On Sunday, November 2, 2025, Arlet Williams shared an inspiring message about Pender's Share God Cluster and how it’s helping to meet real needs in our community.

From supporting food assistance programs to collecting coats and gifts, the Share God Cluster is living out John Wesley’s call to care for the poor, the hurting, the homeless, and the vulnerable.

Highlights from Arlet’s Message:

* SNAP Food Assistance: Connecting families with emergency food resources.
* Community Outreach: Collecting coats for The Lamb Center, gifts for Operation Christmas Child, and supporting the Tiny House Project in Philippi, WV.
* Emergency Loans: The Northern Virginia District of The United Methodist Church (NOVA UMC) has set aside $1 million to offer zero-interest short-term loans for federal employees and Northern Virginia UMC members during financial hardship or government shutdowns.
* Faith and Hope: Even when challenges arise—God is still in control.

Pender UMC continues to work alongside our ecumenical and district partners to make a difference where it matters most—right here in our community and beyond.

Are you in need of emergency food?

WFCM clients select groceries by appointment in our markets, but we also offer pre-bagged emergency food with no appointment needed for families in our community.

Need diapers for your baby or toddler (under age 3)? We are also a diaper hub (in partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank) at our Chantilly location for families in western Fairfax County.

Pick up groceries at our markets during the month of November:

Chantilly @4511 Daly Drive Suite J:
Monday-Friday 11 am-1 pm and Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 4:30 pm-6:30 pm

Centreville @5948 Centreville Crest Lane:
Monday 3-6pm
Tuesday and Wednesday 11 am-1 pm and 4:30 pm-6:30 pm

Questions? 703-988-9656 / wfcmva.org

Please note: We are closed in observance of Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day following Thanksgiving.

WFCM continues to be an important source of food for those in our communities who experience food insecurity. With the recent reduction of SNAP benefits, WFCM is prepared to provide increased assistance to those in need.

As you are able, please support the WFCM initiatives to assist the most vulnerable in our midst. Please contact Becky with any questions.

Thank you,

Becky

Supporting U.S. Families and Communities Facing Food Insecurity

Global Ministries launches emergency food grants to support U.S. churches and food pantries combating hunger.

To address a growing U.S. hunger crisis, the General Board of Global Ministries is making Feeding Our Neighbors food ministry grants available, offering up to $2,000 in emergency food funding for United Methodist congregations with food ministries, pantries and ministry partners across the United States. United Methodist churches seeking to participate in the program can learn more and apply here.

Applications are open and will be accepted through Dec. 15, 2025. Learn more about the program here.

These grants are intended to inspire acts of compassion at this time, in answer to Jesus’ call in Matthew 25:35: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.”  

As the U.S. government shutdown continues, more than 40 million people are expected to lose food assistance benefits beginning Nov. 1.  

“Already, community-based organizations and food ministries are reporting surges in requests for assistance, as individuals and families face critical decisions about daily living expenses,” said Roland Fernandes, general secretary of Global Ministries and UMCOR. “The further loss of food assistance benefits will have devastating consequences for millions of families. We pray that these grants will help local churches respond quickly and compassionately in their congregations and communities.”

Dr. Dana Lyles, who serves as director and team lead for Global Ministries’ Multiethnic Ministries, added, “Families are already struggling with inflation, job losses and cuts to safety-net programs that provide medical, food and financial support. These grants will allow United Methodists to stand together to protect the most vulnerable in our communities.”

Feeding Our Neighbors grants have been made available through the United Methodist Voluntary Service Program. Designed to operate at a community level, the grants directly support local church food ministries and pantries. Global Ministries is also working on a large grant with an established partner, Feeding America, to address broader U.S. needs. This grant will come to the board of directors for approval in the coming weeks. 

Approved grants will be dispersed within three weeks of approval to provide immediate support for local food ministries during this critical time. 

To provide financial support for hunger relief efforts, give to the World Hunger Poverty.

