AFAC CONTINUES TO EXPAND WITH SECOND FOOD DISTRIBUTION SITE OUTSIDE OF ARLINGTON
ARLINGTON, VA – Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) is pleased to announce the launch of their new food distribution site in The Waypoint at Fairlington, a multifamily community in Alexandria. In partnership with Wesley Housing, a leading non-profit affordable housing developer, owner, and operator, AFAC further develops their presence throughout Northern Virginia. This is AFAC’s first grocery distribution site in the City of Alexandria and second site outside of Arlington County.
Starting March 1, 2023, The Waypoint residents participating in AFAC’s program will receive free weekly supplemental groceries including chicken, beef, eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables, canned goods, and more. “This is a major step for AFAC in moving beyond Arlington to nearby areas where we can expand on our mission to address long-term food insecurity,” says Charles Meng, Chief Executive Officer of AFAC. AFAC’s program allows families to use their limited funds on other expenses without sacrificing their health and nutrition needs.
Wesley Housing is committed to creating opportunities that allow their residents to build better and brighter lives. “Our residents in Arlington have been the beneficiaries of AFAC’s program for more than 12 years,” said Wesley Housing Director of Resident Services, Irrin Suvanasai. “Mitigating food insecurity at one of our newest communities is another example of our ongoing commitment to create and operate healthy, supportive, stable, affordable housing communities,” added Suvanasai.
The beginning of March not only marks the opening of AFAC’s new food distribution site, but also the end of the COVID-19 pandemic-era boost in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Meng emphasizes that “AFAC is already seeing a record number of families coming to our doors weekly. The reduction in SNAP benefits will only drive more families to seek our services. While many low income families received an increase in the minimum wage, that increase has already been consumed by inflation especially with the cost of food.”
ABOUT AFAC: The Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) is an independent, community-based non-profit food pantry that provides dignified access to nutritious supplemental groceries to all our Arlington neighbors in need. At AFAC, hunger and the demand for free groceries has reached an all-time high. Over 2,900 families are coming to AFAC each week at eighteen distribution sites throughout Arlington County to access fresh and healthy supplemental groceries, freeing up tightly stretched funds for child and health care, rent, and other financial demands. For more information, visit www.afac.org and follow @afacfeeds on social media.
ABOUT WESLEY HOUSING: Wesley Housing, a leading nonprofit developer in Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia, has been working to provide affordable rental housing for individuals and families for nearly 50 years. Since its founding, Wesley Housing has emerged as a premier developer of affordable housing. Wesley Housing has acquired or developed over 2,900 rental units, providing quality housing for thousands of at-risk persons each year. Wesley Housing supplements housing with supportive services to build up the lives of its residents, including low and moderate-income families, older adults, and individuals with disabilities and/or chronic disease. For more information, please visit www.wesleyhousing.org and follow @WesleyHousing on social media.
###
Contact: Jolie Smith – Director of Development
(703) 845-8486 | communications@afac.org | www.afac.org
2708 S. Nelson St., Arlington, VA 22206