The idea for our organization came to Christine when she joined the PTA at Gunston Elementary School.
Realizing there was a real need to help clothe and feed the youth of the Lorton area, her idea took shape.
When we began forming, there was consistent help from local churches most notably, Cranford United Methodist and Shiloh Baptist.
These churches, as well as many others who would soon join, collected food items and clothing for LCIC to distribute.
From Information to Action!
On January 9th, 1978 LCIC become LCAC.
This name change was to describe the goals and evolving services of the organization.
The services we offered back in the early days look similar to many of the ones that are still offered today.
Back then LCAC offered
– Emergency referrals for services
– Emergency food help
– A thrift shop
– An inventory of human services
Before LCAC was in the Lorton Community Center and before we were in the yellow “Herbstreith House”, LCAC was housed on the grounds of Gunston Elementary School, where in December of 1978, construction of a small new building on the school property began.
For years Lorton did not have a library only a Fairfax County Library Book Mobile that visited Lorton every Tuesday. In between Book Mobile runs people could request books to be dropped off at LCAC, but this was not a permanent solution.
In 1980, the Engleside Library relocated to the Williamsburg Square shopping center in Lorton. The new Lorton Library Storefront (aka Lorton Mini Library) finally provided a physical location for residents of Lorton to borrow books.
This was a result of 4 years of work by LCAC, passionate locals, the Fairfax County Library Board and the Board of Supervisors.
After years of searching LCAC found a location to centralize their operation. It was the “Murphy Property”, located along Route 1 in Lorton.
Using a $94,000 block grant as down payment and reaching an agreement with Fairfax County, the Board of Supervisors, and the County Library Board, LCAC received rights to half of the property. The second half of land went to the Library Board for construction of a library in Lorton.
LCAC used other block grant funds to renovate the location. And continued their work in the “Butler Building” at Gunston Hall Elementary until they moved into the new house in September of 1984.
This is the land LCAC, the Lorton Library, and the Community Center sits on today.
In partnership with Fairfax County Library and Park Authority the Lorton Library began construction on the Murphy Property sometime in 1987. With a grand opening April 6th, 1990.
After the retirement of Christine Herbstreith, LCAC found itself in need of an Executive Director.
Jeanine Deem Purdy was hired as a part-time Executive Director in 1993 and was LCAC’s first paid employee.
Have something to share about LCAC’s history? Email Sofia@LortonAction.org to share your stories.
Special thank you to Joshua Henry, Director of Nutrition, for compiling much of LCAC’s History.
LCAC provides food, clothing, emergency financial assistance and outreach programs to southeastern Fairfax County.
Monday – Friday:
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Monday – Friday:
8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Monday – Wednesday:
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday – Friday:
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday:
11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
