2021 MLK Power Pack Program - Agudas Achim of Northern Virginia

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2021 MLK Day of Service: Power Pack Program

Monday, January 18, 2021 | 10 AM-12 PM | 5-7 PM

For MLK Day of Service 2021 the Social Action Committee is inviting the community to join together and provide sustenance for food insecure students in our area.

Many elementary school students in our area have very little to eat between their Friday school lunch and Monday school breakfast. The Power Pack Program of Food For Others, provides these children with food to take home and eat over the weekend.

Please fill large (one- or two-gallon) Ziploc bags with 2 breakfast items, 2 lunch items, and 2 dinner items, plus 2 snacks and 2 healthy beverages. (See suggestions on this page.)

Bring your packed Ziplock bags to the Agudas Achim parking lot on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 18, at the designated times. Drop your packed bags into an open trunk or van for no-contact drop off.

Please sign up so we can have a rough idea of how many Power Packs to plan for.

Let’s fill the van.

Members of the Social Action Committee will deliver the Power Packs to Food for Others.

Wed, October 22 2025
30 Tishrei 5786

What is a Power Pack?

A Power Pack is a two-gallon sealable bag filled with 2 breakfast items, 2 lunch items, and 2 dinner items, plus 2 snacks and 2 healthy beverages for children to eat over a weekend when they are not receiving school meals and do not have adequate resources at home.

Power Pack suggested items:

breakfast
oatmeal packets
cereal (individual sizes)
granola bars
Nutri Grain Bars

lunch/dinner
mac & cheese (individual sizes)
chili
tuna/chicken salad
individual pastas

snacks
granola or cereal bars
fruit cups (not in syrup)
cheese & crackers

healthy beverages
single serving boxed milk
single serving 100% juice

Please DO NOT include anything with
peanut butter, candy, Poptarts, Vienna sausages, glass containers, applesauce with foil lids.

Please make healthy choices.

1,300 Power Packs Donated

On Monday, January 18, 2021, for MLK Day of Service 2021, more than 95 members of Agudas Achim Congregation in Alexandria, VA, along with friends, neighbors and partners from Alfred Street Baptist Church Social Justice Ministry, the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom Arlington Chapter, neighbors, and Burgundy Farms school joined together for an MLK DAY OF SERVICE POWER PACK PROGRAM.

We collected, assembled and delivered 3,620 pounds – approximately 1,300 Power Packs with 13 teen volunteers, 11 adult volunteers and filled 11 mini-vans.

Put Words Into Action

On the Sixth Night of Chanukah, Suzy Smith led the Agudas Achim community candlelighting as we rededicated ourselves to Tikkun Olam and Tzedakah. She so eloquently said:

"Tonight, many Jewish communities honor the 6th night of Hanukkah by naming the 6th candle, Ner Shel Tzedakah (Candle of Righteousness), which reflects a commitment to learning about the problem of poverty and helping others. As we light this Ner Shel Tzedakah tonight, we pray that its light will shine into the dark corners of our world, bringing relief to those suffering from the indignity and pain that accompany poverty. As you participate with us, may we all think about how we can offer support to those in need. May our acts of generosity inspire others to join with us in the fight against hunger and homelessness. Together, let us in the spirit of Tikkun Olam work for a better future for everyone struggling during this difficult year."

Please help us turn these words into action.