Local food security organizations are seeking donations and urging caution as uncertainty continues to hang over food assistance in Virginia during the government shutdown.
While federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is expected to come to a halt on Saturday unless lawmakers strike a deal, Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) announced a plan yesterday for a stopgap measure to make sure people can still eat.
The new Virginia Nutrition Assistance Program, on track to launch Monday, will replenish people’s SNAP cards on a weekly basis until at least the end of November, the governor said.
“The dereliction of duty on the part of our federal Democrat Senators is creating a crisis for the most needy Virginians,” Youngkin said in a press release. “It is an extraordinary step for Virginia to provide food benefits in 7-day increments in November, but we must do so because Congressional Democrats are putting politics above people.”
Democrats like Sen. Tim Kaine, meanwhile, have called on President Donald Trump to use unspent U.S. Department of Agriculture funds to pay for SNAP during the shutdown.
Even with the new state-run food assistance program, some Virginians will experience at least a day or two of disruption in their SNAP funds as benefits are issued in a staggered fashion next week. Additionally, it’s likely that the new program won’t accept any new applicants, but will only provide assistance to people previously enrolled in SNAP.
“There is still a lot to learn about how VENA benefits will be issued,” the nonprofit Legal Aid Justice Center said in an FAQ. “If you have issues with receiving your benefits or with the amount you receive, contact your local legal aid office right away.”
While food assistance hangs in the balance for the nearly 10,000 Arlington residents who rely on SNAP, food distribution centers are seeking donations of food and money as well as volunteers. Experts encourage people in need to research local food pantries, prioritize buying shelf-stable ingredients in bulk, and take advantage of community meals or free breakfast and lunch for students at Arlington Public Schools.
How to support food pantries
Arlington Food Assistance Center CEO Charlie Meng said his organization is most in need of financial donations, which allow him to purchase food on the wholesale market at a fraction of the price. People can donate to AFAC online.
Pantries also rely on food donations, particularly nonperishable items like canned fruits and vegetables, tuna, soups and peanut butter. Other popular shelf-stable items include cereal, rice, pasta, canned tomatoes, dry or canned beans, coffee, tea and cooking oil.
People can donate grocery gift cards to organizations serving low-income residents or to local schools. Gift cards for Aldi and Giant are most helpful, Department of Human Services spokesperson Destiny Esper told ARLnow.
She also listed the following ways people can volunteer in Arlington.
- Visit https://www.volunteerarlington.org/ and search “food” for a variety of opportunities.
- Check AFAC’s online volunteer calendar. Community partners that host AFAC distributions, such as AHC and True Ground, often need volunteer support as well.
- Sign up with https://www.foodforneighbors.org/ to donate or volunteer in support of teens in local schools.
- Serve as a delivery driver or backup for Meals on Wheels or AFAC.
- Organize a neighborhood food drive — focusing on specific items like cereal or peanut butter can make it easier for people to contribute.
What to do if you use SNAP
Esper encouraged SNAP recipients to review the Legal Aid Justice Center’s FAQ page and visit the county page on food assistance resources, which includes an interactive map of food pantries and community organizations around Arlington.
She offered the following additional advice for Arlington SNAP recipients.
- Stretch your remaining SNAP benefits and any money you’re able to spend on food by prioritizing shelf-stable, nutrient-dense items like rice, beans, canned vegetables, pasta, and oats. These can be used in multiple meals and stored long-term.
- Visit as many food pantries as you need. While you can only visit one AFAC site, other food assistance programs are run by separate organizations, and you can visit as many of those as you’d like.
- Frozen vegetables have the same nutritional content as fresh and are often cheaper.
- Visit food pantries first and then shop for the items you need to round out your meals.
- Shop weekly sales and discount stores.
- If you are enrolled in SNAP, your child is eligible for free breakfast and lunch at school. Encourage them to eat those meals. Students are able to eat as many fruits and vegetables as they want as part of their school meals.
- Check for community meals and hot food programs. Some organizations offer prepared meals, which can be especially helpful if cooking facilities are limited. Community meal programs are available at places like Arlington Assembly of God and Central United Methodist Church in Ballston.
- Buy in bulk, when possible, especially for staples. This can reduce cost per meal and help sustain households through uncertain periods.
- Call Arlington DHS at 703-228-1300 to speak with someone who can help assess eligibility for other programs or provide referrals to emergency resources.
Where to find a food pantry in Arlington
AFAC runs a pantry six days per week at its Shirlington headquarters at 2708 S. Nelson Street. Hours of operation are 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday through Friday, 6-7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday.
The nonprofit also runs food pantries for Arlington residents at the following other locations.
- Arlington Mill Community Center: 9-11:30 a.m. on Monday, 909 S. Dinwiddie Street
- Gilliam Place Apartments: 4-5:30 p.m. on Monday, 918 S. Lincoln Street
- Westover at Fisher House: 3:30-5 p.m. on Wednesday, 5705 Washington Blvd
- Gates of Ballston Community Center: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Friday, 4180 4th Street N.
- Clarendon United Methodist Church: 8:30-10:30 a.m. on Saturday, 606 N. Irving Street
The following additional food pantries operate around the county.
- Our Lady Queen of Peace Church: 8:30-11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, 2700 19th Street S.
- Arlington Bridge Builders: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, 790 S. Carlin Springs Road
- St. George’s Episcopal Church: noon to 1 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 915 N. Oakland Street
- Mission: NOVA: noon to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday, 5401 7th Road S.
- Salvation Army: 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. on the first and second Thursday of the month, 518 S. Glebe Road
- Capital Area Food Bank: 8:30-10:30 a.m. on the fourth Saturday of the month, 909 S. Dinwiddie Street
- Arlington Assembly of God: 5-6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 4501 N. Pershing Drive
Finally, monthly food pantries will operate at the following Arlington locations in November.
- Park Shirlington Apartments, 2:30-4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 4505 41st Street S.
- Mount Olivet Church: 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 8, 1500 N. Glebe Road
- The Women’s Club of Arlington: 3-5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13, 700 S. Buchanan Street
- Mount Olive Baptist Church: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, 1601 S. 13th Road
- Arlington Mill Community Center: 8:30-10:30 a.m., 909 S. Dinwiddie Street
