Shutdown Resource Center Offers Food In Downtown Dc
Chef José Andrés organization World Central Kitchen now runs a resource center for government workers. Bags of fresh food and pet food are available. Volunteer and furloughed federal worker Kwanzaa Nivens said the help matters. To have someone welcome us warmly and give unconditionally to us, it really makes a difference, she told News4s Aimee Cho.
Federal workers affected by the partial government shutdown are feeling a financial squeeze, but there are many ways citizens are working to ease the stress.
A Maryland couple that wont be paid during the federal shutdown must turn to a food bank to feed their family. News4s Cory Smith reports.
Capital Area Food Bank
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| Formation | October 24, 1979 |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Hunger relief, nutrition education, healthy food access | |
| Founder and former President | |
| Nancy Roman | |
| President and CEO | |
| Capital Area Food Bank Foundation | |
| Revenue | |
| .org |
The Capital Area Food Bank is the largest organization in the Washington metro area working to solve hunger and its companion problems: chronic undernutrition, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. By partnering with over 450 community organizations in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, as well as delivering food directly into hard to reach areas, each year the Capital Area Food Bank is helping nearly half a million people each year get access to good, healthy food.
In fiscal year 2015, the food bank provided nearly 45 million pounds of foodthe equivalent of 36 million mealsto the region. In addition to food, the food bank also provides nutrition education and cooking classes, empowering those it serves with the information and skills to shop for and cook healthy meals on a budget.
Counties served by Capital Area Food Bank include Washington, D.C. Montgomery, Maryland Prince George’s, Maryland Arlington, Virginia Fairfax, Virginia Prince William, Virginia Alexandria , Virginia Fairfax , Virginia Falls Church , Virginia Manassas , Virginia and Manassas Park , Virginia.
Distributing Food Where Its Needed Most
With the help of farmers, wholesalers, restaurants, community members, and others, we source the food for over 45 million meals each year. And thanks to our hundreds of partners in the community, were able to get that food to the individuals and families who need it most.
450+ Food Assistance Partners
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Soup Kitchens Pantries And Shelters
Thrive DC: Thrive DC provides emergency groceries and meals in addition to other services for homeless and vulnerable community members. Donations are accepted online, and there are volunteer opportunities Monday through Friday.
Central Union Mission: This 135-year-old Christian nonprofit operates multiple locations in the D.C. area, including an emergency shelter that offers food distribution among other services. Central Union Missions in-person volunteer events are currently suspended, but donations are accepted online. The organization also put together volunteer in place ideas that can be done at home, like cooking soups or stews for meal options. Through November 22, Central Union Mission is collecting pie mix, potatoes, canned cranberries, and more for its Thanksgiving Food Drive.
Alive!: In Alexandria, faith communities band together as Alive! to provide support for those in need, including food distribution and home food deliveries. Virtual food drives for funds are requested instead of dry goods at this time. Volunteer opportunities like loading baggings, sorting groceries, administrative tasks, and more are now open.
Cornerstones: This food pantry in Reston is stocked with fresh food and non-perishable items, and Cornerstones also delivers food to senior clients and local low-income housing complexes. The organization accepts online donations, and volunteer opportunities are available. Theres currently a Thanksgiving food drive happening as well.
Pet Food Bank Open In Virginia Amid Government Shutdown
We hear stories of people who come in and say theyve fed their children, theyve fed their pets and now they dont have anything to eat. Thats where we want to step in, the head of the Animal Welfare League of Arlington said. News4s David Culver shows a pet food bank thats helping government workers as the partial shutdown…
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Community Organizations Providing Food Access
World Central Kitchen: D.C.-based chef José Andréss nonprofit World Central Kitchen provides emergency food relief worldwide, including in more than 400 cities in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Theres a call for donations online, or volunteers can sign up for the WCK Volunteer Corps to serve in the community.
DC Central Kitchen: In addition to other hunger-fighting programs, this esteemed nonprofit provides meals cooked from scratch prepared by enrollees in DC Central Kitchens culinary job training and volunteers. Donations are requested to help support the organization, as it currently serves tens of thousands of meals a week and distributes fresh fruits and vegetables. The volunteer program is suspended indefinitely due to the pandemic.
Bread for the City: This 46-year-old D.C. nonprofit with centers in Southeast and Northwest serves neighbors through a variety of programs, including grocery delivery. Donations are accepted online, and volunteers are needed in the food pantry and more. Bread for the City is also aiming to raise $1 million this year during its Holiday Helpings campaign.
