More than 1,100 Loudoun residents participated in the Love Your Neighbor, Feed Your Neighbor food drive May 12, providing more than 54,000 pounds of food at drop off centers and to volunteers going door to door.

County Chairman Scott K. York (R-At Large) challenged county government employees to participate and they collected more than 4,000 pounds of food for the drive.

In addition, county residents contributed nearly $12,000 in cash donations.

Food was still being weighed May 18. Read more about the food drive here.

Some food donations were distributed as follows:

• Backpack Buddies: 3,160 lbs 
• Catholic Charities: 10,000 lbs
• LINK Against Hunger: 6,819 lbs
• Messiah's Market: 5,500 lbs
• Seven Loaves Services Inc.: 2,137 lbs
• Loudoun Interfaith Relief: 26,500 lbs and still counting

This project was the inspiration of a multi-denominational effort that included Ashburn Presbyterian, Community Church Virginia Academy, Galilee United Methodist, St. David's Episcopal, St. James' Episcopal, St. Matthew's Episcopal, St. Frances de Sales Catholic Church and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.    

The Hunger Awareness Month Initiative helped send a message of support to those in need, raised awareness of this critical issue and encouraged our citizens to come together to lend a hand.