Coronavirus Increases Hunger: Find A Food Bank In Arlington

ARLINGTON, VA — When you look around Arlington, it’s easy to see the effects the coronavirus has had on our way of life. What’s less visible is the number of people who are now worrying about having enough to eat.

Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief organization, says coronavirus-related economic crises could push the number of food insecure Americans to 54 million by year’s end. That’s 17 million more Americans than who were food insecure before the pandemic. For some, it’s a matter of running short on grocery money before the week is out and eating a lot of boxed pasta and rice dishes.

For others, food insecurity means real hunger.

In Arlington, about 15,570 were considered food insecure before the pandemic, according to Feeding America’s “Map the Meal Gap” interactive study.

Job loss and other economic crises associated with the coronavirus could push the rate of food insecurity in Arlington to 11.7 percent by the end of the year.

Feeding America, whose 200 member food banks include the Capitol Area Food Bank in Washington, D.C., reports both higher demand for services and more need for volunteer and donor support.

Some of food pantries and other services available in Arlington are:

• Food Pantry by Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC), 2708 S Nelson St., Arlington, VA 22206; 703-845-8486
• Food Pantry by Our Lady Queen of Peace, 2700 19th Street South, Arlington, VA 22204;
• Food for Others - Neighborhood Food Distribution Sites by Food For Others, Inc., South Dickerson Street, Arlington, VA 22204; 703-207-9173
• Emergency Food Pantry by The Salvation Army Arlington Corps, 518 South Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22204
• Emergency Food, Food Pantry by Community Church of God, 790 South Carlin Springs Road, Falls Church, VA 22204; 703-671-6726
• Mobile Food Pantry by ICNA Relief - Virginia, 2116 South Nelson Street, Arlington, VA 22204; 917-943-8361
• Food Pantry by St. Georges Episcopal Church, 915 North Oakland Street, Arlington, VA 22203
• Emergency Assistance (EMAST) by Salvation Army National Capital Area Command, 518 South Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22204; 703-979-3380
• Food Pantry by Catholic Charities Diocese of Arlington, 703-841-3830
• Community Assistance by Mount Olivet United Methodist Church, 1500 North Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22207; 703-527-3934

RELATED: Millions Made Hungry During Pandemic Could Include Your Neighbor

Food insecurity is often thought of as a “poor people’s problem,” but not all people living in poverty are food insecure, and not all food insecure people live in poverty. Food insecurity is a complex issue sandwiched in with other systemic challenges, including poverty, low wages, affordable housing shortages, chronic and acute health problems, high medical costs and social isolation.

“Our members are reporting that many of the people they’re serving have never sought food assistance before,” Kathryn Strickland, Feeding America’s chief network officer, told Patch. “Some people are reporting that people who formerly donated to food banks are now seeking assistance.”

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.