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Repeated vandalism has damaged the free food and hygiene pantries outside Emmaus United Church of Christ in Vienna, but church leaders say the community resources will remain open.

The cabinets have endured scattered supplies, broken or missing doors and other damage since they were installed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Repairs sometimes take them temporarily out of service, yet the church continues stocking them for anyone who needs help.

“It’s our gospel,” said the Rev. Dr. Kristen McBrayer, Emmaus’ senior minister, invoking the biblical call to feed hungry people and welcome strangers. She said meaningful work is not always easy, but the church intends to keep going.

Vienna police responded to the church at 900 Maple Avenue East on the morning of May 10 after an unknown person damaged two community pantry cabinets and removed a doorbell camera overnight. Officers collected surveillance video and documented the destruction.

Another food-pantry door was torn off May 18. It was quickly repaired and reattached.

McBrayer said it is unclear whether one person or several people have caused the damage over the pantries’ five-plus years of operation. Not every mess was human-made: A security camera recently captured a raccoon entering a cabinet that had not been fully latched and scattering its contents across the sidewalk.

Church leaders do not believe the vandalism is aimed at Emmaus because of its progressive positions, including its public support for immigrants and the LGBTQ community. Based partly on a person identified with police assistance, they believe at least some incidents may involve people experiencing homelessness, instability or a moment of crisis.

McBrayer said frustration can arise when a pantry is empty or lacks the items someone wants.

Police increase monitoring

Vienna police have received three property-damage calls involving the pantries over the past year: the May 10 and May 18 incidents and another on May 27, 2025.

The person responsible for the latest incidents has been identified, police spokesperson PFC Irving Rodriguez said. Officers are working with church leaders, increasing their presence and continuing to monitor the area.

Emmaus reports cases involving major damage but does not want to pursue criminal charges that could bring jail time or fines and worsen the circumstances of someone experiencing homelessness.

The church nevertheless wants the destruction to end. McBrayer said damaged cabinets prevent Emmaus from providing food to the community, including to the people who may be responsible.

Church leaders could ask police to bar individuals from the property, but doing so would also cut off their access to the pantries.

Emmaus has instead reinforced the cabinets with stronger, spring-loaded hinges that help the doors close and a sturdier latch intended to keep animals out.

After neighbors raised concerns about trash reaching the street and nearby properties, the pantries were moved from the corner of Maple Avenue and Westbriar Drive to a median in the church parking lot. McBrayer said the new location makes it easier for the church to clean up and remain considerate of its neighbors.

Rodriguez encouraged residents, businesses and community groups to report suspicious activity directly to police instead of posting about it on social media, allowing officers to assess events as they happen. Emergencies should be reported to 911, while the department’s non-emergency number is 703-255-6366.

He said community pantry programs are important to many residents and that officers will continue checking the location during regular patrols.

Demand surges in 2026

The Emmaus Youth Group installed the first Little Free Pantry in September 2020 with a $500 grant from the Potomac Association, which supports United Church of Christ congregations across the Washington region.

After COVID-19 canceled mission trips and other youth activities, the group redirected unspent money toward addressing rising food insecurity. The outdoor cabinet allowed people to receive assistance without entering a building or gathering in crowds.

In 2022, James Madison High School students offered to construct a second cabinet for menstrual products. The original “Period Pantry” later expanded into a broader hygiene pantry carrying soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, first-aid supplies, face masks and socks, as well as menstrual products.

Pantry use declined after the pandemic’s first months but began soaring again around the start of 2026, according to McBrayer, who cited rising local unemployment and high prices.

On some days, donors refill an emptied food pantry as many as eight times. On one recent morning, both cabinets were full at about 9 a.m. and completely cleared by approximately 11:30 a.m.

Community donations have kept pace with the increased demand. Residents regularly stop to restock the cabinets, while a Front Royal man sends enough pads and tampons every quarter to keep the hygiene pantry supplied nearly continuously.

McBrayer said many donors have no connection to Emmaus but remain deeply committed to helping their neighbors.