Loudoun Hunger Relief launched its Mobile Market service to the Sterling Park neighborhood of Loudoun County in the fall of 2019. The Mobile Market was originally designed to provide the same groceries as a visit to our Leesburg pantry, but to serve our neighbors right in their own neighborhood. When the COVID shutdown hit in spring of 2020, need for our Mobile Market service expanded rapidly. LHR mobilized to meet that need and more. Since April 2020, we have been rolling our Mobile Market service to Sterling Park and Sugarland neighborhoods in eastern Loudoun on a weekly basis, as well as providing service to Purcellville twice a month. The Mobile Market was providing weekly groceries to nearly 500 families a week at the peak of the pandemic in neighborhoods worst hit by pandemic related job-loss and stress.
The Sugarland neighborhood in Sterling was particularly hard hit. Through partnerships with area organizations, the Mobile Market meets needs beyond food. Loudoun Literacy periodically provides books for children of all ages. Our ongoing Pet Pantry partnership with Humane Society of Loudoun County and Loudoun County Animal Services is on full display once a month with the LCAS ‘Animal Mobile’ on-site providing pet food and supplies. Sugarland residents are also able to get information on COVID vaccines and other health information when Inova Cares Clinics for Families’ Community Health Worker visits the market. SNAP-Ed representatives from Virginia Cooperative Extension-Loudoun Office provide nutritional education information, as well as information on how families can apply for SNAP and receive financial help to feed their family. For a schedule of partner visits to the Mobile Market visit www.loudounhunger.org/events
