Fairfax County is gearing up for its annual Stuff the Bus food drive on Saturday, March 14. This event aims to restock local food pantries and help families in need. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., eight grocery store parking lots will serve as collection points for non-perishable food items and gift cards.
The last event in September 2025 collected over 12,000 pounds of food and $774 in gift cards. This year, the goal is to reach 14,000 pounds. Alisa Brooks, the food access program manager, highlighted the importance of this initiative. “Every bit helps families who are struggling,” she said.
Since 2011, the county has teamed up with grocery stores, community organizations, and volunteers to make this event a success. A recent report by the Capital Area Food Bank reveals that food insecurity affects 26% of households in Fairfax County. This statistic sheds light on the pressing need for food assistance in the area.
Interestingly, since 2015, Stuff the Bus has collected over 511,000 pounds of food and nearly $63,000 in cash donations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, donations surged, with 148,000 pounds collected in 2020 alone. This suggests that during tough times, community support can make a significant difference.
Here are the locations for this year’s food drive:
- Annandale Giant: 7137 Columbia Pike, Annandale (benefiting ACCA)
- Chantilly Walmart: 4368 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly (benefiting Western Fairfax Christian Ministries)
- Clifton Giant: 5740 Union Mill Road, Centreville (benefiting Britepaths)
- Herndon Giant: 2425 Centreville Road, Herndon (benefiting Cornerstones)
- Huntsman Giant: 7501 Huntsman Blvd, Springfield (benefiting ECHO)
- Lorton Lidl: 9001 White Spruce Way, Lorton (benefiting Lorton Community Action Center)
- McLean Giant: 1454 Chain Bridge Road, McLean (benefiting SHARE of McLean)
- Reston Giant: 1450 North Point Village Center, Reston (benefiting LINK against Hunger)
As we prepare for this event, it’s essential to remember that every item donated can help turn a family’s struggle into relief. Together, we can make a real impact on our community.
For more information, check out Fairfax County’s official page about the event.
