April Volunteer Newsletter

Let’s Celebrate!

Every aspect of our work depends on a committed group of volunteers willing to put their values into action. From bagging and sorting food donations, distributing groceries to Alexandrians in need, or delivering furniture, volunteers are at the core of every ALIVE! program.
That’s why we are planning a celebration during National Volunteer Recognition Week for our ALIVE! volunteer teams at Port City Brewing, one of our long-time supporters.

Date: Friday, April 21st
Time: 4pm-7pm
Location: Port City Brewing (3950 Wheeler Ave Alexandria, VA 22304)
This event will include light snacks provided by ALIVE!, a cash bar featuring Port City’s craft beers, and a celebration of our collective efforts!

RSVP by signing up through ALIVE!’s volunteer scheduling tool

Grand Opening Ceremony for ALIVE!’s New Food Hub

ALIVE! is excited to announce the Grand Opening of our second Food Hub on April 12th at 2601 Mount Vernon Ave. This new ALIVE! Food Hub is across from Mt. Vernon Community School and will offer residents of the City of Alexandria: food, personal items, cleaning supplies, school supplies, community, and information about other support services.

All are welcome to help us celebrate and join ALIVE!’s board members, Alexandria City Mayor Justin Wilson, and faith leaders for the ceremonial ribbon cutting.

Food Hub Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
April 12th 8:00am – 9:00am
2601 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301

Opening these Food Hubs will not mean the end of ALIVE!’s traditional methods of distribution. To reach as many food insecure Alexandrians as we can, our monthly food distributions events around Alexandria will continue, as will select neighborhood pop-ups and provision of food to various food pantries.

Weekly volunteer shifts for this new location are online, so if you’d like to assist Alexandrians in need at the new Food Hub sign up today.

Help out at the ALIVE! Food Hubs

Thank you to Girl Scout Troop 60132 for volunteering at ALIVE!’s West End Food Hub! In addition to learning about food insecurity in the city of Alexandria these volunteers delivered birthday boxes (cake mix, frosting, candles, a small toy packed with a card and instructions in a baking pan) for our neighbors in need.

We are looking for help on an ongoing basis at the ALIVE! Food Hub helping clients navigate the grocery selection process. If you haven’t been to the Food Hub this is a great opportunity to see the beautiful new space and assist with our new food choice method of distribution.

Mark Your Calendar for Spring2ACtion- April 26th

During this annual day of giving, our community comes together to support all the amazing non-profit organizations working to improve the lives of our neighbors in need. This year, Spring2ACTion will take place on April 26th with early online giving starting on April 12th.

Everyone at ALIVE! is grateful to our Alexandria community for its support in helping us adapt services and expand our operating scale to meet increased calls for help. Your support remains important today and sustains our ability to be a safety net for Alexandrians.

ALIVE! is proud to have helped in the following ways:
1. Distributed more than 3 million pounds of food since the pandemic (compared to pre-pandemic yearly average of 350,000 pounds of food)
2. Provided shelter, virtual learning, and childcare to ALIVE! House residents
3. Supported 1,500 households with financial and rental assistance
4. Launched the Alexandria Eviction Prevention Partnership to deliver over $500,000 of direct rent relief to Alexandrian residents
5. Reopened our Housewares and Furniture Programs

We’ve seen how the need for food, rental assistance, and other basic needs continues to be at high levels in Alexandria. Your donation will support all that ALIVE! does to meet the needs of the community.

Join ALIVE!’s Last Saturday Food Distribution Events- April 29th

Thank you to the Theta Rho Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc and all of the volunteers who helped to distribute food during the March Last Saturday Food Distributions

We are looking for volunteers to lend a hand for the April 29th event, so make sure to sign up to reserve your shift and help us support our Alexandria neighbors in need.

Our greatest needs are: