A community where everyone has access to sufficient, nutritious food.
Loudoun Hunger Relief is committed to eliminating food insecurity by providing access to nutritious food, building community connections, and expanding educational opportunities.
Serving Loudoun County since 1991.
SUPPLY
We try to have as much fresh and whole food as possible
EDUCATION
We offer nutrition and cooking classes
DISTRIBUTION
We serve at our Leesburg pantry and at our mobile market sites in Sterling
What we do
As the population of Loudoun County has increased, the number below the poverty line has also increased and so has the number of families and individuals we help. This past year, LHR directly served more than 14,500 individuals with a total of about 186,000 service instances. LHR distributed about 3 million pounds of food right here in our Loudoun community. LHR is committed to providing the best possible services to all clients regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity (or expression), religion, national origin, age, disability or background. Click here to read our full policy.
How the Emergency Food System in America Works
LHR is a food pantry. We supply perishable and non-perishable food items directly to our clients. A food bank stores thousands of pounds of food, including food for USDA. Our food bank is the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. Food banks supply food pantries with some free donated items and also sell food to pantries at a highly discounted price. Feeding America is the national network that includes more than 200 food banks and food rescue organizations throughout the country. LHR is a partner agency with the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank and a Feeding America partner as well.
What We All Work Toward
Ultimately, the goal of LHR is to provide support and assistance so that families can live in our community without a need for our services. We have had success in this goal, but new families and individuals are constantly challenged in their lives.
And, unfortunately, there are those who will always need LHR (for example, the elderly, the sick, and people with disabilities). We continue our efforts to address the hunger problems of a growing community with rapidly growing needs.
Recognition and Memberships
LHR is proud to be recognized for stellar financial management, best-practice operations, and exemplary service to our mission. Here are just a few of our awards and memberships:
HISTORY OF LHR
Since 1991, Loudoun Hunger Relief (LHR) has served as Loudoun County’s primary emergency food pantry, providing food assistance to the hungry and food insecure in Loudoun. From the first humble storefront in the Virginia Village Shopping Center to the current two warehouse operation, the goal has always been the same: To ensure that no one in Loudoun County goes hungry.
In early 1991, The Loudoun Department of Social Services called a meeting of churches from Loudoun County to present an idea for a central food distribution center. Many congregations had food closets, but it was sometimes difficult to reach them and find a steady source of food. From that meeting a core group of dedicated volunteers was formed and in the coming months, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit was created. A space was donated and food service distribution began in November 1991.
In 2023, LHR opened The Market at the Community Services Center at our current Miller Drive location in Leesburg. This center offers access to multiple human services under one roof. In 2025, a second LHR free market will open in Sterling in a space also occupied by other human services nonprofits. Our goal is to help people move beyond their food needs to obtain other services that stabilize their finances and allow them to thrive.
Through multiple locations, thousands of volunteers, donors and food drives, and tens of thousands of people helped, LHR has been there for Loudoun.
Our volunteers, supporters and staff continue to be united by a commitment to offer support and solutions to our neighbors who need help getting enough food. We help anyone who lives in Loudoun County as they experience financial hardships of various kinds, including underemployment, unemployment, temporary furloughs, expenses outpacing fixed incomes, medical expenses, and other circumstances. Thank you for helping us do this work!
- Established in 1991
- Largest food pantry in Loudoun County
- Full choice, free grocery market where families can choose their own foods
- Nutrition guidance on the shelves to assist in making informed food choices
- Fresh and whole foods available, including milk, eggs, proteins, and fresh produce
- Non-food items provided on an as-available basis
- Staff members are certified food handlers
- Affiliated with the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank
FINANCIALS
When considering donating or volunteering for an organization, knowing that your money and time are going to help serve those in need is critical. Below are various documents that show Loudoun Hunger Relief’s (formerly Loudoun Interfaith Relief) sound financial stewardship and commitment to service. We are committed to transparency.
Loudoun Hunger Relief’s statement on diversity, equity, inclusion and access: At Loudoun Hunger Relief, we respect diverse life experiences and heritages, and we are committed to learning, fostering, and maintaining an environment where diversity, equity, inclusion and access are fully integrated into everything we do for the benefit of our employees, board of directors, volunteers, and the neighbors we serve. While we have more work to do to further these principles, we are committed to continually advancing, adapting and improving for our ever-evolving community and world.
Click here to read LHR Requirements, Participant Rights, and Responsibilities
Click here to read our anti-discrimination policy.
Click here to read LHR SMS-Text Messaging Consent & Privacy Policy.
Please click here to read information about food dating.
Click here to learn more about the shelf life of foods we commonly have.
For your information: We receive the food we distribute as donations from individuals and corporations, in good faith. Click here to see the law that helps make it possible for people to donate and for us to accept the donations.