September Newsletter
September is Hunger Action Month!
It’s Hunger Action Month and across the nation organizations are bringing awareness to the food insecurity that exists in their communities.
At Tree of Life, our Food Branch works to help families through grocery deliveries, community dinners, and fresh food boxes. During the first half of 2026, we have impacted nearly 10,000 individuals through these ministries across Loudoun, Fauquier, and Clarke counties.
The support of the local community is vital to our efforts to reach out to those who are hungry in our area… your food and financial donations, volunteer hours, and help spreading awareness make a difference every day!
We’ll be sharing more on social media about the need in our region and how Tree of Life is making an impact, so please be sure to follow us.
Learn more about our Food Branch!
Annual Summer Giveaway
We had the privilege of serving over 750 individuals on August 8th, during our Annual Summer Giveaway, hosted at Purcellville Baptist Church, with the first families lining up at 4am!
Each person shopped through neatly folded, organized, high-quality clothing, prepared during 60+ hours of work under Yvette Perry and her army of volunteers.
Most importantly, we shared the message of the Gospel and that every gift we offered was in His name.
Here are the highlights:
- The Gideons gave out 284 Bibles, and all attendees heard the Gospel message.
- 775 received clothing.
- 720 children received backpacks filled with school supplies.
- 32 received free haircuts.
- Breakfast was served to all those waiting in line.
- Families received hygiene kits and info on local health resources.
- Two full PODs of furniture were given away.
- PBC Dwell youth group organized sports and games for the all the kids.
None of this would have been possible without the extraordinary generosity of our volunteers, donors, churches, community partners, and supporters who gave their time, resources, and energy to make this week happen.
We are so grateful for the wonderful community that makes this event such a success every year!
PHOTO CREDIT: Wildlight Photography
TOPGOLF Fundraiser – Thank You!
We are so grateful for the amazing turnout and support for our annual TOPGOLF fundraiser! With 120 participants and over $8000 raised – it was our biggest year yet!
Thank you to our amazing sponsors who made this possible:
Event Sponsor – Olivia’s Pet Services
Food Sponsor – Intalustech.com
Bay Sponsors – AllTech Services, Inc. Bank of Clarke, Chambers Theory Property Management, and Onelife Fitness Ashburn…. Onelife even donated a FREE one-month membership that we raffled off to a lucky attendee!
Many thanks to the team at TopGolf that helped make this such a wonderful event!
We are so thankful for God’s continued blessing in helping us reach out to new supporters as we serve those in need in our community.
Volunteer Highlight
This month, we are highlighting two incredibly faithful volunteers… Clyde and Lynda Carr!
Clyde and Lynda have been volunteering with Tree of Life since 2017, starting with our community garden. Since then, they have answered the call each time they’ve been asked to lean in more… volunteering for our food pantries, picking up food from local grocery stores, and most recently helping to teach at our nursing home Bible studies.
When asked, they will tell you that God is the one that brought them to Tree of Life and they haven’t looked back since. Their faithfulness and willingness to serve is inspiring and we are so grateful for their commitment.
Thank you, Clyde and Lynda, for being the hands and feet of Jesus in all you do!
Donor Spotlight
This month we are so grateful for Yahoo and their commitment to fighting hunger in local communities.
For the last three years, their local offices have selected Tree of Life’s Western Loudoun Food Pantry for their service project – gathering a list of food needs from our pantry and purchasing thousands of pounds of food to donate. Last year they even expanded their assistance to our Eastern Loudoun Pantry, making an even bigger impact!
They will be back this September to do it again and we are so grateful.
Thank you, Yahoo team!
2027 Community Dinner Schedule
The sign up for our 2027 Community Dinners is now posted on the web! Check it out soon at the button below to get your preferred dates.
You can also help us spread the word by sharing with others who might be interested in getting involved. We are always in need of new host groups – especially in Leesburg and Sterling.
If it’s your first time signing up – don’t worry! Our ministry leaders will reach out before your dinner date to make sure you have all the information you need and help you through the process.
We hope you’ll join us and help show love to your neighbors in need!
Regular Volunteering
Thinking of getting more involved? We’d love to have you join us as a regular volunteer!
We ask all new volunteers to attend our Volunteer Introduction Program, which provides an overview of our ministry areas and how you can plug in. These sessions are held every month in multiple locations – just click the link below for more info!
Already attended a VIP but haven’t plugged in yet? Email our regional coordinator, William, with any questions and to get the link to our current volunteer opportunities: wnunaley@tolministries.org.
Golf Tournament
Join us for a day on the green to support Tree of Life Ministries! Enjoy great golf, community, and a chance to make a difference.
Sponsorship opportunities are available—a great way to promote your business while giving back.
More information and registration is at the link below!
Annual Golf Tournament – Tree of Life
Race With A Cause
Lace up those sneakers… it’s time to #racewithacause!
Our third annual 5k for Shelter is October 17th at Patrick Henry College in Purcellville! This fun, community event welcomes runners (and walkers) of all ages and abilities to come out, enjoy some fresh air, and make a difference for those in need.
All proceeds from this event support Tree of Life’s Shelter Branch, which provides transitional housing, mentoring, clothing, and more to people struggling to make ends meet right here in our community.
Not a runner? You can still make an impact! Sign up to VOLUNTEER or SPONSOR! All the info is at the button below.
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL THROUGH SEPTEMBER 18th!
Still Waters Events
Our calendar for fall and winter 2026 is now available! We have so many great opportunities coming up, we hope you’ll join us.
Here are a few highlights for September:
- Hearts in Motion (9/9) (formerly called Zumba)
- Ice Cream Social (9/14)
- Movie and Art Night (9/18)
Make sure you are signed up for our text alerts so you get all the updates – use the link below to go to our Still Waters page and download the calendar.
FEEDING THE LEAST OF THESE
Jesus had just received the terrible news that His relative and friend, John the Baptist, had been executed. He withdrew by boat to a solitary place, but the crowds followed Him. Even in His own grief, Jesus saw their needs. Matthew tells us:
“When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them.”Matthew 14:14
As evening approached, the disciples became concerned:
“This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
But Jesus answered: “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”Matthew 14:15–16
The disciples did not yet understand the incredible lesson Jesus was about to teach them. They saw thousands of hungry people and only five loaves of bread and two fish. They saw what they lacked, but Jesus knew what He could do with what they placed in His hands.
Jesus directed the people to sit on the grass. Then He took the loaves and fish, looked toward heaven, and gave thanks. The disciples distributed the food, and everyone ate until they were satisfied. Jesus fed five thousand men, in addition to the women and children, and twelve baskets of food remained.
This message was not only for the disciples two thousand years ago. It still speaks to us today. Jesus calls us to see people with His compassion and to place what we have in His hands. No gift is too small and no act of service is insignificant when it is offered to Him.
Jesus later said: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.”
When His followers asked, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you?” Jesus replied: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”Matthew 25:35–40
Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus. Whether you donate money or food, pack bags, stock shelves, make deliveries, welcome families, pray with someone, or serve in one of the many other ways that make this ministry possible, you are sharing the compassion of Jesus Christ.
When you serve someone in need, you are serving Jesus.
May you be blessed,
Chaplain Wayne Ruckman
