Food Assistance Resources

Government Agencies

SNAP (SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM)

Formerly known as food stamps, assists individuals and families who are unable to purchase sufficient food for themselves by issuing an electronic benefit (EBT) card to purchase eligible food items.

SNAP DOUBLE DOLLAR PROGRAM

Incentive program that allows SNAP recipients who visit participating farmers markets to receive up to $20 in matching dollars to purchase eligible food products at the market.

Old Town Farmers Market: Market Square (301 King St), Sat, 7am-12pm, year round

Old Town North Farmers Market: Montgomery Park (901 North Royal St)

  • Thurs, 3pm-7pm, Mar-Sept
  • Sun, 10am-2 pm, year round

Southern Towers Farmers Market: 5067 Seminary Rd, Sat & Sun, 7am-1pm, year round

Four Mile Run Farmers Market: Four Mile Run Park (4109 Mount Vernon Ave), Sun, 9am-1pm, year round

Coming Soon:

Del Ray Farmers Market: Corner of East Oxford & Mount Vernon Ave, Sat, 8am-12pm, year round

  • West End Farmers Market: Ben Brenman Park (4800 Brenman Park Dr), Sun, 8:30am-1pm, Apr-Nov

DIVISION OF AGING & ADULT SERVICES

Senior Congregate Meals are served at two locations, both centers offer a hot lunch Monday through Friday, except for holidays. There is no cost for meals for persons aged 60 or older. Must pre-register.

  • St. Martins Senior Center (4650 Taney Ave), 703-751-2766, Mon-Fri, 12-1pm
  • Charles Houston Senior Center (901 Wythe St), 703-746-5456, Mon-Fri, 12-12:30pm

WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN (WIC) PROGRAM

Provides nutritious food benefits, nutrition counseling, promotes breast/chest feeding, and provides breast/chest feeding support to pregnant, postpartum, and breast/chest feeding parents, and for infants and children up to the age of 5 years. WIC also issues free breast pumps to eligible breast/chest feeding parents. All services are by appointment only, any custodial parent may apply for children.

  • Appointments: 703.746.4998
  • alexandriava.gov/NutritionWIC
  • Main Office: 4850 Mark Center Drive, 3rd Floor, Mon-Fri, by appointment
  • Neighborhood Health: 2 East Glebe Road, Mon-Fri, by appointment
  • Casey: 1200 N. Howard Street, Suite 105, Mon-Fri, by appointment

ALEXANDRIA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FREE AND REDUCED PRICE MEALS

Parents who believe their children may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals complete a FARM application. Applications can be acquired from the school or online. Only one application is needed per family, a new application is required every school year. Foster children and children experiencing homelessness are categorically eligible for free meal benefits.

Free breakfast and lunch will be provided to all students attending a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school; families of students attending these CEP schools do not need to complete an application:

Food Distribution

ALIVE! Weekend Food Distribution

  • 5-day supply of fresh produce, meat, eggs, bread, and staple food distribution. No registration needed. Distributions are for Alexandria Residents and proof of residency may be requested.
  • 703.837.9321 for general information
  • Dates may change, see most recent schedule at alive-inc.org/food-program-in-alexandria-virginia
  • Last Sat of month, Jan-Oct, 8:30 -11:30am
  • 3rd Sat of month, Nov-Dec, 8:30 -11:30am

Drive-through:

  • Cora Kelly Elementary School (3600 Commonwealth Ave)
  • NVCC Alexandria Campus (parking lot B-1 via 5000 Dawes Ave)

Walk-up:

  • Cora Kelly Elementary School (3600 Commonwealth Ave)
  • William Ramsay Recreation Center (5650 Sanger Ave)

ALIVE! FOOD HUBS

Offers residents of the City of Alexandria food for their family, personal hygiene items, cleaning supplies, school supplies, connections to information other about services. People can choose what items they would like to take from the food hub, generally meat, produce, dairy, eggs, fresh bread, and shelf stable pantry items are stocked regularly.

  • 703.549.3692
  • alive-inc.org/food-program-in-alexandria-virginia
  • 510-F South Van Dorn Street
    Tuesdays 11am – 6pm (Closed 2pm – 3pm)
    Wednesdays 11am – 6pm (Closed 2pm – 3pm)
    Thursdays 11am – 6pm (Closed 2pm – 3pm)
    Saturdays 10am – 2pm
  • 2601 Mt Vernon Ave
    Tuesdays 11am – 6pm (Closed 2pm – 3pm)
    Wednesdays 11am – 6pm (Closed 2pm – 3pm)
    Thursdays 11am – 6pm (Closed 2pm – 3pm)
    Saturdays 10am – 2pm

ALIVE! FOOD POP-UPS

Provides bags of food to specific neighborhoods and apartment buildings, in collaboration with our community partners, in the parking lot at each pop-up location. Drive-through and walk-up service available depending on site.

