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Our History

The Falls Church Community Service Council, Inc. (FCS) was established in 1969 with the mission of providing emergency support to neighbors in need in Falls Church through our food pantry and emergency financial assistance programs.

FCS is a small but mighty operation that is supported by community partners. FCS is supported by a wide variety of community partners.  FCS has served the greater Falls Church area for over 50 years, helping our neighbors stay fed, avoid eviction, and know that their community will support them in tough times.

man holding red heart on blue background

 FCS began as a vision of Orville Splitt, a layman at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, and Bill Nies, his Pastor, who were aware…….and the Falls Church Community Service Council was born, offering emergency transportation, food, and housing assistance.

FCS began as a vision of Orville Splitt, a layman at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and his Pastor, Bill Nies who were aware of the needs of the poor and disadvantaged in the Falls Church area. They believed that faith communities, working together, could provide services to fill gaps in the social safety net. In June of 1969, eleven faith communities responded to the call and the Falls Church Community Service Council was born. The original program offered emergency transportation, food, and housing assistance.

By 1971, FCS had added three additional programs:  Meals on Wheels delivery; the Seven Corners Children’s Center, providing quality, low-cost childcare; and the Food Pantry at Knox Presbyterian Church, supplying food to the hungry in the greater Falls Church area.  In 1972, a clothing closet was launched with volunteers sorting and mending donated clothing for those in need and a central treasury was established with member faith communities providing funds for FCS programs.

FCS was officially incorporated as a nonprofit in 1973, and the furniture program, which picked up donated furniture and delivered it to those in need, began in 1975.  By the mid 1980’s, Fairfax County saw the need for a permanent shelter for the homeless, and, with the encouragement and assistance of FCS partners, the Bailey’s Shelter was established.  Under the sponsorship of FCS, a transitional housing program, Homestretch, was organized in 1990.  In 1996, the Falls Church Winter Shelter was established under the FCS corporate structure.  To support the outreach ministries of faith community partners, in 2001 a voucher program for clothing, meals, and transportation was established.  The Seven Corners Children’s Center and Homestretch are now independent corporate entities.

FCS was officially incorporated as a nonprofit in 1973, and the furniture program, which picked up donated furniture and delivered it to those in need, began in 1975.  By the mid 1980’s, Fairfax County saw the need for a permanent shelter for the homeless, and, with the encouragement and assistance of FCS partners, the Bailey’s Shelter was established.  Under the sponsorship of FCS, a transitional housing program, Homestretch, was organized in 1990.  In 1996, the Falls Church Winter Shelter was established under the FCS corporate structure.  To support the outreach ministries of faith community partners, in 2001 a voucher program for clothing, meals, and transportation was established.  The Seven Corners Children’s Center and Homestretch are now independent corporate entities.

Close up team students teamwork stack hands together. Startup, S

Due to decreased demand, FCS discontinued the furniture program.  FCS now provides emergency food assistance through the Food Pantry, and emergency financial assistance for rent and utilities.

FCS operated continuously during the Covid pandemic.  Volunteers safely packed and delivered food, and the office responded to a drastic increase in requests for financial assistance with rent and utilities payments.

The vision of pulling together to serve neighbors in need is as important today as it was in 1969.  FCS continues to grow with the loving support of dedicated volunteers, faith communities, partner organizations, and Falls Church City and Fairfax County government entities.