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McLean Food for Neighbors has expanded beyond shelf-stable donations, launching its first monthly grocery pop-up as organizers report that the number of students needing food has doubled or even tripled compared with previous years.

The new effort debuted Sunday, one day after the organization held its bimonthly food drive. During those drives, participating families fill red bags with donations and leave them outside for members of the McLean Food for Neighbors club to collect.

Volunteers then sort the food into categories before bringing it back to McLean, sophomore Karina Matalia said.

Founded in January 2023, the club traditionally received nonperishable items such as canned goods, crackers and granola bars. A new partnership with Wegmans now allows it to offer fresh and perishable groceries, including milk, cheese, meat and other sources of protein.

Science teacher and club sponsor Erika Senegar said she spent nearly a year and a half pursuing connections with Wegmans before the organization was approved as one of the company’s food rescuers.

At Sunday’s inaugural grocery pop-up, student volunteers collected Wegmans donations, organized the groceries into boxes and distributed them to local families.

Before the event, the club contacted recipients to estimate demand. Organizers initially planned to prepare two dozen boxes but increased the total to 32, Senegar said.

Any food left after a distribution is taken elsewhere before it spoils. Following Sunday’s event, Senegar delivered two or three large boxes and four to six bags of food to Colmore Church. Some surplus donations also go to Luther Jackson Middle School, which has an active pantry serving a student population with significant needs.

The expansion comes as mass government layoffs have placed greater pressure on families in the area. Senegar said this year’s increase in students seeking food is unlike anything the club has previously experienced.

Beyond supplying groceries, organizers are trying to reduce the stigma associated with asking for help. Families can receive food without presenting identification or answering questions.

“The federal fallout situation showed us that everybody needed it,” Senegar said. “So it’s not anything to be ashamed of.”

For participating students, the program also offers a direct way to serve their neighbors.

“It’s doing something good for the community and for people that are underprivileged,” Matalia said. “I feel like I’m a part of something bigger than just myself.”