Nat'l Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week: Local Restaurants to Support Homestretch

As November chills finally set in, many folks seeking food and shelter over the winter months rely on our support as a community. Did you know that National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week this year is Nov. 17-23? 

This annual program marks a time where “people come together across the country to draw attention to the problems of hunger and homelessness. Participating groups spend the week holding a series of educational, service, fundraising, and advocacy events,” according to Hunger and Homelessness Week's website.

Founded in 1975 at Villanova University, the campaign has raised millions of dollars for local service providers to those in need at over 700 locations, drawing hundreds of thousands of participants. 

“No one should have to worry about whether they'll have food on their plate or a roof over their head,” the campaign says. “But the reality is that hunger and homelessness are widespread problems that affect far too many people. Many Americans are living on the edge, forced to choose between basic necessities like purchasing food, paying rent, or going to the doctor.”

According to the campaign, 37.2 million Americans live below poverty level, 580,000 Americans are homeless on a typical night, 44 million Americans are at risk of suffering from hunger, and 1-in-6 children in the U.S. live in poverty.

While child food insecurity rates in the City of Falls Church tend to hover around 2 per 100, The Capital Area Food Bank's 2024 Hunger Report found that nearly 27 percent of households in Fairfax County – one of the wealthiest counties in the United States – are struggling to afford enough nutritious food. 

In “Hunger is Closer Than You Think,” a study of hunger in Northern Virginia by Food for Neighbors, researchers indicate that over 93,000 students in Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun County Public Schools are “eligible for free/reduced price school meals,” while in Fairfax County Public Schools, “over 63,000 children qualify for free and reduced price meals,” representing over 1-in-3 students. 

“Children are especially vulnerable to the worst effects of food insecurity,” Food for Brothers reports. “If children under age 3 do not get enough to eat, their growth and development is affected. Older children who are not getting enough to eat are more likely to get sick, feel fatigued, and develop anxiety. They are also unable to perform well in school — food insecurity is directly linked to lower test scores. It is also associated with anxiety, bullying, hyperactivity, and aggression.”

Falls Church Support Group Homestretch to Receive Local Contributions

“In recognition of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, November 17-23, several local restaurants will participate by donating a portion of their proceeds to Homestretch, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to helping homeless families in our community achieve self-sufficiency and stability,” Homestretch said in a press release Nov. 12.

Homestretch, at 303 S. Maple Ave. in Falls Church has a mission "to empower homeless families with children living in Virginia to attain permanent housing and self-sufficiency by giving them the skills, knowledge and hope they need to become productive participants in the community."

Participating Restaurants: 

Café Kindred, 450 N. Washington St. Falls Church – All week, Nov. 17-23 - Twenty-five (25) percent off all Children’s Menu items – Mention "Homestretch" when ordering. 

Cowboy Café, 4792 Langston Blvd., Arlington – Monday, Nov. 18 – Twenty (20) percent off all orders – Mention "Homestretch" when ordering. 

Original Pancake House, 7395 Lee Highway, Falls Church – Thursday, Nov. 21 and Friday, Nov. 22 – Ten (10) percent off all orders – Mention "Homestretch" when ordering. 

Shake Shack, 2911 District Ave., Mosaic District – Thursday, Nov. 21 – Twenty-five (25) percent off all orders, in restaurant or carry out – Use code DONATECHICKEN when ordering. 

Wendy’s, 7391 Lee Highway, Falls Church – Tuesday, Nov. 19 – Twenty (20) percent off all orders – Mention "Homestretch" when ordering. 

Westover Taco, 5849 Washington Blvd., Arlington – Thursday, Nov. 21 and Friday, Nov. 22 – Ten (10) percent off all orders – Mention "Homestretch" when ordering. 

Sponsor:

Chicken Salad Chick, 7505 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. 

For more on Homestretch read our in-depth article below:

Homestretch of Falls Church Helps Families with Children Overcome Homelessness

The Falls Church Independent interviewed Julie Crain, volunteer coordinator for the Homestretch program at 303 S. Maple Ave., to find out more about the organization, its approaches to helping unhoused families, its models for success, and what sorts of initiatives the group’s working on.

The Falls Church IndependentChristopher Jones

By Christopher Jones