A few hours of volunteering can make a difference long after an event ends, particularly for families struggling to afford food and students dealing with emotional challenges. More than 100 volunteers came together at George Mason University in Virginia for an initiative that combined food assistance with mental health support, assembling thousands of meal kits and hundreds of resource kits for people across the region.The event was organised by SixDegrees.org, the nonprofit founded by actor Kevin Bacon, in partnership with George Mason University. According to the university’s Office of the Provost, which published details of the initiative on July 29, 2026, the volunteers gathered on the university’s Fairfax Campus on July 19 for a special edition of the organisation’s Building Kits by Kevin Bacon programme. Their collective effort produced 35,000 meal kits for students and families across Northern Virginia and 400 mental health kits for George Mason students.
How the initiative supported students and families
The meal kits were intended to address food insecurity, a challenge that can affect families as well as university students. The partnership developed following discussions about George Mason’s Patriot Pantry, a campus resource that provides food assistance to students facing financial difficulties. Stacy Huston, chief executive officer of SixDegrees.org, said the university’s existing work supporting students made it a natural partner for the initiative.Most of the 35,000 meal kits were scheduled for distribution through Food for Others, a nonprofit organisation serving Fairfax County. Some of the kits were also set aside for George Mason’s Patriot Pantry so students could access assistance directly on campus. The partnership brought together university faculty and staff, alumni, community members and local nonprofit organisations. Rather than limiting the activity to donations, the organisers involved volunteers in preparing the supplies that would eventually reach people who needed them.
Mental health kits offered encouragement and support
Alongside food assistance, volunteers assembled 400 mental health kits in partnership with Find Your Anchor, an organisation focused on suicide prevention and emotional support. The kits included practical resources, encouraging messages and information intended to help people experiencing emotional distress. They were designed to remind recipients that they were not alone and encourage them to seek additional support when needed.George Mason planned to distribute the kits to students throughout the year during mental health, well-being and suicide prevention awareness events. Rachel Wernicke, the university’s chief mental health officer, said the initiative complemented its broader suicide prevention efforts. She highlighted the importance of providing hope and reminding people affected by suicide that support is available.The two types of kits addressed different but connected needs. While meal packages offered practical assistance to people facing food insecurity, mental health kits provided resources and encouragement for students dealing with emotional difficulties.
Partnership also includes research on community well-being
The collaboration between SixDegrees.org and George Mason University extends beyond the volunteer event. Global and community health professor Ali Weinstein is working with the nonprofit on a research project examining how providing tangible forms of support affects both recipients and volunteers. The research will explore whether activities such as distributing mental health kits can influence the well-being of people receiving assistance as well as those participating in the volunteer work.George Mason President Gregory Washington said the partnership reflected the university’s commitment to student well-being beyond academic performance. Vice President for University Life Rose Pascarell also highlighted how cooperation between universities and community organisations can strengthen relationships and encourage community engagement. Kevin Bacon, who founded SixDegrees.org in 2007, thanked the volunteers for their contribution during the event. He described their collective effort with the words, “Action is hope.” Huston said she hoped the collaboration would encourage other communities and organisations to develop similar initiatives.The July event demonstrated how a university, a nonprofit organisation and local volunteers could combine their efforts to address food insecurity and mental health needs. With 35,000 meal kits and 400 mental health kits prepared in a single activation, the partnership aimed to provide practical support while building stronger connections across Northern Virginia.
