FINDING FAMILIES TO FEED FAMILIES

What began at the start of the lockdown as a way to help DC area families struggling with access to food has become a nonprofit organization operating in 14 cities, delivering 700,000 meals, and mobilizing thousands of volunteers around the country and in Puerto Rico.

At the beginning of the pandemic, friends of the Marshalls dropped off groceries at their driveway, and the family would deliver the bags to families in need that Amanda Marshall identified through local nonprofit organizations. Within one month, a full weekly operation was underway, with collections and deliveries in many locations. One welcome surprise was the number of students taking the initiative to collect, sort, and deliver.

“This was a way for kids to do something active when we were all otherwise stuck at home, while also making a positive impact,” says Amanda Marshall.

launched by Reese Finnell ’22 and Robbie Lee ’22. Collections also expanded to include health and hygiene items.

“Our source philanthropy model made it easy for new clubs to form and modify the idea to work for each community,” Amanda Marshall explains. “Students could easily take ownership of the project.” regularly. With the support of the Landon community, the club has delivered more than 52,000 meals to families in need since it started two years ago. Learn more about Conrad’s President’s Service Award on page 20.

Fifty clubs around the country now operate at the middle school, high school, and college levels. Even as the pandemic shifts, Amanda Marshall expects continued growth as food insecurity remains a critical issue in far too many communities. The program has also addressed other emergency needs, including assisting immigrants from Afghanistan and Ukraine.

For more information, visit families4families.org or email Conrad at conrad_brady@ landon.net.

The Marshall Family (top) is the founders of Families4Families. Landon held events to gather groceries and household items for families in need throughout the year, including on Halloween and Valentine’s Day.

By September of 2020, the organization became a formal 501(c)(3) nonprofit to enable donations and continue to grow. Student clubs began forming at schools, and each club partnered with a community nonprofit to address specific needs.

Landon’s F4F Student Club was one of the organization’s first,

“This brought needs to light and harnessed incredible energy and enthusiasm from young leaders,” says Amanda Marshall. “Now these kids will go into the world seeking out ways to continue to make an impact and turn things around for our neighbors in need. Done once, it’s hard to stop. This is creating the next generation of changemakers.

I’ve never been more optimistic about our future.”

Conrad Brady ’23 now leads the Landon F4F Student Club, and at least 20 students volunteer to collect, sort, and deliver groceries