August 26, 2024
ARLINGTON, VA – During the month of September, the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) takes part in events throughout Arlington to recognize Hunger Action Month, a nationwide campaign mobilizing the public to take action on the issue of hunger. Over 3,800 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 highlight AFAC’s mission and expand its reach to every Arlington resident facing food insecurity.
For a full list of events and for more information, visit AFAC’s Hunger Action Month webpage: afac.org/HAM:
- CANstruction Exhibits: Starting this September 6, visit the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City (1100 S Hayes St) to witness the annual CANstruction structures, built completely from canned goods! The creations, designed by local DMV architectural firms, will be open to the public until breakdown on September 15, when all the canned goods will be donated to AFAC to feed families in need this fall. Click HERE to view photos from last year’s CANstruction exhibit!
- Shredding for Hunger: Support AFAC on Saturday, September 14, at the annual Shredding for Hunger Free Community Drive-In Shredding Event, sponsored by Ann Wilson Homes. Just drive up to Arlington Church of the Brethren (300 N. Montague St) with documents to be shredded anytime between 10am-1pm, pop the trunk, and they’ll do the rest! All non-perishable food and monetary donations brought to the event will benefit AFAC’s neighbors in need this fall. Click HERE to download the event flyer!
- 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 14, 18, and 28 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. For information on how to sign up, email volunteer@afac.org.
- Hunger Action Day: Wear orange, the color of hunger relief, on September 15 (and throughout the month) to show support for ending food insecurity! Make an even greater impact by registering a food drive to help offset AFAC’s food purchase costs or donating funds to go towards buying groceries for AFAC’s families.
- Tenth Annual AFAC Golf Tournament: Tee up at AFAC’s Tenth Annual Golf Tournament on Monday, September 16 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 variety of golfer perks, including auction items that both attendees and non-attendees of the event can bid on. Sponsorships are limited – visit givebutter.com/AFAC-Golf for more information on how to secure a sponsorship and to place a bid on auction items. Title Sponsor: Williams & Connolly.
- Stuff the Bus Food Drive: Join AFAC and partners Arlington Transit and Arlington County Environmental Services in stuffing an ART bus with 10,000 pounds of healthy, non-perishable food donations! Shop for groceries at the Virginia Square Giant Food Store (3450 Washington Blvd) on Saturday, September 21 & Sunday, September 22 from 10am–4pm and donate canned goods on the way out to help Stuff the Bus. Download the flyer HERE!
- Volunteer Bingo Night: Take a chance playing Bingo with fellow AFAC volunteers on September 23 from 6-7:30 p.m. Play for a chance to win AFAC swag and other prizes. Bring snacks and drinks or enjoy those provided on site. Register by logging into the volunteer portal HERE. Space is limited!
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 3,800 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.
Author: Marie Linnevonberg