WFCM Ways to donate:

Provide a monetary donation through Pender by designating the recipient as WFCM on your check or on-line giving

Send a monetary donation directly to WFCM at P.O. Box 220802 Chantilly, VA 20153

Participate in one of the fund-raising activities as described in their monthly newsletter and on-line at wfcm.org

Send needed items through Amazon directly to WFCM at their warehouse located at 4511 Daly Drive, Suite J, Chantilly ,VA 20151

Place needed items into the cart at Pender for weekly delivery to WFCM

Donate your time by volunteering in the Food Pantry or another of their many services.

QUESTIONS? ASK BECKY!

WFCM Executive Director's Update

In October, we held our 2nd Annual Walk to End Hunger and Stone Middle School held their Annual Walk to End Hunger as well. Yesterday, I participated in the Springfield/Burke CROP Walk (which benefits WFCM and ECHO locally, as well as CWS globally). And yet, with the government shutdown entering a second month and SNAP benefits impacted, the risk of food insecure families becoming hungry is a disconcerting reality.

In Virginia, individuals and families who receive SNAP benefits will receive Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) which will be provided weekly, as opposed to monthly. The example provided in Governor Youngkin's press release is "if a household normally receives $200 for a monthly benefit, a $50 benefit will be issued on a weekly basis." We are grateful for the VENA effort, though we know that a family who received $200 on October 4th and receives $50 on November 4th will face challenges in purchasing groceries and that this will also impact grocery stores.

Due to the generosity of our donors, we are purchasing critical staples to stock our shelves and preparing pre-bagged emergency food bags so that we are able to meet the growing needs in our community. This includes purchasing more than a dozen items such as spaghetti, tuna, cereal, apples, and eggs.

If you are looking for ways to get involved, please consider:

· Donating food (see our Most Needed Food List below) during donation hours which include this Saturday November 8th 9-11am (note that the Sully District Scouting for Food drive is also this Saturday and you may be able to leave food at your front door on the 8th for pick up by the Scouts if they left a note/bag for you on Saturday Nov 1st)
· Donating funds for food and or operations (online at wfcmva.org/donate or by mailed check)
· Share information about WFCM with neighbors who may need help or want to help Your partnership is critical and impactful. After we delivered groceries last month to Ms. P, a senior citizen renting an apartment in Centreville, she sent her WFCM case worker this note, "Sometimes I only eat peanut butter because I can’t afford food. I’m just floored by the amount of food that was delivered to me today. You have no idea what it means to me. I see there are still good people in this world. Thanks for your help.”

Thank you for your partnership in this important work to end hunger, reduce food insecurity, and keep families safely housed.

God bless,
Harmonie Taddeo, Executive Director

Did you know GoFundMe has created donation pages for over a million charities—including UMCOR? While that might sound convenient, we encourage you to give directly instead.

Why? GoFundMe deducts fees, donor information isn’t fully shared, and their terms don’t align with our practices. Giving directly through the Advance ensures 100% of your gift supports the mission or ministry you choose.

Your generosity deserves transparency and we want to make sure every dollar you donate counts.

SNAP Updates and VENA Emergency Assistance Information

Oct. 30, 2025 — Governor Glenn Youngkin has declared a State of Emergency to address the lapse in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits starting Nov. 1.

To fill this gap, Virginia has created an emergency food assistance program called Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA). VENA will provide emergency food assistance to eligible SNAP households while the federal shutdown continues in November.

Fairfax City residents are eligible for this service.

The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) is implementing VENA directly, without local Fairfax County involvement. Emergency food assistance under VENA will be added to existing SNAP EBT cards starting Nov. 3. Click here to read more from VDSS about VENA.

VENA benefits will be paid on a weekly basis, instead of monthly, for the month of November, with the hope that the federal government reopens during this time.

VDSS has directed that people not approved for SNAP before Oct. 29 will not be able to participate in VENA; however, SNAP applications and renewals will continue to be accepted and processed. While SNAP applications can be received during the shutdown, SNAP benefits cannot be issued until the federal government reopens.

Resources

Resources are available if you need food or other financial assistance:

October SNAP benefits are not affected by the federal shutdown and have been distributed as expected.

Since SNAP is funded at the federal level and supervised by the state, Fairfax County cannot control or change when SNAP funding will be released. At this time, it is unclear whether benefits will be issued retroactively once the shutdown ends.

As of now, other public assistance programs such as Child Care Assistance and Referral (CCAR) and Medical Assistance (Medicaid) are not affected. We do not have updated guidance from the state about impacts to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits.