Food for All DC: Homebound Washingtonians can sign up for home grocery delivery with Food for All DC, which is currently seeking volunteer drivers for deliveries. The organization accepts donations via Paypal.
Together We Can Create Brighter Futures
Whether you want to make a monetary donation, host a digital food drive, or help out in our distribution center, there are many ways to give to the food bank. In our region, more than 400,000 people do not always know where their next meal will come from. Together, we can make a difference and improve the lives of individuals and families throughout our community.
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How To Help Fight Food Insecurity In Dc
Where to give, donate food, and volunteer during the novel coronavirus pandemic
The images of D.C. beamed onto television screens across the country often capture scenes of the White House, national monuments, reporters, lobbyists, and other representations of prosperity and power in the nations capital but that paints an incomplete picture. For the last four months, the novel coronavirus pandemic has highlighted inequity in the District by exposing frontline workers in health care and food service to increased risk of catching COVID-19, disproportionately infecting and killing members of Latinx and Black communities, and leading to a spike in unemployment. The widening income gap in the United States is apparent just in the difference between the Districts Northwest and Southeast quadrants, especially east of the Anacostia River in Wards 7 and 8.
Since March 13, D.C. has reported more than 152,000 claims for unemployment. The citys 9 percent unemployment rate in May was triple the size of the monthly figure from 2019. As of late October , Black residents accounted for 75 percent of D.C.s reported deaths from COVID-19, despite making up about 46 percent of the population.
Virginia Dairy Farm Food Bank Brought Together By Helping Each Another
A dairy farm in Northern Virginia has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemics crippling effect on the economy. Ken Smith told News4 in April that his farm, Cool Lawn Farms, in Fauquier County, was struggling after schools were closed because they were his biggest buyer. Ive been worried about my business for five years, Smith previously said. My…
After a Fauquier County dairy farm began feeling the financial effects of the coronavirus, a community member stepped in to help raise money and connect them to a local food bank. News4s Drew Wilder has the story.
One sixth grader from Woobridge, Virginia raised $900 for a local food pantry to give other kids access to healthy lunches during the coronavirus pandemic. News4s Pat Collins has the story.
Montgomery County residents are taking hourlong shifts in a 24-hour walk to raise money for a food bank. News4s Darcy Spencer reports.
The Salvation Army of Fairfax County is giving away huge amounts of food in response to the pandemic, but more is needed. News4s Cory Smith reports.
Food banks are struggling to keep volunteers and meet demands as the spread of COVID-19 continues to worsen.
Local company donates thousands of eggs to local food banks.
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The Baby Pantry: We Are More Than Diapers
While diapers and wipes are always our most needed items, our families often struggle with accessing other essentials which will help their families thrive.
The Baby Pantry, launched in July 2014, is a registered food pantry that provides food, formula, breastfeeding supplies, bottles, pacifiers, adult hygiene items, baby hygiene items, adult diapers, menstrual hygiene products, potty-training supplies, and more to families in need.
To date, The Baby Pantry has provided over 6000 pounds of powdered baby formula, 2500 pounds of baby food, 10,000 pounds of wipes, and over 1,000 pounds of baby hygiene supplies. Collectively these items represent $250,000 worth of items donated to some of our most vulnerable families.
End Of Shutdown Still Leaves Contract Workers Hanging
Federal employees are turning on office lights and computers and reopening national parks and museums for the first time in weeks, but others employed by government contractors face still more uncertainty over when theyll resume work or whether theyll ever be paid for time lost to the stalemate over President Donald Trumps border wall. For the hundreds of thousands of…
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What Is Food Insecurity
Food insecurity is a broad term and is defined in two ways as ‘low food insecurity and ‘very low food insecurity by the U.S. Department of Agriculture .
Low food insecurity was formerly known as experiencing food insecurity without hunger, according to the USDA, and is defined as “reports of reduced quality, variety, or desirability of diet. Little or no indication of reduced food intake.”
Very low food insecurity was formerly known as experiencing food insecurity with hunger, according to the USDA, and is defined as “reports of multiple indications of disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake.”
Providing The Food That People Need Today To Build Brighter Futures Tomorrow
In a region as large as metropolitan Washington, ensuring everyone has access to good, healthy food takes a significant community effortwhich is why we partner with over 450 nonprofit organizations in DC and the surrounding region. Together, we provide 30 million meals to almost half a million area residents, every year. And because we know that food alone wont solve hunger, we also address the root causes of hunger through multiple education programs and innovative service delivery partnerships.
Its a big undertaking. And its all made possible by the generosity of our donors, the hard work of our partners, and the dedication of our volunteers and staff.
