On November 30, 2017, SOPHE staff rolled up their sleeves to pack more than 800 bags of groceries for senior citizens distributed by the Capital Area Food Bank to some 72 brown bag sites.

SOPHE joined other volunteers in this activity. Three hours of volunteer time was complimented by staff donating non-perishable food and a contribution of $310.

The Washington, D.C. region, some 16 percent of residents are at risk of hunger, and large numbers of children are obese. In just one afternoon, 12 persons are estimated to sort 6,000 pounds of food at the food bank. SOPHE staff plan to make this an annual event to give back to the D.C. community.

The Capital Area Food Bank is the largest organization in the Washington metro area working to solve hunger and its companion problems: chronic under nutrition, heart disease, and obesity. By partnering with 444 community organizations in D.C., Maryland and Virginia to deliver food directly to hard to reach areas, the food bank is helping 540,000 people each year get access to good, healthy food.