Click here to stay abreast of VENA and SNAP news.

Now through November 29, when you shop at Wegmans (Chantilly, VA), you can participate in "Checkout Hunger."

Your donations at checkout will benefit WFCM and the families we serve.

Thank you for being #CaringConnections!

Blessing Box

Pender has a Blessing Box at the end of the driveway near the lower parking lot which could always use donations. When you’re near Pender, please pay it forward and share a few groceries with those in need. There is no lock on it- it’s open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

“Take what you need.
Leave what you can.
Little becomes much
In the Master’s hand.”

Hebrews 13:16: “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

Food Donations

WFCM Donations:
Instant Mashed Potatoes
Diced Tomatoes
Canned Fruit
Canned Corn
Vegetable Oil
Sugar & Flour (1 lb. bags)
Tomato Sauce
Boxed Pasta
Shampoo/Conditioner
Soap
Deodorant
Toothpaste
Feminine Pads
Diapers (size 6 most needed)

JDC Worship

Both at the county and state levels, Pender members reach out to these troubled young people. We go behind the walls and meet face-to-face with them. We hear their stories. And we tell them ours. We talk about what Christ has done for us. And what He can do for them, if they let Him inside -- past their walls and their rough exteriors and their fear and their shame and their pride and their arrogance -- deep inside their hearts.

Join us in worship with the young men and women at the Fairfax County Juvenile Detention Center. Your participation matters to the residents, as the staff repeatedly tells us how we make a difference in the young men’s and women’s lives and the lives of the staff!

On the fourth Sunday of each month Pender ministers to the youth lodged in the Fairfax County Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) through a program of Sunday afternoon worship.  The JDC serves young men and women, ages 10 – 17.  These young men and women are held before trial, and in some cases, after trial in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.  The JDC also holds juveniles while awaiting transportation to the State Department of Juvenile Justice or other programs.  Their offenses run the gambit from delinquent offenders with minor criminal records to youth charged with major crimes.  Pender members join with these youth in worship including contemporary Christian music, a message, and prayer.  Every fourth Sunday, we meet at the Center at 1 PM and are finished by 2:00 PM.

Reaching Out to Share Christ’s Love with Our Troubled Neighbors

They live in our neighborhoods, across our state. They look like kids we know. They look like kids our own kids hang out with. Some of them probably are. Some portion of their young lives has been spent living behind bars – incarcerated for criminal actions. For a great many of them, their young lives have been marred by violence that they’ve perpetrated, or that’s been brought upon them. For some, it’s both.

The young people behind the walls and the impact-resistant glass have made bad choices and big mistakes. They've gotten involved with the wrong friends, the wrong lovers, been in the wrong places at the wrong times. And done wrong things.

  • More than 2.5 million juveniles are arrested every year in America and 70% of juveniles convicted of crimes go on to commit crimes again.
  • 94% of incarcerated youth have never had one single positive adult male role model.
  • 84% of the boys who become serious juvenile offenders have parents with criminal records.

These young people are more than just statistics. They're more than just names on a court docket. And they're more than just faces we'd rather look away from.

Sometimes they make people uncomfortable with their clothes and their language and their music. Sometimes it's easier to turn away from them than to serve them. But this is our world. And these, the least of these, are our collective responsibility. 

Welcome to our mission field.;

At Pender, we sincerely believe that Jesus Christ has a special place in His heart for these young people – the least, the last, the lost, the lonely.

As Christ’s hands and feet, we believe it’s our mission to demonstrate God’s redeeming Grace to young men and women who may have never heard the story of salvation before.

Hypothermia Center

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:17-18

Pender hypothermia working with Fairfax FACETS is a life-saving effort by local faith-based communities to serve those experiencing homelessness in Fairfax County and encourage guests to take steps towards self-sufficiency and stability as much as possible.

Sign up to help
Prayer Shawls
The Prayer Shawl Ministry creates shawls, lap afghans,  scarves and other handmade items which are then given to people in need of prayers and comfort.

Beginning knitters and crocheters are welcome!

Contact Iris Salcewicz for more information.

Ways to Serve
Pender Weather