AFAC OPENS NEW PUBLIC FOOD DISTRIBUTION SITE IN WESTOVER

In partnership with True Ground Housing Partners and AHC, AFAC increases food access in an under-resourced neighborhood

ARLINGTON, VA – August 26, 2025 – The Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC), in collaboration with True Ground Housing Partners and Affordable Homes & Communities (AHC), has opened a new public food distribution site in Arlington’s Westover neighborhood to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. This initiative enables access to free, supplemental groceries for Arlington residents in an area where access to food assistance is limited.

Located in True Ground’s Fisher House apartments, the new site opens alongside AHC to extend AFAC’s resources to residents of multiple low-income housing properties in the area. This development aims to alleviate transportation challenges for food insecure residents living in Westover and increase access to nutritious food for individuals who may have previously relied on deliveries.

“We’re excited to bring the first weekly food pantry to the Westover neighborhood. Expensive and inefficient transportation is one of the biggest barriers to accessing food pantries,” emphasizes AFAC’s Director of Client Services, Lily Duran. “Instead, we want to bring the food to the people. In just a few weeks, we’ve already helped 79 households gain access to free milk, meat, grains, and fresh produce. We’re grateful for our partnerships with True Ground and AHC for making this possible.”

In order to accommodate the new site in Westover, the AFAC food distribution at True Grounds’ The Springs Apartments closed, relocating a food pantry from a well-resourced neighborhood to an under-resourced neighborhood. True Grounds’ refocused efforts allow residents all throughout Arlington to access these groceries, while distribution at The Springs Apartments was only available for residents of its specific properties. Residents of The Springs Apartments continue to have access to The People’s Pantry, a True Ground food pantry located within the apartment building.

“At True Ground, we are deeply committed to ensuring everyone has quality affordable housing, but we are also committed to the wellbeing of the whole person,” says True Ground’s Vice President of Philanthropy and Communications, Garrett Jackson. “We are proud to partner with local providers and community groups to bring vital food resources directly to our neighbors. Access to food shouldn’t depend on your ability to pay, and programs like this help ensure that everyone has the opportunity to gain access to food and wellbeing.”

This new public distribution site marks a milestone in AFAC’s ongoing efforts to provide dignified access to free groceries in Arlington, especially as the organization continues to experience record-high demand for their services.

“We’re proud to partner with AFAC and True Ground to bring fresh, nutritious food to more neighbors,” says AHC Vice President of Resident Services, Susan Davidson. “This expanded outreach shows how partnerships can strengthen communities and transform lives.”

For more information about AFAC and its food distribution programs, visit afac.org.

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 neighbors in need. Over 3,850 families are coming to AFAC each week at 21 distribution sites throughout Arlington County, Alexandria, and Falls Church 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 afac.org and follow @afacfeeds on social media.

ABOUT AHC: Affordable Homes & Communities (AHC) is a nonprofit developer that creates and preserves affordable and mixed-income housing in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Since 1975, AHC has developed more than 8,700 apartments in 55 communities. AHC’s mission is to build opportunity by creating quality homes with holistic resident services. AHC connects residents of all ages with onsite services that help transform lives, provide housing stability, and advance the economic resiliency of entire communities. For more information, visit ahcommunities.org.

ABOUT TRUE GROUND: True Ground is a nonprofit affordable housing developer, enabling diverse families to imagine hopeful futures, even in one of the nation’s highest cost markets. At True Ground, we believe that hope, like a home, needs nurturing and care. With housing access becoming harder than ever, we’re dedicated to building hope and opportunities for those feeling left out. We are committed community builders, breaking down barriers and providing the support needed to turn aspirations into secure, comfortable apartment homes. We are not just building homes; we are changing the landscape for affordable housing, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to live in a safe and welcoming community. True Ground was named one of the nation’s Top 50 Affordable Housing Developers of 2023 by Affordable Housing Finance, one of only a dozen nonprofits to make the list. Visit www.truegroundhousing.org to learn more.

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