AFAC Policies for Clients

The Arlington Food Assistance Center provides supplemental food assistance to Arlington County residents. We are here to help you meet your food needs.

While our offerings are limited, we provide you with the largest quantity and widest variety of foods possible. Most of the food you receive is donated to us by individuals, congregations, schools, businesses and other organizations in Arlington County and is distributed to you by our many dedicated volunteers. To assure freshness we purchase milk, eggs and chicken on a weekly basis to distribute.

While we receive some funding from Arlington County we are a private non- profit organization dedicated to serving the needy residents of our County. We are able to help you because of the generosity of the Arlington Community and with the help of many very dedicated volunteers. We ask that you remember this when you come to receive food.

Referrals

To receive food from AFAC you must be a resident of Arlington County and must be able to provide proof of residency in the form of a license or other legal identification or have a lease or bill with your name on it and an Arlington Address. If you cannot show identification, you can not be served.

We will serve any Arlington resident on a one-time basis.

To receive food on an on-going basis you need to have a referral from a social service agency, school or church. You can get a referral from the Arlington County Crisis Assistance Bureau by calling (703) 228-1350 or by going to their office at 2100 Washington Blvd., 3rd floor, Arlington, VA.

Clients with referrals are served once a week and must come to the site noted on their referral form.

Disabled Client Service

If you have a disability, AFAC volunteers or staff can help you to carry your food to your vehicle. Please have your social worker notify us if you need additional help while you are here.

Respect for other Clients and Volunteers and Staff

We are here to help you. In exchange, we ask that you respect our other clients and our volunteers. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. If you are disruptive, you will not be served, and you will be asked to leave the premises immediately. Any repeat of such behavior can result in the denial of future service. Any client under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs will not be served. We may call the Arlington Police Department, and charges may be filed. Your social worker will be contacted and informed of the nature of the incident.

Distribution Procedures

When you arrive, please line up at the door; you will be given a number when you enter the building. Numbers will be given out in the order in which clients are lined up at opening. You cannot reserve a space in line. Once you receive a number, please write your name on the back of the card to help our desk worker locate your file in our database. If your referral is in order you will be cleared to receive food. Once you have received food, we ask that you leave the building to make room for the clients behind you.

Unauthorized removal of food from AFAC is theft, and it will be considered shoplifting.

Due to our limited resources we cannot allow substitutions for food items.

Picking up for other Clients

At times when a client cannot pickup their food a friend or relative may pickup their food for them. If you are picking up food for another client you may be required to show an ID or note from the client. You may only pick up for ONE other client. If the clients’ referral has expired or they are not on the list for any reason, you may not pick up for that client.

Distribution Days and Times

AFAC distributes food at the following times and locations:

AFAC
2708 S. Nelson St.
Monday – Friday: 10 AM.-Noon
Thursday Evening: 7-8 PM
Saturday Morning: 9:00-11:00 AM

Gunston Community Center
2700 S. Lang Street
Thursday Evening: 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Clarendon United Methodist Church
606 North Irving Street
Saturday Morning 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Closures

AFAC is closed on most National Holidays. During bad weather AFAC will be closed when the Arlington County Public Schools are closed. Saturday clients should call ahead to see if there will be a distribution in case of bad weather conditions. If you are unsure please call AFAC at 703 . 845 . 8486.

Non-discrimination

The Arlington Food Assistance Center does not discriminate in terms of race, religion, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, first language, gender or disability. We proudly serve the diverse Arlington community.