Collections and Outreach for Veterans and Families
Here at Gleaning For The World we are amazed at how quickly this year has moved. As we enter the final months of 2025 our team is organizing community collections and meaningful outreaches that serve neighbors across Central Virginia. From honoring veterans to comforting children to preparing for the holidays, this season brings some of our most impactful work, and we are excited to share how you can be part of it.
Honoring our Heroes
Our annual collection for area veterans is underway. We collect essential supplies from the community through families, churches, businesses, and civic groups, then partner with local veteran organizations to distribute those items where they are needed most. Warm clothing, personal care items, nonperishable food, patient activity items, and sturdy backpacks all make a practical difference. Over the past year your generosity helped veterans at risk of homelessness, those receiving care in regional facilities, and participants in Honor Flight trips. There is more to do, and your support reminds these men and women that they are not forgotten.
Teddy Bear Brigade
Our Teddy Bear Brigade brings comfort to children facing difficult moments. New or gently loved small and medium stuffed animals are especially helpful for first responders, hospitals, and family support agencies. A single stuffed friend can calm fear in a crisis and become a lasting reminder that someone cares.
Christmas Joy Begins Now
Planning for our largest annual outreach started at the beginning of this month. Working with churches, schools, and community centers, we identify families who could use extra support during the holidays. Our Christmas distribution always includes gifts for the little ones such as toys, games, and stuffed animals so children in our community can experience the joy of the season. Every donation represents more than a present under the tree. It is a message of care for a family’s well being.
While these projects move forward we remain ready to respond when disaster strikes. We have entered the peak of the 2025 hurricane season, and our team is prepared to act quickly as needs arise.
None of this happens without friends like you. Gleaning is more than gathering surplus. It is about providing hope, preserving dignity, and strengthening community. Whether you give financially, volunteer, or donate needed items, you join a network of compassion that reaches farther than any one of us could on our own. Please contact us if you would like to support our October initiatives or learn how to get involved. Together we can ensure that no one faces life’s challenges alone.
In service and partnership,
