For those of us who live in Loudoun and Fauquier counties, one of our greatest glories, and one of our deepest shames, are both embodied in an organization named for a miracle: Seven Loaves.

The glory of Seven Loaves, of course, lies in the work that it does and the people it brings together to fund and carry on that work. They feed the hungry, or at least as many as they can reach and feed.

They also run a small "clothes closet," a service that has faced growing demands in the face of some of our unseasonably cold weather.

A vast majority of the people served by Seven Loaves come from Loudoun and Fauquier counties, but some (as many as 10% of their customers, at times, come from Clarke, Warren, Frederick Shenandoah, Page, Rappahannock, Cupleper and Stafford counties.

The shame embodied in the miracle, of course, lies in both in the fact that the need for it exists at all (in one of the richest parts of the one of the richest countries in all human history.) The organization and its volunteers have often been praised.

They need and deserve our most generous support.

Seven Loaves needs food, clothes, money and folks willing to donate their time.

All are appreciated. All will be well used.