Food Pantry/USDA Food Distribution

The BRUU Emergency Food Pantry, founded in 2006, helps those who cannot provide sufficient food for their families. About 25 volunteers each month keep the system organized. Orders are placed at Capital Area Food Bank, trucks pick up the food, volunteers unload, shelve it, and the next day help to distribute it. Records are kept, grants applied to, and all necessary paperwork completed to keep the pantry running.

The food pantry is open 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, from 9:30am-2:30pm at BRUU, 9350 Main Street, Manassas. The only question we ask is “How many family members are living in your house?” Although we encourage participation from anyone who is needy, including BRUU members, the majority of our clientele is currently Latino. We give a minimum of three days food (3 meals per day) to each household, geared to family size. We supply fresh fruit and vegetables, eggs, bread donated from Panera Bread, and cans, dried food, and boxed food, hygienic supplies, diapers, and a snack for each child. We do not have refrigeration, so donations are limited to food that will stay fresh for one day.

The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) or TEFAP food pantry has joined the BRUU food pantry. Food distributions for both food pantries will take place on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month from 9:30 am to 11:30 am. Eligibility for USDA food requires that a form be filled out and signed by each client. For this food, there is a financial qualification scale. USDA food is also allotted according to family size.

We are funded primarily through the generous support of BRUU members and friends, who donate money or canned goods to the BRUU Emergency Food Pantry. So far, our pantry has received four grants — three from Capital Area Food Bank and one from Feinstein Foundation $1 Million Challenge. In 2010, we supplied 6,473 bags of food to 1,794 families, consisting of 7,998 individuals.