Learn More About
Hunger in Northern Virginia
Yes. Although the area is considered to be one of the wealthiest jurisdictions in the country, it still faces a poverty rate of 6 percent. This means, based on U.S. Census figures, that more than 70,000 people in Northern Virginia are living in poverty and 30 percent are children.
Food for Others is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) food bank and food rescue organization, working to help those in Northern Virginia who are food insecure.
We are a part of Northern Virginia’s safety net for those who need food when an emergency strikes, and for the growing number of working poor who are unable to make ends meet and need to supplement their inadequate food supplies.
Food insecurity occurs when individuals or families are so limited in their resources that they are unable to obtain enough food to live a healthy life. These individuals and families may be running out of food, reducing the quality of their food, cutting out meat, feeding their children unbalanced meals, or skipping meals so that their children can eat.
Food for Others obtains much of its food through food rescue operations and food drives. Staff and volunteers pick up good food that would have been thrown away— due to overstocking or an upcoming “sell date” on the product— from local grocery stores and other retail food establishments. The food is then brought to our warehouse for temporary storage including refrigeration as appropriate. Food drives provide the majority of our non-perishable food.
In great part by people like you! Food for Others is a nonprofit that relies on contributions. Individuals, faith-based organizations, corporations, foundations, and Fairfax County all contribute to the work of Food for Others. Donations to Food for Others are always a great investment in our community.
We get it all done with an enormous amount of help from our dedicated volunteers, concerned citizens, and a small but efficient staff. We simply could not operate without the help of our volunteers. Last year hundreds of volunteers donated nearly 34,000 hours of their time to Food for Others.
Visit the websites below for information about poverty rates in Fairfax County, as well as nationally:
Poverty in Fairfax County 2020