Purcellville, VA – January 7, 2026 – BetterALife, a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing food insecurity among children in Loudoun County, is proud to announce the opening of its new location at 201 North Maple Avenue, Unit E. This expansion comes in response to the growing demand for its services and reaffirms the organization’s long-term commitment to ensuring that no child goes hungry.
Founded in 2016, BetterALife began with a simple yet urgent mission: to pay off overdue school lunch accounts in Loudoun County and ensure that children in need could eat at school. Elizabeth M. Ford, the CEO of BetterALife, emphasized that their efforts are deeply rooted in lived experiences and the vital lessons learned from years of supporting children and families facing hardship.
“Our journey started as an immediate response to a pressing need and has evolved into a comprehensive support system,” Ford explained. “Having grown up in poverty with a single mother who dealt with severe depression, I understand how easily children can be overlooked when systems are strained.”
BetterALife currently operates three core programs aimed at addressing various aspects of food insecurity and educational support. The first program, Growth For A Life, functions as an unrestricted food pantry and offers door-to-door food delivery in low-income communities. Additionally, it supplies schools with food bags for students who arrive hungry or require meals over the weekends.
One powerful story highlights the impact of this program at Loudoun County High School. A teacher noticed a student who seemed pale and withdrawn. After learning he had not eaten for nearly 24 hours, staff provided him with a food bag, which significantly improved his day. “Stories like this remind us that many teens experience food insecurity silently,” Ford shared.
The second program, Inspire A Life, encourages academic support through a weekly homework club and mentoring initiative held every Tuesday evening during the school year. Participants receive not only academic assistance but also a hot dinner and guidance on college and career options. Ford’s own journey, which included leaving school in ninth grade and later obtaining a bachelor’s degree, has shaped her dedication to ensuring that children are not left to navigate their future alone.
In addition, Inspire A Life offers summer STEM programming filled with educational field trips and guest speakers, including an exciting tour of the White House last summer for students to learn about history and civic leadership.
The third initiative, Cook For A Life, tackles the vital skill of cooking. Ford, who learned to cook at 21 due to limited access to food in her childhood, is passionate about teaching children kitchen safety, nutrition, and cooking healthy meals through monthly classes. These classes foster life skills while introducing new foods and building confidence.
With the move to the new, larger facility, BetterALife can now welcome approximately 40 students each week to the homework club and has served over 10,000 children and families in 2025 alone.
To celebrate the new location, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on January 28, 2026, at 11:00 AM. This date holds special significance for Ford, as it is also her birthday. “It feels like a gift made possible by community support and shared responsibility,” she said.
The new space is currently under development, featuring a mural decorated with handprints from children in the homework club, painted by a talented volunteer as part of her senior capstone project at Loudoun Valley High School.
Ford expressed gratitude for the community’s involvement and support. “We would be honored to have you join us or to provide any additional information you may need.”
The BetterALife food pantry and its initiatives continue to create positive change in the community, one meal and educational opportunity at a time.
For further information or to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony, please contact Elizabeth Ford at BetterALife, located at 201 N. Maple Ave, Unit F, Purcellville, VA 20132.