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Community Food Security Program
No one should go hungry. During the COVID-19 pandemic, and with school closures, job disruptions, and health risks, thousands of people in our communities turned to food banks for much-needed support.
Since the start of the pandemic, the number of people served through our parish and school food security programs monthly in our area has grown to more than 15,000, with costs rising to more than $200,000.
Your gift to the Community Food Security Program will help sustain and replenish parish and school food pantries where demand has skyrocketed throughout the archdiocese.
Food Donation & Recovery
Donating wholesome food for human consumption diverts food waste from landfills and puts food on the table for families in need.
Organizations that accept food donations from DC residents and businesses:Thrive DC
Guidance for Restaurants and Businesses:
- The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act, which was created to encourage the donation of food and grocery products to qualified nonprofit organizations and provides liability protection to food donors. .
- Internal Revenue Code 170 provides enhanced tax deductions to businesses to encourage donations of fit and wholesome food to qualified nonprofit organizations serving the poor and needy.
- The U.S. Federal Food Donation Act of 2008 specifies procurement contract language encouraging Federal agencies and contractors of Federal agencies to donate excess wholesome food to eligible nonprofit organizations to feed food-insecure people in the United States.
Join the U.S. EPAs Food Recovery Challenge today to help your community by donating leftover food to feed hungry people, while saving money by purchasing less and lowering waste disposal fees.
If you are a business or organization that accepts food donations from residents and businesses in an around the DC Metropolitan area and would like to be added to this list, please email .
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Additional Resources & Important Information For You And Your Family:
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DC Government will be paying for a year of residential internet service more information HERE
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New DC Access Mobile App for Public Benefits
The District recently launched a new mobile app that allows residents to apply for food, cash, and medical public benefits available in the District. Residents can complete public benefit recertifications and mid-certifications, view upcoming and past benefit distributions, and update household information. Using the DC Access mobile app is free and available in the and Apple app stores. .
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COVID-19 Information & Updates
National Parks Rush To Repair Damage After Government Shutdown
National parks across the United States are scrambling to clean up and repair damage that visitors and storms caused during the recent government shutdown while bracing for the possibility of another closure ahead of the busy Presidents Day weekend later this month. Visitors left human waste, piles of trash, graffiti, used unauthorized trails and damaged Joshua trees at the namesake…
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Food Banks Food Rescues And Distribution Organizations
Capital Area Food Bank: Food donations arrive at the Capital Area Food Banks distribution center, then go out into the community via a network of more than 450 regional nonprofit partner organizations and direct programs like after-school meals for kids. While about half of those nonprofit partners are currently closed due to the pandemic, those remaining open are distributing more food than ever. Financial donations are accepted online, and individuals can host a traditional or digital food drive. Shelf-stable food donations can be dropped off at locations in D.C. and Virginia. The Capital Area Food Bank is relying heavily on volunteers right now during the COVID-19 crisis. There are volunteer opportunities for individuals or groups to pack and sort food at the warehouse, along with other tasks.
The first food bank established on the East Coast, Maryland Food Bank is distributing Grab & Go meals for kids, supplying community partners with groceries, and creating drive-thru pantries in response to the pandemic. The nonprofit accepts online donations with a goal of raising $28 million over the next 12 months, and volunteers are needed at the food bank.
Nourish Now: This Rockville food bank distributes food donations from grocers, restaurants, bakeries, caterers, and more. Volunteer opportunities are available during the week, and online donations are accepted.
Worker And Restaurant Relief
D.C. enforced a dine-in ban from mid-March through most of May, leading to a huge wave of layoffs for restaurant workers. Much of that group was already working without health insurance benefits. Undocumented workers who cook, serve, buss, and wash dishes have been especially vulnerable because they do not qualify for most unemployment benefits. These efforts focus primarily on getting food and supplies to restaurant workers who lost their jobs during the pandemic:
Hook Hall Helps: A relief center based in a huge Park View bar Hook Hall supports industry workers by distributing care packages from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from noon to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Family meals are available from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Click here to volunteer, or donate to the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washingtons Workers Relief Fund to keep the effort running.
Friends and Family Meal DC: Hospitality workers affected by the COVID-19 crisis can sign up to receive free groceries from this new nonprofit founded by two restaurant workers. All one-time or monthly donations go directly towards groceries purchased from small businesses.
Core: The national nonprofit that financially supports food and beverage employees with children is currently helping those diagnosed with COVID-19. Apply here.
Eater is tracking the impact of the novel coronavirus on the local food industry. Have a story to share? Reach out at .
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