Arlington Food Assistance Center

Description

The Arlington Food Assistance Center is an incorporated 501c (3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing supplemental food items to Arlington residents who cannot afford to purchase sufficient food to meet their basic needs. We provide groceries to families and individuals referred to us by the Arlington County Department of Human Services, other social service agencies, and the churches of Arlington. We are run entirely by a volunteer Board of Directors, a staff of twelve professionals, and more than 600 volunteers from families, businesses, religious organizations, and public and private social service agencies. AFAC fits neatly into the comprehensive system of service delivery that characterizes the work done by the agencies and churches in Arlington. We support the work of other agencies by letting them concentrate on their area of expertise. If area social workers see a need for food with their clients, they can easily make a referral to us. This system ensures that our clients are legitimate and that the entire range of their needs is being assessed and addressed. AFAC obtains surplus food at a minimal cost from the Capital Area Community Food Bank and at no cost from local bakeries, supermarkets, farmers' markets, food drives, and private donors. These groceries are redistributed to clients who have been referred by private or public agencies or by religious organizations. We do not distribute ready-to-eat food, nor do we provide food on a walk-in basis.