New refrigerator and freezer means healthier food for the poor 

For Immediate Release
August 21, 2018

MANASSAS, Va. – St. Lucy Food Project, a food warehouse in Manassas serving the underprivileged in Northern Virginia, obtained a commercial walk-in refrigerator and freezer.  And today, the fridge and freezer were blessed by Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of the Diocese of Arlington. 

Up until now, the warehouse provided only perishable foods on a limited basis, but thanks to these new additions, the St. Lucy Food Project will offer fresh produce, dairy products, and meat to more than 40,000 people in more than 50 food pantries.

The refrigerator measures 18’ x 21’ x 16’ high, and the freezer, 18’ x 15’x 10’ high. “The refrigerator will allow a forklift to fill 18 pallet locations and the freezer to hold approximately 15,000 to 20,000 lbs. of meats,” says Vince Cannava, Program Director and Food Source Developer for the St. Lucy Project.  Cannava also says the refrigerator and freezer were made possible thanks to the extraordinary generosity of a family committed to feeding needy families, other individuals, and grass-roots support from parish-based groups and several Knights of Columbus councils. 

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About Catholic Charities, Catholic Diocese of Arlington
Catholic Charities is the charitable arm of the Catholic Church in the 21 counties and seven cities of the Diocese of Arlington under the leadership of Bishop Michael F. Burbidge.  Catholic Charities serves the poor and vulnerable who live in the Diocese, whether or not they are Catholic. Catholic Charities services include food for the hungry, a free medical clinic , transformational housing for men and families, individual and family counseling, emergency financial aid, immigration and refugee services, job training and workforce development, prison ministry and former prisoner re-entry program.