Community in Action: Comunidad Partnership

Mobilizing together to build a stronger, more resilient Falls Church.

Welcoming Falls Church is proud to partner with Comunidad to support their large-scale, monthly food distribution. This collaboration allows us to bring the Welcoming Falls Church volunteer spirit to a well-established, locally-rooted effort that serves hundreds of our neighbors in one of the most vibrant areas of Falls Church.

Our History & Partnership

Comunidad is a Falls Church-based nonprofit—founded, like us, in 2018—and dedicated to equipping and engaging locally-rooted community leaders. Comunidad’s mission is built on the belief a community's residents are the best architects of its growth.

Since the start of the pandemic, Comunidad has partnered with the Capital Area Food Bank to mobilize a massive volunteer force each month. 40-50 volunteers pack groceries for hundreds of neighbors who come to collect them, and also for a group of Afghan families to whom food is delivered.

Welcoming Falls Church is delighted to come alongside Comunidad to help sustain this vital resource for the community.

Why We Show Up: The Willston Hub

Food packaging and distribution takes place at the Willston Multicultural Center, serving the heart of the Seven Corners and Willston neighborhoods. These areas are home to a high concentration of neighbors working primarily in the service sector. Data shows that many of these families face high regional housing costs alongside modest earnings, conditions that often lead to "overcrowding" in housing as multiple families share single-family spaces to stay afloat.

In the parking lot at Willston, the work of community building becomes a physical reality. When you arrive on a Saturday morning, the space transforms into a high-energy "outdoor warehouse." You'll see a sea of volunteers unloading pallets, breaking down bulk crates of produce and dry goods, setting up tables for distribution, and preparing for the arrival of hundreds of families. Join us in this shared purpose of people working side by side to serve typically 250 or more households with dignity and efficiency.

Get Involved: Practical Ways to Help

We join the Comunidad team on the third Saturday of every month.

• The Saturday Shift: Volunteers are needed to sort bulk shipments, pack grocery bags, and manage the flow of the distribution line. It is a fast-paced, high-impact morning – about 2 - 2.5 hours, but of extraordinary meaning for the families we serve (and for volunteers too).
• A Family-Friendly Opportunity: This is an ideal opportunity for families to serve together. We often see parents and children as young as eight working the assembly line, providing a tangible example of the value of neighborhood solidarity.
• Join the Distribution Team: For information about the timing and logistics for the next Willston distribution, please visit our Activity Calendar for dates and email us for more information.

New for 2026–2027: Deepening the Partnership

As we look toward the future, our hope is to evolve from mobilizing volunteer support monthly to expanding our partnership with Comunidad. In 2026-2027, we aim to:

• Increase Our Volunteer Footprint: We are seeking a dedicated "Welcoming FC Willston Team" of 8 - 10 regular volunteers, to provide a consistent, friendly presence.
• Bridge to Belonging: We hope our presence at the food distribution leads us to additional ways to serve, and to new ways to build a community of neighbors.

If you have a heart for high-energy service and want to help us grow this partnership, we invite you to join us with Comunidad at Willston.