Due to the ongoing government shutdown, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will run out of money on Dec. 1, leaving SNAP benefits in flux for the foreseeable future. More than 40 million Americans rely on SNAP benefits to pay for their groceries, and many families are now struggling to figure out how to feed themselves without the program.
Many families have turned to food banks to get them through the government shutdown. Whether you rely on SNAP or want to financially help people who do, these local food banks are worth looking into.
Washington, D.C.
Bread for the City
1525 7th St., NW Washington, D.C. 20001
1700 Marion Barry Ave. SE, Washington, D.C. 20020
Capital Area Food Bank
4900 Puerto Rico Ave., NE Washington, D.C. 20017
DC Central Kitchen
2121 First St. SW, Washington, D.C. 20024
Martha’s Table
2375 Elvans Road SE, Washington, D.C. 20020
Miriam’s Kitchen
2401 Virginia Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20037
NW Community Food
4340 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
So Others Might Eat (SOME)
71 O Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
Woodley House Food Pantry
2711 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
woodleyhouse.org/what-we-do/#food-pantry
For more Washington, D.C. resources, visit dcfoodproject.org/emergency-food-access
Montgomery County, MD
Bethesda Help
Serving the Montgomery County area
Bmore Community Fridge Network
Locations throughout Maryland
instagram.com/bmorecommunityfridgenetwork
Manna Food Center
9311 Gaither Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Maryland Food Bank
Locations throughout Maryland
Currently providing free groceries to federal employees affected by the government shutdown
Nourish Now
397 East Gude Dr., Rockville, MD 20850
Small Things Matter
14516 Bauer Dr., Rockville, MD 20853
So What Else
Locations in Baltimore, Montgomery County and Washington, D.C.
sowhatelse.org/food-rescue-bank/
St. Stephen Food Pantry
12701 Veirs Mill Road, Rockville, 20853
facebook.com/StStephenfoodpantry
Y Fresh Mart
Locations throughout Maryland
ymaryland.org/mission/aboutus/accesshealthyfood
For more Montgomery County resources, visit mocofoodcouncil.org/map/
Northern Virginia
Arlington Food Assistance Center
2708 S. Nelson St., Arlington, VA 22206
Capital Area Food Bank
6833 Hill Park Dr., Lorton, VA 22079
Cornerstones Pantry Program
11484 Washington Plaza West #120, Reston, VA 20190
cornerstonesva.org/services/food-financial-or-urgent-assistance/foods-and-basic-needs/
Food for Neighbors
Locations throughout Northern Virginia
Food for Others
2938 Prosperity Ave., Fairfax, VA 22031
Neighborhood locations throughout Northern Virginia
foodforothers.org/get-help/neighborhood-sites/
Healthy Harvest Food Bank
55 Commerce Pkwy, Warsaw, VA 22572
Hunger Resource Center at Northern Virginia Family Services
10058 Dean Dr., Manassas, VA 20110
nvfs.org/our-services/health-well-being/food-assistance/
Loudoun Hunger Relief
750 Miller Dr. #110, Leesburg, VA 20175
Nighthawk Nest Food Pantry
Locations on each Northern Virginia Community College campus
nvcc.edu/student-resources/financial-education/pantry.html
WoodbridgeNaz Food Pantry
14001 Smoketown Road, Woodbridge, VA 22192
For more Northern Virginia food banks, visit vafoodbanks.org/find-food/
What do food banks need?
If you’re looking to contribute to your local food bank, consider donating these in-demand items.
- Money—this may seem obvious, but many food banks receive discounts from local stores. Monetary donations also ensure that they can buy specific food items they need.
- Canned proteins (beans, chicken, tuna, etc.)
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta and pasta sauce
- Herbs and spices
- Rice
- Peanut butter
- Shelf-stable milk
- Baby food and formula
- Applesauce
- Tea and coffee
- Basic cooking ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, etc.)
- Feminine hygiene supplies
- Shampoo, conditioner and body wash
- Toiletries (toothbrushes, toothpaste, hairbrushes, etc.)
- Pet food (pets need to eat, too!)
