Congregational Connection

Spring2ACTion Will Be Here Soon

2023 Spring2ACTion is scheduled for April 26 with early giving starting on April 12. This annual day of giving is when Alexandrians come together to support local organizations through ACT for Alexandria. Last year, because of your incredible support we exceeded our goal and raised more than $95,000.

In addition to encouraging donations on ALIVE!’s behalf, ALIVE! will challenge our Board members and Congregational Reps to expand our outreach by becoming Free Agent Fundraisers at Spring2ACTion.

What is a Free Agent Fundraiser?
A Free Agent Fundraiser (FAF) raises funds on behalf of ALIVE! at Spring2ACTion. As a FAF, you create your own fundraising page as a spinoff of ALIVE!’s Spring2ACTion profile. Tell your friends and family why you support our work and raise money for ALIVE!. Whatever funds you raise are automatically added towards ALIVE!’s overall fundraising goal.

Setup instructions, Fundraiser Guide, and Fundraising Toolkit are coming soon. Staff will also be available to help if you have questions.

See more at: https://www.spring2action.org/organizations/alive4alexandria
 

 

Spring Cleaning? Donate Housewares

Are you planning some Spring cleaning? ALIVE!’s Housewares program is looking to connect Alexandria families in need with basic items. Donations must be new or in good condition.
Donations can be dropped off at the Sunrise Senior Living of Old Town front desk (400 N. Washington Street) daily from 10am to 3pm. Alternatively, contact ALIVE! with a description of the items you wish to donate and to schedule a time to drop them off at Fairlington United Methodist Church (3900 King Street).
 

 

Food Drives for ALIVE!

Thank you to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church for organizing a cereal drive! The need for donations of food is high due to the recent rollback of SNAP benefits. If your congregation would like to set up a food drive it’s as easy as 1-2-3:

1. Decide on your dates and what type of activity you want to do.

2. Contact ALIVE! for help. We will:
a. Send you Most Wanted Food flyers.
b. Provide collection bins and signage.
c. Arrange for pick-up or delivery of donated food.

3. Spread the word throughout your community

You can drop off donations at the ALIVE! Warehouse (801 South Payne Street) Monday-Friday, 9:00am – 4:00pm (Thursday 9am-7pm), and Saturday hours 9:00am – 12:00pm. To arrange for ALIVE! to pick-up donations send an email to fdcoordinator1@alive-inc.org

Most Needed Foods:
Canned meat and fish (chili, chicken, tuna, salmon, beef ravioli, etc.)
Canned fruits, vegetables, soup, beans
Cereal (including Oatmeal)
Peanut butter and Jam/Jelly
Pasta (spaghetti, other noodles, mac & cheese, etc.)
Rice
Dried beans, lentils
“Kid-friendly” single-serve, microwavable entrees (soup, ravioli, mac &
cheese, etc.)
Spaghetti/Pasta sauce and canned tomatoes (sauce, diced, etc.)
“Complete” Pancake Mix (just add water) & Syrup
Cooking oil (vegetable, canola, etc.)

 

 

ALIVE!’s Food Distribution Schedule

ALIVE! distributes free bags of groceries (produce, chicken, eggs, bread) at three locations one Saturday per month. Please bring reusable bags to food distribution events so that ALIVE! can recycle them for future events. All reusable bags are accepted. ALIVE! food distributions are for City of Alexandria residents. No ID is required, but some survey information will be requested.

Click here for a PDF of the full April Food Distribution Schedule

Saturday, March 25 from 8:30am – 10:30am
Drive-through:
Cora Kelly Elementary School (3600 Commonwealth Ave)
NVCC Alexandria Campus (parking lot B-1 via 5000 Dawes Ave)- No walk up distribution available.

