Nourishing Families, Empowering Communities
March was a powerful month of service and support at the House of Mercy Food Pantry. With community needs continuing to rise, our pantry team, volunteers, and generous partners came together to serve 1,421 households, reaching a total of 5,727 individuals—a testament to the growing trust our community places in House of Mercy.
Of those served, 1,350 households were returning active clients, while 41 new families registered for long-term support. In addition, 64 walk-in families without existing accounts received immediate assistance, ensuring that no one in urgent need was turned away.
Our average daily pantry traffic reached 67 families per day, a number that reflects both the depth of need and the strength of our operations. Clients came from 50 different zip codes and 39 cities, underscoring our wide-reaching impact across Northern Virginia and beyond. The average household size served was just over 4 people, with 2,369 children (ages 0–17) and 3,120 adults receiving support this month alone.
Expanding Access & Partner Support
Beyond direct pantry services, we supported 7 families and 16 individuals through partner referrals and collaborations. We also welcomed 1 new partner resource, enhancing the wraparound support we offer to families in crisis.
Through our Foundations of Mercy program, we provided tailored support—including $430 in thrift store credits—to families taking steps toward stability. Additional assistance included:
- 6 Baby Bundles for new and expecting parents
- 22 birthday cakes donated through our Cake4Kids partnership
- $606.12 in gift cards to help families purchase specific essentials
- 320 educational books distributed to promote literacy at home
- 16,320 diapers, made possible through the Greater DC Diaper Bank, including a special delivery of 20,000 diapers
Food Distribution & Resource Management
In March, we distributed a total of 57,886 pounds of food, valued at $284,333.06. This included:
- 29,736 lbs of fresh food
- 10,213 lbs of non-perishable food
- 43 lbs of non-food items
Thanks to donations and purchasing partnerships, we were able to source over 39,992 lbs of food through community support and 17,851 lbs through direct purchases. In total, the food received this month was valued at $266,482.06.
Our food carts continue to be generously stocked, averaging 53 pounds per household, slightly above our ideal goal of 50 pounds. Each cart provides an estimated 44.1 meals, meaning families are receiving more than just short-term help—they’re receiving enough to nourish their households for days at a time.
Walking Alongside Our Families
While no families officially “graduated” from the pantry this month, 23 families were extended to continue receiving vital support. As always, our focus remains on providing stability, dignity, and opportunities for growth to every household we serve.
From food and diapers to books and birthday cakes, House of Mercy is committed to walking alongside families in every season of life. We are deeply grateful to our donors, volunteers, and community partners for helping us make this work possible.
Together, we are feeding hope—and changing lives.