The Dulles South Soup Kitchen (DSSK) opened in 2020 to combat the effects of COVID-19. Nearly two years later, the food pantry is making permanent residency in a new location to expand its reach.
In a press release, founder, Devina Mahapatra, said the new facility allows them to better serve the community through additional programs that will be introduced in the coming months. “We will continue to feed people with dignity and further strengthen our partnerships with other local nonprofit organizations.”
According to Feeding America, a national nonprofit network of foodbanks, an additional 447,000 Virginians were estimated to experience food insecurity due to the pandemic, increasing the state’s food insecurity rate from 9.9 percent to 15.1 percent (as of 2020).
In Loudoun County, approximately 16,000 residents struggle with food insecurity, according to a September 2022 County Proclamation. In line with the Dulles South Soup Kitchen’s purpose to decrease food insecurity to ensure no one goes to bed hungry in Loudoun County, the new location symbolizes DSSK’s dedication to making this a reality.
Dulles South Soup Kitchen has served over 20,000 meals to over 4,000 households, comprising approximately 3,750 women, 5,500 children, and 250 single households in 2021. The initiative is rapidly building traction and anticipates donating about 40,000 meals to the community by the end of the year.
The address for Dulles South Soup Kitchen is 43635 Greenway Corporate Dr. Ashburn, VA 20147.