Dates may change, see most recent schedule at alive-inc.org

  • Ramsay Recreation Center (5650 Sanger Ave), 2nd Thursday of the month, 4:30pm-6pm
  • Hammond Middle School (4646 Seminary Rd), 3rd Thursday of the month, 4pm-6pm
  • Old Town Community Church (212 S. Washington St), 3rd Friday of the month, 10:30am-12pm
  • Fairlington United Methodist Church (3900 King St), 3rd Saturday of the month, 8am-10am
  • UNCUT Youth (1501 Cameron St), 3rd Saturday of the month, 10am-12pm

HISTORIC CHRIST CHURCH LAZARUS FOOD PANTRY

Provides perishable and non-perishable food (and toiletries once a month). Requires sign-in by name, bring a bag if you can.

CCDA ST. LUCY FOOD PANTRY AT CHRIST HOUSE

Provides perishable and non-perishable foods, including fresh produce, dairy, meat, and traditional staples such as cereal, canned vegetables, rice, and beans. Clients are eligible to receive food once per month. Bring photo ID, proof of address & dependents’ identification.

GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH FOOD PANTRY

Provides food staples to low-income families and individuals.

WEST END FOOD PANTRY

Provides perishable and non-perishable foods, receive a prepared amount of food, specific to family size.

FIRST AGAPE BAPTIST COMMUNITY OF FAITH

Seasonal food distribution open to all, bring a bag.

  • 703.519.9100
  • 2423 Mt Vernon Ave
  • 2nd Friday each month, 11am-1pm

FREE LITTLE PANTRY

Grassroots crowdsourced mini pantry for immediate and local need. Always open to take or leave food.

  • mapping.littlefreepantry.org
  • Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St
  • William Ramsay Recreation Center, 5650 Sanger Ave
  • Dale Street Community Garden, 65 Dale St
  • Alexandria Country Day School, 2500 Russell Rd (in front of the soccer field)
  • St. Rita’s Catholic Church, 3704 Mt Vernon Ave (rear corner of parking lot)
  • Woodlawn Elementary, 8505 Highland Ln
  • Duke Street, 2647 Duke St
  • Chirilagua, 3907 Bruce St
  • Girl Scout Troop 1444, 6120 N. Kings Hwy

Prepared Meals

CHRIST HOUSE EVENING MEAL

Evening meal for homeless and low-income individuals; dinners are to-go meals and can be picked up every night, in all weather conditions. Guests must arrive by 5:30 p.m. to be assured of receiving a meal, guests who arrive after 5:30 p.m. will receive a meal only if there are leftovers.

MEADE MEMORIAL EPISCOPAL CHURCH FOOD PROGRAMS

All food programs take place between 11:30-12:30. No ID required.

  • 703.549.1334
  • meadechurch.org
  • 322 N Alfred St
  • Bag Lunch Program, Mon-Fri, 11:30am-12:30pm
  • Saturday Hot Meal Program, Sat (Oct-April), 12:30pm-1:30pm      

OPEN TABLE

Shared breakfast ministry, breakfast open to all.

Food Delivery

ALIVE! HOME DELIVERY FOOD PROGRAM

3-day supply of groceries delivered once a month to older adults, people with disabilities, or single parents with young children who are homebound. Resident must be home at the time of the delivery. Referrals taken from local social service agencies and ALIVE! congregations. Self-referrals can be made one-time.

MEALS ON WHEELS

Administered by Divisions of Aging & Adult Services and Senior Services of Alexandria. Provides meals to Alexandria seniors who are unable to leave their homes to shop or have difficulty preparing a meal. Two healthy meals a day delivered to their homes, $12 a day.

SENIOR SERVICES OF ALEXANDRIA GROCERIES TO GO

Screened volunteers deliver groceries based off the grocery recipient’s personal shopping list. There are no delivery fees, and no minimum order requirements. To be eligible, you must be a resident of the City of Alexandria, be at least 60 years old, and have a debit, credit, or EBT card.

MOTHER OF LIGHT CENTER

Deliver food, clothing, and household items to those in need.

Other

HUNGER FREE ALEXANDRIA

Community-based coalition of food providers, faith-based communities, schools, social service organizations, and advocates for ending hunger, web page lists various types of food providers.