our supply,” explained Pugh.
Besides food assistance, SERVE’s programs include shelter, transitional housing, emergency assistance and life skills education for individuals and families.
“The trend in homelessness is rapid re-housing. Instead of people coming into a shelter and staying for a period of time, we’re trying to get them into a more permanent place as quickly as possible,” said Pugh.
Applicants are initially accepted for 30 days and are expected to find employment and a more permanent living situation in that time. For singles the length of stay can be extended to 60 days and for families, 90 days. SERVE also offers 17 transitional homes, where families may stay for up to two years, explained Pugh.
“We never turn anybody away. If someone comes to our door that doesn’t live in the area, we supply at least one day’s worth of emergency food and refer them to the services in their area,” she said.
To contact SERVE, call 703-368-2979 or visit www.nvfs.org.
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