By: George Wang
On Sunday, November 2, I had the privilege of participating in a Special Food Distribution Day organized by So What Else as part of their Federal Worker Relief Program. The event took place at the Food Rescue Bank, located at 4924 Wyaconda Rd, North Bethesda, MD, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The goal of this initiative was to support federal employees and contractors affected by the government shutdown by providing them with fresh food, essential supplies, and hot meals prepared with care and love.
As a proud member of CYOC, I joined my peers and more than 70 volunteers to serve the community with energy, teamwork, and a shared sense of purpose. Everyone had an important role to play, and together we worked tirelessly to make the event a success. Some volunteers directed traffic, ensuring that cars moved safely and efficiently through the distribution area. Others spent hours packing boxes of fresh produce and loading cars with groceries and supplies. Most of us, including myself, focused on preparing and serving hot meals to furloughed workers and their families, making sure every guest felt welcomed, supported, and cared for.
The atmosphere was filled with positivity, compassion, and love. Even though it was a long and busy day, everyone’s spirits remained high. Volunteers worked side by side, sharing smiles, encouragement, and laughter. Each person who arrived to pick up food left not only with full bags but also with a renewed sense of hope. Seeing the gratitude and relief on the faces of the families reminded me how powerful kindness can be—especially during times of hardship.
This event was particularly meaningful to me because my whole family participated. Working together to serve others deepened our appreciation for community and compassion. We wanted to show our support for those affected by the shutdown—many of whom were our friends, neighbors, and even parents of classmates. Knowing that our small actions could bring comfort and dignity to others filled my heart with pride, love, and gratitude.
By the end of the day, it was clear that our collective efforts had made a real difference. So What Else’s Furloughed Federal Worker Food Drive turned out to be an overwhelming success, even catching the attention of the local news. So What Else was featured on NBC4 that evening, highlighting the incredible impact made possible through the generosity of our community.
“Thanks to your incredible generosity and the hard work of over 70 dedicated volunteers, today’s Furlough Federal Worker Food Drive was a resounding success! In just one day, we provided essential groceries and support to 500 federal workers and their families affected by the furlough. Your support ensured that during a time of uncertainty, our community’s federal employees felt seen, supported, and nourished. This was a powerful demonstration of what we can achieve when we come together.”
Hearing those words and seeing our teamwork recognized on the news filled me with immense pride and joy. It reminded me that when people unite with compassion and purpose, we can accomplish truly extraordinary things.
Through this experience, I learned that community service is more than just volunteering—it is an act of love and solidarity. It means standing together in times of hardship, lending a helping hand, and showing empathy to those in need. The Food Distribution Day was not just about handing out food; it was about restoring hope, dignity, and connection within our community.
I am deeply grateful to So What Else, my fellow CYOC members, and my family for their dedication, teamwork, and generous spirit. This event reaffirmed my belief in the power of kindness and cooperation. It was truly a day of love, unity, and service—one that I will always remember as a shining example of what a caring community can achieve when we come together.
Website Editor: Grace Yan
华府青年 CYOC 
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