AFAC Announces Partnership with Homestretch; First Food Distribution Outside Arlington

Staff and volunteers from AFAC and Homestretch holding food items.

The Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) is partnering with Homestretch, a nonprofit organization located in Falls Church, to provide free nutritious groceries to recently housed families on the path towards self-sufficiency. The new food distribution center will plan to operate weekly and will be AFAC’s first center serving residents outside of Arlington County.

“We are excited to partner with Homestretch,” says Charles Meng, Chief Executive Officer of AFAC. “It’s an organization that does outstanding work in a neighboring community and we are pleased to be able to provide our services, which will increase access to healthy and nutritious groceries to the families at Homestretch.”

Starting in June, Homestretch clients who will be participating in AFAC’s food distribution program will receive fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, meats, milk, cereal, rice, beans, canned goods, bread, and more. This free grocery service will help families maintain economic independence by allowing them to redirect their limited funds to other essentials.

“As a provider of housing and services to homeless parents with children, Homestretch is keenly aware of the importance of helping these families access healthy and nutritious food,” says Christopher Fay, Executive Director of Homestretch. “We are delighted to partner with AFAC, who is making it even easier for families in our region of Northern Virginia to get regular access to groceries that they need to feed their growing families.”

Even as the service area grows, Arlington will always be the focus of AFAC. “As we expand into new communities,” says Meng, “we remain committed to providing our high quality service to any Arlington resident in need.”

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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 our neighbors in need. Last year, 5,583 families throughout Arlington County accessed 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.

About Homestretch: The mission of Homestretch is to empower homeless families with children living in Virginia to attain permanent housing and self-sufficiency by giving them the skills, knowledge and hope they need to become productive participants in the community. Since its inception in 1990, over 2,000 families have been assisted to achieve stability and self-sufficiency. For more information, visit www.homestretchva.org.