A Basket of Cheer: Extending Hope and Compassion Across Our Community

Your continued support for our ongoing initiatives is invaluable. We are reaching out to you today for your support of our "A Basket of Cheer" initiative — a collaborative program that has served as a beacon of hope for over 10 years.

This program is dedicated to combating food insecurity and social isolation for seniors, veterans, and families across the DMV region.

 

Supporting Those Impacted by the Government Shutdown

In light of the recent government shutdown, we have expanded our outreach to include federal employees, contractors, and families who are experiencing financial hardship or food insecurity due to furloughs and delayed pay.

We understand that these disruptions place enormous strain on households already working to make ends meet. Our goal is to ensure that no one in our community goes hungry or feels forgotten during this time of uncertainty.

We are providing:

• Emergency food baskets and essential supplies to affected families.

• Wellness check-ins and resource referrals to help those impacted connect with community services.

• Volunteer and partnership opportunities for those who wish to stand in solidarity with our neighbors during this crisis.

If you or someone you know has been affected, please reach out — our network of volunteers and community partners are here to help bridge the gap.

 

How You Can Help

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Nourishing Meals

We prepare and deliver hot, nutritious meals to seniors and veterans residing in their homes or nursing facilities across the DMV.
We need volunteers for meal preparation and delivery, and we welcome in-kind donations of food and supplies.

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Generational Dialog Programs

 

Our Sankofa Conversations and Flowers and

Conversations programs foster intergenerational connections and combat loneliness.

• Sankofa Conversations pairs seniors and youth for shared experiences.

• Flowers and Conversations brings joy to seniors through flower arrangements, meals, and entertainment.

We welcome volunteers, donations of flowers, refreshments, activity supplies, and entertainment services.

 

Holiday Giving

 

We organize annual food and toy drives to support families in need across the DMV.
You can help by collecting and distributing non-perishable food items, new toys, and gift cards, or by partnering with us to host donation boxes.

We are always eager to explore partnerships and welcome support by way of volunteering, sponsoring an activity, or providing in-kind services to help us continue to nourish bodies, foster connections, and bring joy to those facing hardship.