Hunger Action Month 2023

ARLINGTON, VA – During the month of September, the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) will host events in Arlington to recognize Hunger Action Month, a nationwide campaign mobilizing the public to take action on the issue of hunger.

Even though Arlington has one of the highest median household incomes in the country, hunger affects large vulnerable populations within our county borders. Over 3,200 families in need come to AFAC each week to access fresh and healthy supplemental groceries – freeing up tightly stretched funds for child and health care, rent, and other necessary financial demands. Hunger Action Month creates an opportunity to share AFAC’s story and expand its reach to every Arlington resident suffering from food insecurity. With full plates and full hearts, you can help end hunger.

For a full list of events and for more information, visit AFAC’s Hunger Action Month webpage: https://afac.org/HAM/

  • Library Exhibits – Full Plates, Full Hearts, Fully Prepared: Learn about hunger, nutrition, and disaster preparedness to commemorate both Hunger Action Month and National Preparedness Month. The exhibits will be on display at five Arlington library branches for the entire month of September: Westover Library (1644 McKinley Rd. #3), Central Library (1015 N. Quincy St), Columbia Pike Library (816 S. Walter Reed Dr), Shirlington Library (4200 Campbell Ave), and Courthouse Library (2100 Clarendon Blvd). Partners: Arlington Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management Office.
  • Farm Harvesting: Help collect fresh produce for AFAC’s families in need and volunteer to glean at JK Community Farm in Purcellville, VA (35516 Paxson Rd). Those interested can sign up for gleaning sessions for the mornings of September 2, 16, 20, and 30. For more information on how to sign up, email volunteer@afac.org.
  • Quincy Hall Bar – Pizzas for a Purpose: Battle it out for the title of ‘Pizza Champ of Ballston’ on September 3 from 11:30am-3pm at Quincy Hall Bar’s Pizzas for a Purpose pizza eating competition (4001 Fairfax Dr). 100% of ticket sales, sponsorships, and raffle ticket proceeds go directly to AFAC to fund food security in Arlington County. The winner will also receive a free large pie every week during football season – to learn more and register for the event, visit the event link HERE.
  • CANstruction Exhibits: Starting this September 8, visit the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City (1100 S Hayes St) to witness the annual CANstruction canned creations build! The exhibits, created by local DMV architectural firms, will be open to the public until breakdown on September 17, when all the canned goods will be donated to AFAC to feed families in need this fall. 
  • Stuff the Bus Food Drive: Help AFAC stuff two ART buses with 10,000 pounds of healthy non-perishable food donations with the help of partners Giant Food, Arlington Transit, and National Express Corporation:
    • Saturday, September 9 & Sunday, September 10: 10am–4pm at the Lyon Village Giant Food store (3115 Lee Hwy).
    • Saturday, September 23 & Sunday, September 24: 10am–4pm at the Virginia Square Giant Food Store (3450 Washington Blvd).
  • The Hunger Museum – a Virtual Project of MAZON: Register for a virtual tour of The Hunger Museum on September 12 or 28 at 6:30 p.m. Created by MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, a national organization fighting to end hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds, the fully virtual museum aims to educate on the last 100 years’ worth of hunger and anti-hunger public policy in the United States. To learn more, visit www.hungermuseum.org. To register, click the registration link for the corresponding date that you would like to take your virtual tour:
  • Lubber Run ‘Food & Fund’ Drive: Join AFAC and the Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) at the Lubber Run Farmers Market ‘Food & Fund’ Drive on September 16 to collect food and raise funds for families and pets in need. Stop by the AFAC table at the Lubber Run Farmers Market (4401 N. Henderson Rd) on September 9 to learn more about how to get involved. To donate funds, visit https://afac.org/campaign/lubber-run-farmers-market-food-and-fund-drive/.
  • Ninth Annual AFAC Golf Tournament: Tee up at AFAC’s Ninth Annual Golf Tournament on Monday, September 18, to take a swing at hunger! Located at Army Navy Country Club (1700 Army Navy Drive), the tournament begins with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. and features a silent auction that both attendees and non-attendees of the event can participate in.Sponsorships are limited – visit www.afac.org/golf2023 for more information on how to secure your spot and bid on auction items. Title Sponsor: Williams & Connolly.

Organize, Volunteer, and Donate: Rally your neighborhood, faith community, business, or school and host a food drive for AFAC, volunteer to collect food at a Stuff the Bus food drive, or join our Monthly Giving Society and pledge $35 monthly for 35 years of AFAC fighting food insecurity in Arlington County. Dining out at Carlyle? [4000 Campbell Ave] Don’t forget to order a dessert at the end of your meal and a portion of all dessert sales will be donated to AFAC. Visit www.afac.org for more information.

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 3,200 families are coming to AFAC each week at 20 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 www.afac.org and follow @afacfeeds on social media.

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