Nonprofit serves thousands as food insecurity grows in Northern Virginia

LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. (7News) — For the past couple of years, Christina Engle has been volunteering from a unique space at Dulles Town Center. But there’s nothing for sale at this storefront, free food prepared alongside a healthy serving of emotional support.

“We always have fresh produce,” said Engle.

Entrepreneur Nupur Panjabi founded Anna Sudha Community Kitchens to address a pressing need: many people suffering in a country teeming with excess.

“Anna means food, and Sudha means nectar of love. Our mission is to spread love through food. This is my way of just trying to make a difference,” said Panjabi.

This community kitchen has been around for only a few years, but due to demand, it produces and delivers an average of 6,500 meals a month from a 2,000-square-foot space in the Dulles Town Center.

Panjabi said her business model works because of a surrounding community willing to donate not only money but also time. Almost everyone associated with this non-profit is a volunteer, like Christina Engle.

“I was homeless for about a year and a half, me and my family,” added Engle.

For Engle, a life of struggle inspired her to be here for others.

Engle said, “A lot of people don’t have relatives or anything like that for the holidays, so when they come in, we make them feel special, and loved, and wanted.”

The need, according to Panjabi, has actually deepened due to recent economic challenges in the region.

“They’re making barely enough money to pay their rent and keep their cars. They don’t have money to buy food, so that’s where we come in,” said Panjabi.

For Panjabi, food is merely an ingredient in a much larger narrative: caring for those who don’t have much in a unique space defined by love.

“It’s very natural for a human being to be judgmental and to get rid of those judgments, that is the journey,” concluded Panjabi.