Sharing the Spirit of Thanksgiving with 130 Local Families in Need
By: Sarah Shamlal
Social4Good (S4G) is an all-volunteer, grassroots organization that brings together engaged women who want to meet new people and support the organizations that make our community strong. Each month, this column will highlight S4G’s monthly project to raise awareness on critical needs in our community and local nonprofits making a difference.
In November 2022, S4G hosted a food drive to support Second Story’s annual Thanksgiving basket distribution. As food insecurity and food prices continued to rise in the DMV, Second Story expected to distribute over 800 baskets this season. To help them achieve this goal. S4G set a goal to create 100 baskets, which included holiday staples and a grocery store gift card for each family to purchase a turkey.
Second Story (www.Second-Story.org), formerly known as Alternative House, has been providing critical services to at-risk youth for 50 years. They run both residential and community-based programs. Their residential program provides housing, counseling, and life skills support for teenagers experiencing crisis, young mothers, and young people experiencing homelessness. The community-based programs provide after-school homework help, life skills support, and safe-haven for 2nd-12th graders in vulnerable communities. Over the last several years, Second Story has expanded their outreach from Northern Virginia to communities throughout the entire DC Metro Area.
On November 17th, S4G volunteers gathered for a Sort & Social to fill “baskets” with food collected from members throughout the month and learn more about Second Story’s mission and programs. The turnout was amazing. Alexis Villegas, Community Outreach Liaison at Second Story, enthusiastically shared the organization’s 50 years of service to youth in the community and spoke with pride about Second Story’s mission and the many services they offer. “It’s a small organization that does a lot!”
With generous contributions from members and our community, S4G exceeded its goal and provided 130 Second Story families with a food-filled reusable grocery bag and a grocery gift card. The financial and in-kind contribution totaled more than $5,000.
To learn more about Social4Good or to contribute to support local nonprofits, visit www.Social4Goodevents.org.
