Our Mission
At the Arlington Food Assistance Center, our mission is to provide our neighbors in need with dignified access to free, supplemental groceries. With your help, we are able to aid residents of Arlington County and the surrounding areas in receiving nutritious food items that not only keep their families fed, but frees up their limited financial resources for other necessary purchases.
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Who We Serve
Supplemental groceries from AFAC mean that families can remain in their homes, workers can stay on the job, children are ready to learn, and mothers and babies have the nutrition they need.
- Elderly residents makeup nearly 12% of the individuals in our care and must often choose between buying medicine or food.
- Families where the "breadwinner," if employed, works at a low wage job. They may be taking job training and literacy classes. Those working toward getting a "Green Card" are not eligible for food stamps. Child care costs and the cost of rent factor into the decision by a social worker to make the referral.
- People who are unemployed because of physical, mental, or emotional disabilities.
- Families or individuals who have applied for food stamps or other food assistance and who have not yet started receiving that assistance.
- People who are ill or disabled from work and who do not have sick leave with their employer.
- People starting a new job after a period of unemployment. They may need food for several weeks to be able to perform well at the new job until they receive their first paycheck.
- Anyone who has lost their job or had their hours reduced due to circumstances beyond their control (i.e. government shutdowns, pandemics).
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