The community around the Washington, D.C. area is in great need of support from Washingtonians as the holidays approach, and the local food banks are still recovering from the strain put on them by the government shutdown!
If you want to provide some much-needed support for these essential community support programs, here are several great programs that would appreciate your support:
1. Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB)
data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DQXeImYijHP/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
The Capital Area Food Bank was a crucial safeguard against food insecurity for Federal Employees impacted during the government shutdown and has also been one of the most consistent support systems for those in need of additional support throughout the year.
Whether you are hoping to make a monetary donation, donate food items, or volunteer, the CAFB is greatly in need of all the support it can get.
For monetary donations, just $1 is equal to two meals that will go to someone in need.
For food donations, preferred items right now are:
- Plant Proteins
- Canned Animal Proteins (tuna, salmon, or chicken)
- Grains (brown/white rice, pasta, whole oats, corn & flour tortillas)
- Peanut Butter
- Pantry Staples (cooking oils, tea, non-dairy/shelf-stable milks)
- Canned Vegetables
- Canned Fruits
- Whole Grain Hot & Cold Cereals
- Non-Salt Spices (black pepper, cinnamon, garlic powder, etc.)
For volunteering, you can register on the CAFB’s website and start making an impact in no time!
2. DC Central Kitchen
data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DRSGmIIjSZy/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
D.C. Central Kitchen is one of the District’s top distributors of quality meals to those facing food insecurity.
Their efforts include providing healthy school lunches for at-risk youth, offering culinary job training to provide useful career skills, and, of course, ensuring that no families around D.C. struggle to put food on the table during the holidays.
While food donations are not currently needed, there is an urgent demand for volunteers to support the program’s various projects!
Those seeking to help others this holiday season can quickly register on the DC Central Kitchen website.
If you aren’t able to volunteer, you can still make a monetary donation that will ensure the D.C. Central Kitchen’s mission isn’t impeded by resource restraints.
3. Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC)
data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DE5H06ANw0D/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
Despite being a resource exclusively for Arlington residents facing food insecurity, AFAC distributes over 92,00 pounds of food to provide meals to over 4,000 families in the DMV area every week!
The program often encourages individuals to register and execute their own food drives, after which the drive’s organizers can opt to deliver the food to AFAC themselves or request an AFAC driver to pick up the collected food items.
Those without the bandwidth to organize their own food drive can opt to make a monetary donation that is just as impactful.
And finally, while the program is not currently seeking additional volunteers, those interested in contributing their time in the future can apply on the AFAC website.
4. So What Else
data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DFJhglgR7I1/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
With branches in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Montgomery County, ‘So What Else’ is a food rescue bank that supports thousands of families in the DMV area and beyond.
Those interested in making donations, whether they be food or toys, can submit a donation form on the So What Else website.
Those seeking to make a monetary donation can do so online, via Cash App, PayPal, or even via Apple/Google Pay.
Those interested in volunteering can apply on the program’s website; areas in need of volunteers include:
- Food recovery
- Teaching
- Event support
- … and more
5. Edlavitch DC’s December 25 Day of Service
data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPo1Re_DjQ2/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
The Edlavitch D.C. Jewish Community Center of Washington, D.C. is hosting a major volunteer event on Christmas Day this year!
The event, which will undoubtedly require a large number of volunteers to go off without a hitch!
Volunteer roles that include donating blood, preparing meals at home (or at a social service agency’s kitchen), serving meals, and more.
6. So Others Might Eat (SOME)
data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DQcvjKyDQfw/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
If you are a participant in the District’s annual Trot for Hunger, you’ve already provided some aid to the SOME cause!
For those who want to go a step beyond participating in the race for charity this Thanksgiving, SOME welcomes direct monetary donations on its website with the end goal of breaking the cycle of poverty and homelessness around the District.
The program does have a donation drop-off location in the District at 71 O Street, NW (you can find its hours on the SOME website); donations are focused on four core categories:
- Food
- Clothing (warm items during the winter)
- Hygiene items
- Household Items
7. Martha’s Table
data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DRDX_rCjWk3/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
On December 2nd, Martha’s Table is hosting a special Giving Tuesday event to raise funds ahead of the holidays with a core focus on providing healthy food, quality education, emotional wellness programming, and family resources to those in need in the Washington, D.C. area!
Aside from monetary donations, which can be made directly on the Martha’s Table website, Washingtonians interested in volunteering this holiday season can register online and select specific opportunities that best fit their schedule or capabilities.