Melissa DeAngelo's team delivered more than 7,200 emergency meals to nearly 2,500 children across Fairfax County during January 2026 snow closures, keeping students fed at schools in the Vienna area and beyond.

Now FCPS has recognized her for it. Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) named DeAngelo, director of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), its 2026 Outstanding Non-School-Based Leader at the annual FCPS Honors ceremony. The district profiled her Thursday, Oct. 8.

The award stems largely from the emergency operation DeAngelo led when Winter Storm Fern shut schools for three consecutive days in January 2026. Students wound up with a full week off because Thursday and Friday of that week were already student holidays, FFXnow reported Jan. 27.

DeAngelo was in the kitchen preparing meal kits and stood outside in the cold handing food to families, according to the FCPS profile. Meal kits were available at pick-up sites in Annandale, Falls Church, Herndon and Mount Vernon. Children did not need to be present, and no identification was required.

The first day's kits contained breakfast, lunch, a snack and supper. Kits on the following two days included supper and a snack. Families were limited to one kit per child per day.

After the storm passed, DeAngelo gathered staff for debriefs to collect feedback on improving future emergency responses.

FNS serves more than 19 million meals each year across the district, according to team members who wrote DeAngelo's Honors nomination.

"Melissa's ownership of her work sets her apart. She works alongside her team … Her hands-on leadership fosters trust and a shared sense of purpose," FNS staff wrote in the nomination.

Beyond the snow-day response, DeAngelo streamlined the district's dietary accommodation process so students with special nutritional needs are served safely. She also expanded hot supper programs, introduced sustainability measures to reduce plastic kitchenware and centered student feedback when rolling out new menu items.

Shaun Sawko, FNS executive director, called DeAngelo a mentor who shares credit with her team. She also partnered with George Mason University graduate students to review department workflows and introduced online learning tools and leadership book clubs for FNS staff.