AFAC's Message Regarding COVID-19

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March 2020

The Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) is closely monitoring the national and local developments regarding the spread of COVID-19 (the coronavirus).

AFAC is actively planning how we will continue to operate in the short and long term. Our planning begins with the recognition of our responsibility to continue our services to all in need in our community. Very simply, we are committed to our mission in good times and bad. We are not going to stop our services.

Our staff has been charged with developing a comprehensive plan which follows the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and state and local agencies . We have already instituted a heightened cleaning routine to minimize any potential transmission while at AFAC and lessen the fears that are obviously building among our families, our volunteers, and our staff. As this situation develops, we will take additional steps, as recommended by public health agencies to assure the health and safety of our community and all who depend on AFAC for assistance.

With this in mind, we have canceled our annual spring event, Shining a Light on Hunger , which was scheduled for March 26. We are contacting our sponsors and attendees and we thank them for their understanding and for their continued support.

We have already seen a sharp decrease in food donations from our local grocery stores. AFAC has begun to purchase more food to offset the drop of food available on our shelves. Please think about making a donation to AFAC to help us keep our warehouse full for our families in need.

Donate Today

We are still accepting food donations. As you are stocking up on food for yourselves at the grocery store, think about helping our families in need as well. Donations can be dropped off at our warehouse during our normal operating hours or at our food drive boxes at local library branches.

If this continues long-term, many of those working in the service industries may be affected which may result in a significant increase in the demand for our services. AFAC is committed to serving all in need and will remain ready and determined to serve the least fortunate and most vulnerable in our community.

It is our sincere hope this virus will be contained but we are taking appropriate and prudent measures to be prepared and ready as this situation develops. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us via email at communications@afac.org .

Thank you.

Charles Meng

AFAC Executive Director & CEO

Upcoming Events

Food Drive at Virginia Square Giant

March 21 & 22

We will have a food drive at the Virginia Square Giant Food grocery store on Saturday March 21 and March 22 from 10 am to 4 pm. As you stock up for yourselves, please think about buying and donating an extra item for a family in need.

Featured Donation Item of the Month

Use Amazon Smile’s Charity Lists to donate food and have it shipped directly to AFAC!

For the month of March, we are featuring food items that are green. Green beans are a great source of vitamin C and fiber. Pears are a nice sweet treat rich in antioxidants. Plus a few more items we know our families enjoy! Click here to learn more about our revolving charity lists and to access this month's items on Amazon.

Volunteer Needs

Gleaning at Arcadia

Monday, March 16

9-11am

Free time on your hands on Monday? Come to Arcadia near Mt. Vernon from 9-11 am to harvest kale in the fresh air. We welcome the help of those 14 and older. If you can join us, please sign up on the volunteer calendar or email volunteer4afac@afac.org .

Census 2020

AFAC is part of Arlington County's Complete Count Committee to ensure an accurate count in the 2020 Census. It is important that everyone complete the census in the Spring of 2020. Some of the hardest people to count are immigrants, transient workers, and non-English speakers, who are a significant portion of AFAC clients.

During the week of March 30 – April 4, AFAC will host Census Bureau officials at our Nelson street location for all morning and evening distributions. The officials will be available to help our clients complete the census. We are also looking for some AFAC volunteers to encourage clients to participate!

If you are interested in helping with the census, look for open spots on the volunteer calendar.

Plot Against Hunger

Spring Garden Kick-off Recap

We had an incredible Spring Garden Kick-off event this past Saturday at Arlington Central Library! Click here for a full recap of the event, as well as links to some of the presentations.

Garden Talks

Wednesdays, 7pm

The 2020 schedule for weekly garden talks at Arlington Central Library is now available! Click here to view the dates and topics covered for this season.

Thank You

A huge thank you to Great American Restaurants for donating 1,914 pounds of non perishable items to AFAC!

A big thank you to Fruitful Planet for donating 1,220 pounds of fresh produce to AFAC!

Thank you to all those who held food drives or donated to Plot Against Hunger in February!

Advent Lutheran Church; Arlington Church of the Brethren; Ashlawn Elementary BOWA; Central Library & Garden; Charles Drew Elementary School; Cherrydale Branch Library; Church of the Covenant; Claremont Elementary; Columbia Pike Branch Library; Commonwealth Academy; CORT Furniture; Crystal Square Apartments; CWTSatoTravel; Gates Hudson Apartments; Jessie Dertke; Kinder Haus Toys; Klik Media; Leadership Center for Excellence; Long Branch Elementary; Loudoun Hunger Relief; Marsha Doggette; Matt de Ferranti; Melwood; Michelle Jupina; Mount Zion Baptist Church; Nancy Anderson; NOVA Catholic Community; Oakridge Elementary; Restoration Anglican Church; Resurrection Lutheran Church and Garden; Rock Spring UCC & Garden; ServiceSource; Sloppy Mama's BBQ; Shirlington Branch Library; St. Andrew's Episcopal; St. Ann's Catholic Church; St. John's Episcopal Church; St. Mary's Episcopal Church; St. Michael's Episcopal Church; Temple Rodef Shalom; Terronica Nixon; Thomas Meehan; The Arlington Chorale; The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps; Valeria Vasconcelios; Walter Reed Garden; Westover Branch Library & Garden

Big thanks to the Arlington Public Schools that donate healthy snacks on a weekly basis as a part of the Food Bus program: Abingdon ES, Arlington Science Focus ES, Arlington Traditional ES, Ashlawn ES, Discovery ES, McKinley ES, Nottingham ES, Oakridge ES, Tuckahoe ES, Temple Rodef Shalom's Religious School, and Washington-Liberty HS.