Community Support
Many Arlington families, including Taylor students and their families, are impacted with the government shutdown, high grocery prices, and other ongoing financial constraints. Local food pantries, Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) and Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB), are experiencing record need at their pantries, with over 4,200 Arlington residents receiving free groceries from AFAC every week, a number expected to surpass 5,000 in the coming weeks. Below are a list of resources and information that may help families navigate these challenging times. Families needing referrals can reach out to Zamir Bridgman (zamir.bridgman@apsva.us), Taylor's school social worker.
If you find yourself in a position to help others as we enter this season of giving, there are also options listed at the end for ways to help ensure our neighbors in need have dignified access to nutritious food.
Ways to help
Donate Money
The biggest impact we can have is donating money to food pantries, which are able to make bulk purchases of food at a much lower cost and will have a much more significant impact in providing nutritious food that food insecure clients need.
· AFAC
Donate Food
If you would like to donate food items, local pantries welcome nutritious donations that help stock shelves for families in need. Most needed items include low sugar & reduced sodium canned fruits and vegetables, canned tuna, cereal, cooking oil, peanut butter, masa harina, and flour.
AFAC - Donations are accepted at AFAC Headquarters, as well at several drop off locations around the County
Food for Neighbors Red Bag Program: Organizes a collection of shelf stable food donations from your doorstep and delivers to local middle and high schools. See what's needed
Donate Time
Meals on Wheels - Volunteer to deliver meals once a week
AFAC - Volunteer to help bag or distribute food at one of their pantry sites.
Free Groceries and Hot Meals
Arlington County's Food Security Coalition has a flyer with free food assistance available in English/Spanish and 11 other languages. A selection of free food resources include:
AFAC (Arlington Food Assistance Center) has several distribution sites. Referrals are required after the first visit and can be obtained from your school social worker, DHS, or a social service organization. Sign Up Here
Capital Area Food Bank operates distribution sites in the area and has added additional food distribution sites to support federal workers during the shutdown. Find a distribution site
Our Lady Queen of Peace Food Pantry: Food distribution on Wednesdays 9-11:30 am.
Food for Others: Food distributions at three Arlington locations. Check the website for dates/times and locations. Friday evenings (6:00-6:30 PM) at locations throughout Arlington and Falls Church. Bring your own grocery bags.
Corrine's Kitchen, Hot dinner available Monday-Friday, 5-6:30 pm
School Meals
School meals are not impacted as they are funded on a reimbursement basis. Families whose income has changed — even temporarily — may now qualify for free school meals based on federal income guidelines. Applications are accepted online, and all information shared is kept confidential. Once approved, eligibility lasts for the entire school year and families also have access to other discounts and reduced fees if they qualify for free school meals. If you have questions or need help with the application process, please contact APS Food & Nutrition Services at 703-228-8000.
APS Meal Program
APS is offering a temporary meal program to support students and families affected by the federal government shutdown. Hot meals will be served at Yorktown, Washington-Liberty and Wakefield High Schools from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. APS will serve 250 meals per day at each location on a first-come first-served basis. APS students and their families are welcome. We will not turn away families who need support. Families are asked to complete this brief optional form. Your input will help APS plan properly and the form does not collect identifying information and is not required to attend.
SNAP Updates
Virginia has begun issuing SNAP disbursements on a weekly basis, instead of monthly, until the government shut down ends. SNAP recipients will see these benefits loaded onto their EBT cards directly. More information on benefit issuance is located on the Virginia Department of Social Services website.
Holiday Resources
For families needing extra assistance in the coming weeks, some pantries and churches will have additional food offerings available to accommodate the upcoming holidays, including information on pantry closures for the holidays.
Farmer's Market Deals for furloughed Federal employees and SNAP participants
Families who visit farmers markets at Courthouse, Ballston, or Falls Church get an extra $20 in tokens for FREE fruits and vegetables for the month of November. Even if your SNAP balance is $0, you will still receive $20 in tokens at no cost. SNAP participants also get 75% off fruits and vegetables at grocery stores, mobile markets, and farm stands from November 19th-26th.
FRESHFARM will also offer $30 in FreshMatch coupons to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables to all furloughed or unpaid federal workers. Federal employees can present their federal ID at the market information tent to receive this benefit. FRESHFARM operates the Courthouse and Ballston farmers markets in Arlington.