As the government shutdown continues, federal workers are continuing to go without paychecks, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that it will not issue SNAP benefits starting November 1.
Virginia State Benefits
Gov. Glenn Youngkin has declared a state of emergency so that Virginia can provide hunger relief while SNAP is lapsed. These benefits, called Virginia Emergency Assistance (VENA), will be issues to SNAP recipients in weekly increments. The amounts will be comparable to what they receive from the federal SNAP benefits, Youngkin said in a news release.
VENA funds will be issues at least through November. Virginia will also provide an additional $1 million of state funds to Virginia food banks “to offset any temporary disruption as VENA launches at the beginning of November.”
Food Banks Step Up
During these changes, food banks and pantries are gearing up for increased demand. Some, like the Capital Area Food Bank, have expanded services to provide resources to federal employees.
These food banks, food pantries, and soup kitchens in Northern Virginia are offering help. And many of these organizations accept monetary or food donations; availability, eligibility, and accepted donations vary by organization.
Region-Wide Services
Capital Area Food Bank
6833 Hill Park Dr., Lorton; find help at this online map
Food for Others
2938 Prosperity Ave., Fairfax; find help at this online map
Northern Virginia Family Service
10056 Dean Dr., Manassas
Northern Virginia Food Rescue
10535 Battleview Pkwy., Manassas; find resources here
World Central Kitchen
200 M St. SE, Washington, DC
Arlington County
Arlington Food Assistance Center
2708 S. Nelson St., Arlington
Corrine’s Kitchen, Arlington Assembly of God
4501 N. Pershing Dr., Arlington
City of Alexandria
ICNA Relief in Alexandria
2912 Woodlawn Trail, Alexandria
United Community Programs
8350 Richmond Hwy., Ste. 527, Alexandria
Fairfax County and City of Falls Church
America’s Soup Kitchen
42622 Suny Bay Ct., Chantilly
Columbia Church Food Pantry
3245 Glen Carlyn Rd., Falls Church
Community of Faith UMC
13224 Franklin Farm Rd., Herndon
Cornerstones
11150 Sunset Hills Rd., Ste. 210, Reston
Ecumenical Community Helping Others
7205 Old Keene Mill Rd., Springfield
The Food Corner at Sydenstricker United Methodist Church
8508 Hooes Rd., Springfield
Lorton Community Action Center
9506 Richmond Hwy., Lorton
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries
4511 Daly Dr., Ste. J, Chantilly
Loudoun County
BetterALife Inc.
201 N. Maple Ave., Unit F, Purcellville
Dulles South Food Pantry
24757 Arcola Mills Dr., Dulles
Food Pantry at New Jerusalem Lutheran Church
12942 Lutheran Church Rd., Lovettsville
Food Pantry at Round Hill United Methodist Church
11 W. Loudoun St., Round Hill
LINK Against Hunger
Multiple area locations/mobile services
Loudoun Hunger Relief
750 Miller Dr., Ste. 110, Leesburg
Seven Loaves Services, Inc.
15 W. Washington St., Middleburg
Tree of Life Ministries
115 E. Main St., Purcellville
Prince William County
Food Pantry Manassas
9325 West St., Manassas
Food Pantry at St. Thomas UMC
8899 Sudley Rd., Manassas
Grace Church
17100 Van Buren Rd., Dumfries
Haymarket Regional Food Pantry
7669 Limestone Dr., Ste. 105, Gainesville
House of Mercy
8170 Flannery Ct., Manassas
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
12975 Purcell Rd., Manassas
Woodbridge Church of the Nazarene
14001 Smoketown Rd., Woodbridge
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
