ECHO needs your help and support!
ECHO (Ecumenical Community Helping Others) is an organization staffed by volunteers from local churches and organizations which provides temporary or emergency assistance, including food, clothing, household items, transportation and financial support to about 1,500 Springfield and Burke families each year. Nativity Parish supports ECHO.
ECHO Fall Yard Sale
Join the fun of a treasure hunt and help the community at the same time! Proceeds support ECHO’s work.
When: November 1 | 8:00 am–12:00 pm noon
Where: Gym of St. Bernadette’s | 7602 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield
ECHO Holiday Programs
Help make Thanksgiving brighter for local families in need! ECHO’s Holiday Meal Program provides groceries or gift cards so more than 350 families can enjoy a festive holiday meal in November or December. Generous donors are matched directly with families, creating a personal and meaningful way to share the holiday spirit. Groceries should be delivered, or cards should be mailed to arrive, by November 22. If you’re interested in finding out more, email Fran Eck at franalaneck@msn.com.
The ECHO elves are busily planning the Holiday Gift Shop. ECHO needs donations no later than December 5 of new toys (not gift-wrapped, please) for children ages 0-15. Donors may bring toys to our Donation Door during our hours of operation. As an alternative, gifts may be chosen from our Amazon Gift Wish List to be shipped directly to ECHO. Popular gifts include baby dolls, scooters with helmets, soccer balls (sizes 3,4,5), riding toys, and family board games.
Upcoming Food Drives
Nativity supports ECHO and holds a monthly ECHO Food Drive.
2025 Scouting for Food | You may be on a local troop’s collection route! On November 1, Scouts will deliver notices to homes in their community with details about the annual food drive. Then, on November 8, they’ll return to collect donated bags or boxes of food and deliver them to local food banks and pantries.
Donation Note: Due to food safety and handling guidelines, ECHO must distribute food in the manufacturer’s packaging. We cannot accept donations repackaged from bulk food items. “Regular” sizes work best for us.
People who would be willing to hold a food drive in their organization, congregation, or neighborhood should contact echofoodroom@gmail.com
How to Hold a Food DriveECHO Clothing and Houseware Needs
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- Clean winter coats in good condition, all sizes
- Children’s winter clothes, all sizes
- Infant clothing, 0-6 month
- Children’s sneakers, all sizes
- Men’s sneakers, size 7, 8, & 9
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- Blankets
- Towels
- Large Pots & Pans
Used items that are clean and in good repair are welcome—except for underwear and socks (these must be new). Scroll below to see when and where you can donate items.
Donate Directly to ECHO
Donate directly to ECHO’s Food Pantry, Clothing Room and Housewares Department. A current list of needs is always posted at www.echo-inc.org
ECHO is open to accept donations Monday–Friday, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and also on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings, 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Please drive to the west side of the building and stop at the Donation Door where volunteers will assist with your donation and offer written receipts.
Address: 7205 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, VA 22150
Needed Items
Donate Online
Donate financial assistance to help with rent and utility payments and fresh food coupons. Monetary donations can be made to ECHO, Inc. online or by check payable to ECHO and mailed to ECHO, Inc. 7205 Old Keene Mill Road Springfield, VA 22150. Include your name and address to receive a tax receipt.
Shop for ECHO on Amazon by visiting the ECHO Wishlist for a variety of items needed by ECHO’s Food and Clothing Departments. In order to assure deliveries when ECHO is closed, please choose the delivery address: ECHO c/o A King in Alexandria VA
Amazon WishlistVolunteer at ECHO
Currently, ECHO is looking for
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- Volunteer who understands sewing and knitting | Sorting donated sewing materials; pricing Yard Sale items; assembling small sewing kits; check donated sewing machines for functionality (optional). Work can be done at home or at ECHO.
- One or more volunteers who would enjoy gathering information and writing stories about ECHO.
- Volunteer openings in Clothing on Wednesday mornings and Tuesday evenings
- Volunteer openings in Food on Thursday evenings
- Volunteer openings in Housewares on Tuesday evenings
- Counselor on Friday mornings
- Spanish speaking counselor on Tuesday mornings
To learn more, or find a position that fits your interests and talents, email VolunteerCoordinator@