The Emergency Neighbor System

August 28, 2025

This summer we launched an experiment called the Emergency Neighbor System, as we reached out to a local nonprofit (the Anna Sudha kitchen in Dulles Town Center) to see if their mission was a good fit for our church volunteers. It was a test.

The idea behind the Emergency Neighbor System is simple: when community needs shift, Galilee will adapt. We’ll try new partnerships, pilot new models of service, and stay flexible so that Christ’s love is shared with neighbors effectively.

We’re continuing to flex our outreach muscles with  a new initiative involving Loudoun Hunger Relief and local ministry partners.

Galilee has long donated food to Loudoun Hunger Relief by collecting baskets of fresh produce and canned goods from our generous members. Now LHR has asked us to flip the model. Instead of sending food to their pantry, their pantry is sending food to us.

Loudoun Hunger Relief is thriving. It's strength is that it collects a bounty of food from many sources. Galilee's strength is our connection to the community. We know who is in need and we can help get them the resources they need.

Here’s how this new test will work: when LHR has an overflow of produce, they’ll give us a heads-up by email. Then our Emergency Neighbor System springs into action:

  • Volunteer drivers from Galilee and The Chapel pick up the food overflow
  • Most of the overflow will be put directly put into the hands of neighbors in Sterling and Ashburn
  • Our friend Pastor Joshua Delgado and his Community Services team will help distribute the overflow to households
  • A portion of the overflow will remain at Galilee and The Chapel for use by our congregants

This week, for instance, Galilee received an email and picked up crates of farm-fresh tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapeños, and greens. Pastor Joshua’s team will take the bulk of this food to households that we have identified as most in need.

Additionally, at Sunday worship at Galilee and the Chapel you’ll find baskets of produce and grocery bags with flyers explaining our program. This is for YOU. Please—take this food. Cook it for your family, share it with friends, or deliver a meal to a neighbor. Your participation in our Emergency Neighbor System encourages others to take what they need. Together we can spread love with food.

Remember…this is a test. We are trying new things, because Christ’s love is ever new.

If you or someone you know is struggling with food or other expenses, call Pastor Mike at (540) 908-5741 or contact the church office. Galilee can help. If you’d like to volunteer to pick up food overflow, call the office. We’d love for you to be a part of the Emergency Neighbor System.

Local pastor Joshua Delgado leads a ministry team that will help distribute food in surrounding neighborhoods. Together, we can make sure no neighbor is overlooked.

While we are no longer collecting food donations for Loudoun Hunger Relief, you can still give food or money through Galilee or the Chapel. We encourage you to help us feed hungry kids through the Backpack Buddies program! Every weekend, our volunteers pack and deliver meals for 631 local students. That’s up 7% from last year. Here’s a list of what we need. If you shop at Amazon, the food can be delivered directly to our pantry.