MLK Day of Service in Alexandria

Faith community joins forces to combat hunger.

Story by Jeanne Theismann

Thursday, January 19, 2023

Volunteers from Agudas Achim Congregation of Northern Virginia, Alfred Street Baptist Church and the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom joined forces Jan. 16 to pack more than 20,000 meals to combat food insecurity in the region as part of a Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service project.

“We are packing food for the hungry,” said volunteer Doug Fagen. “Each meal package includes soy, pinto beans, vegetables and rice.”

More than 165 volunteers turned out to pack the meals in assembly-line fashion with carefully measured amounts of each ingredient.

“Each prepared bag is enough to feed six people,” said volunteer Jennifer Jones. “And all meals we are preparing today will go to those who are hungry in the Alexandria area through ALIVE!”

Also collected at the event were donations of gently used winter coats, hats, boots, mittens and warm socks for local distribution.

The event at Agudas Achim Congregation was sponsored by the Henry H. Krevor Endowment Fund for Social Action with support from an anonymous donor.