By Rebecca Barnes, Publisher, Prince William Living | Photos courtesy of Northern Virginia Family Services.
For hundreds of families across Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park, a trip to the Northern Virginia Family Services Hunger Resource Center can help stretch a household budget when the cost of groceries competes with housing, utilities, childcare, and other necessities.
In fiscal year 2026, the Hunger Resource Center provided food to more than 900 households across the Greater Prince William area, according to Northern Virginia Family Services. Those families accessed food through the center more than 6,000 times during the year.
Now, NVFS is asking the community to help keep those resources available through its annual Fall Food Drive.
More than 450 families visit the Hunger Resource Center each month for fresh produce and pantry staples. Donations collected during the fall help replenish the center’s shelves for the holiday season and winter months.
Last year’s Fall Food Drive collected more than 24,000 pounds of food.
How Prince William Residents Can Help
Local residents do not have to travel outside the community to participate. Food donations can be delivered directly to the NVFS Hunger Resource Center at 10058 Dean Drive in Manassas.
Fall Food Drive donation drop-off dates are:
- Nov. 9, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Nov. 16, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Nov. 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Nov. 20, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
NVFS advises donors to allow additional travel time because construction in the area may cause delays or rerouting. GPS directions may lead drivers toward a closed section of Dean Drive. NVFS recommends accessing the center using the turnoff from Nokesville Road/Route 28.
What the Hunger Resource Center Needs
Grocery store gift cards are among the center’s highest-priority needs because they give NVFS additional flexibility to meet families’ needs.
The Fall Food Drive is also seeking canned chicken, canned tuna, cooking oil, dried beans, pasta, low-sugar cereal and oatmeal, peanut butter with low or no added sugar, and pasta sauce with low or no added sugar.
For canned fruit, NVFS is requesting peaches, pineapple, or mixed fruit packed in natural juices rather than syrup. The organization asks donors to avoid varieties labeled “no sugar added.” Low-sodium vegetable soups and soups or stews containing meat are also needed.
A complete list of requested items is available in the NVFS Fall Food Drive flyer.
Other Ways to Participate
Those who cannot bring food to the Manassas center can still participate. Residents can purchase requested food items online and have them directed toward the Hunger Resource Center’s needs. Financial contributions can also be made through the NVFS Fall Food Drive. NVFS says financial donations help the organization purchase the items it needs most, including grocery store gift cards distributed to Hunger Resource Center clients before the holidays.
Businesses, schools, faith communities, neighborhoods, and other groups can also organize their own food drives. Groups interested in coordinating a drive can contact NVFS at ncannon@nvfs.org. Volunteer opportunities are available for individuals and groups interested in helping sort, pack, and distribute food at the Hunger Resource Center. Fall Food Drive volunteer opportunities open Oct. 1. Questions about volunteering can be directed to vbonilla@nvfs.org.
Northern Virginia Family Services has served the region for more than 100 years. Today, the organization says it serves more than 40,000 people annually through more than 30 programs across Northern Virginia. For Fall Food Drive information, current donation needs, and additional ways to participate, visit the NVFS Fall Food Drive page.
Rebecca Barnes is the publisher of Prince William Living and CEO of Imagine, a destination marketing and communications agency based in Manassas. A longtime Prince William County business and community leader, she is the founder and first chair of Leadership Prince William and a former chair of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce. Through Prince William Living, Barnes focuses on the people, organizations, businesses, and issues shaping the quality of life in the Greater Prince William community.
