Unsung heroes come in all forms. And at Westminster at Lake Ridge (WLR), staff members and residents are paying it forward within the local community by providing transportation and food to people in need of shelter.
The senior living community is committed to an ongoing partnership with StreetLight Community Outreach Ministries, a Virginia-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping those who are homeless and improving the quality of life of impoverished individuals, families, and children.
Founded in 2004, StreetLight Ministries plays a crucial role in assisting more than 28,920 adults and children who struggle to get the food and housing they need in the Prince William County area. The nonprofit organization spearheads food drives, fundraiser dinners, and provides emergency and financial assistance throughout the year to support anyone in need, this also includes a food pantry where individuals can retrieve food when needed..
David Mcllvaine, WLR’s Director of Spiritual Life, said WLR alongside Sodexo, a food services management company, has provided over 210 servings of food for StreetLight this year. It has also been serving meals to the organization’s hypothermia shelter from December 2023 through March, and hopes to resume with the help of Sodexo closing out the year.
“Some of our residents volunteered at StreetLight before the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mcllvaine said. “Now, we take food to the Harvest meals once every quarter and the food serves about 30. We have a couple of programs planned for this year, but we’re hoping to be even more involved with more frequent visits and food drops to the warming shelter in the coming months.”
In September 2024, WLR increased its participation by providing a monthly shuttle bus service for the homeless. It utilizes a residential bus to transport homeless individuals to StreetLight’s Harvest Meal program. The transportation service not only makes it easier for people to access warm and nutritious meals, but it also helps foster a sense of community between those being helped and the volunteers.
“Our goal is to bridge the gap between those in need and the resources available to them,” Mcllvaine said. “We hope this free shuttle bus service can be just one small step forward towards a brighter future for those in our community.”
To learn more about Westminster at Lake Ridge, contact 703-420-7105 or visit https://inglesideonline.org/westminster-lake-ridge/.