Walk-up:
Cora Kelly Elementary School (3600 Commonwealth Ave)
William Ramsay Rec Center (5650 Sanger Ave)

Saturday, April 28 from 8:30am – 10:30am
Drive-through:
Cora Kelly Elementary School (3600 Commonwealth Ave)
NVCC Alexandria Campus (parking lot B-1 via 5000 Dawes Ave)- No walk up distribution available.

Walk-up:
Cora Kelly Elementary School (3600 Commonwealth Ave)
William Ramsay Rec Center (5650 Sanger Ave)

Pop-Up Food Distributions Events
ALIVE! 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. ALIVE! food distributions are for City of Alexandria residents. No ID is required, but some survey information will be requested.

Thursday, April 13 from 4:30pm – 6:00pm
Ramsay Rec Center (5650 Sanger Ave)

Saturday, April 15 from 8:00am – 10:00am
Fairlington United Methodist Church (3900 King St)

Saturday, April 15 from 10:00am – Noon
UNCUT Youth (1501 Cameron St)

Friday, April 21 from 10:30am – Noon
Old Town Community Church (212 S. Washington St)

ALIVE! Food Hub
The ALIVE! Food Hub offers residents of the City of Alexandria free food, personal items, cleaning supplies, school supplies, and connections to information about other services. No ID is required, but some survey information will be requested.

Located at:
510-F South Van Dorn Street

Food Hub Hours:
Tuesdays 11:00am – 6:00pm
Wednesdays 11:00am – 6:00pm
Thursdays 11:00am – 6:00pm
Saturdays 10:00am – 2:00pm

 

 

Alexandria Expungement Clinic

Inaccuracies on criminal records can present challenges to accessing employment, housing, and other important opportunities. On March 25, there will be an expungement clinic for people seeking assistance eliminating prior offenses from their records.

This event will be held at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center (5000 Seminary Rd) from 10am to 1pm and is free to attend. Please register by contacting the Alexandria Bar Association at alexbar@alexandriabarva.org

To learn more about Expungements in Alexandria visit: https://www.alexandriava.gov/ClerkofCourt

Free Community Health Fair

Join Hearts of Love and Alexandria Celebrates Women for a Health Fair with Free Health Screenings and Preventive Services, Community Resources, and Fun Activities! There will be  resources and information on getting free medical care for those without medical insurance.

Saturday, March 25
10am to 3pm
Chick Armstrong Rec Center (25 West Reed Ave)
Join for a day filled with free health screenings, preventive services, community resources, and fun activities!

Alexandria West Plan Community Meeting

Monday, March 27
6:30pm – Informational Open House
7:00pm – Community Meeting
Community discussion of housing affordability, transportation, and overall community feedback. Food, childcare and language interpretation will be available
Location: This is a hybrid meeting.
In-Person at Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School (1701 N Beauregard St)
Zoom (Register Below)

For more information and to RSVP for the virtual or in-person meeting visit: https://www.alexandriava.gov/AlexandriaWest

Alexandria City Boards and Commissions- Application Deadline

Do you know someone who is interested in shaping local policy and making recommendations to the Alexandria City Council? If so, please encourage them to submit their application to fill a Board or Commission vacancies before the March 31st deadline.

The City Council will act on these vacancies at the April 11. See more at: www.alexandriava.gov/Boards

Free Tax Preparation Services
The City of Alexandria is offering free tax return preparation services to eligible residents. No appointment is necessary. Services will be offered on Saturdays, 9am–noon and Wednesdays, 6pm–8pm, February 18 through April 19, at the Department of Community and Human Services (4850 Mark Center Dr). Expert volunteers from Community Tax Aid will help taxpayers with applicable credits/deductions, including tax credits.

For more information, visit alexandriava.gov/go/3188

Support for LGBTQ Youth and Parents

This support group is for Virginia Parents and Caregivers of LGBTQ+ Children and Youth and is free, online, confidential and weekly, starting this Spring.

To view other resources for LGBTQ+ youth, parents, and older adults visit: https://www.alexandriava.gov/LGBTQ