Capital Area Food Bank

Food insecurity is a growing challenge for college students, impacting their ability to unlock their academic potential. At the 2024 Regional College Hunger Conference, we joined Northern Virginia Community College, Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area and higher education leaders from across the DMV to share insights and explore strategies to address this critical issue. Meeting the basic needs of students helps them to complete their degrees. The impact goes beyond individual students and campuses — it strengthens the economic vitality of the whole region. When students can graduate and enter the workforce, everyone benefits. That's why we have partnered with five campuses in our region on initiatives to support students, such as providing gift cards to grocery stores so students can better access the food they need at convenient locations. One of the participants in those programs, Daysi Oscategui, shared with attendees how that program has been "a lifeline" for her and her children as she's worked to complete her degree. By collaborating, we can help ensure that every student has access to the nutritious food they need to thrive.

A new addition to the CAFB team is joining us next month: we're delighted that Abby Fenton will be coming on board as the food bank's chief advancement officer! https://lnkd.in/eqPZbtPr

For too many students, the road to a college degree is anything but easy. Daysi Oscategui, a single mother of three, has faced countless challenges along her educational path. One thing that’s made a difference? The grocery store gift cards she receives through one of our Food+Education programs, helping her feed her family while focusing on her studies. By meeting basic needs like food, we’re empowering students to focus on what matters most: their education and future success. 🎓⭐ Read more about Daysi’s inspiring journey https://lnkd.in/eYYQ_v2n

Good food today is essential for brighter futures tomorrow. We were honored to have Admiral Rachel Levine, Assistant Secretary for Health, speak with our President & CEO, Radha Muthiah, on how our healthcare pilot programs are helping patients manage chronic health conditions through access to nutritious food. We applaud the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for launching their new #FoodIsMedicine webpage and toolkit, which brings together valuable resources for collaboration and best practices. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gT7nAKq4 https://lnkd.in/gytDxWN6

This month marks the 3rd anniversary of our partnership with Children's National Hospital on our food pharmacy! What began at the main hospital's Diabetes Care Complex has now expanded to the Columbia Heights location, allowing us to support even more families each month. By providing nutritious, dietitian-approved foods, we help patients manage their health conditions and overcome barriers to healthy eating. We’re proud to continue this important work alongside Children’s National and look forward to building on our progress to improve health outcomes in the community. #foodismedicine #foodinsecurity #foodbank #nutrition

As we wrap up our #HispanicHeritageMonth series, we’re proud to highlight one of our partners in Prince George’s County, MD: No Limits Outreach Center. Founded in 2007 by Pastor Oliver and Pamelia Carter, No Limits started by serving just 20 to 30 people a week. Today, they’re serving hundreds, including a growing Hispanic population. One of their clients, Jennifer, recognized the need for Spanish-speaking support and stepped up to become a volunteer. Now, six of their 30 volunteers are Spanish speakers, ensuring that language is never a barrier to receiving help. In fact, nearly all their volunteers were once clients themselves. With support from CAFB capacity grants, No Limits has been able to streamline their services, implementing a texting system that lets clients join the line virtually and reducing wait times. Through partnerships like this, we’re supporting communities with food and vital wraparound services, all while empowering clients to become leaders. https://lnkd.in/gpPn67MG

We’re proud to see our CEO Radha Muthiah and our work in Northern Virginia recognized by NorthernVirginia magazine, and also delighted to celebrate our board members and supporters who appear in this issue as well!

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our newest food pharmacy, in partnership with Unity Health Care and made possible with generous support from The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation! Located at Unity’s East of the River Health Center in D.C.'s Ward 8, this food pharmacy is designed to serve patients—especially older adults managing hypertension, diabetes, and obesity—with the nutritious, medically tailored groceries they need. Patients who screen for food insecurity at the clinic receive a "prescription" for the pharmacy, allowing them to pick up around 40 pounds of food twice a month — free of charge. They receive both shelf-stable foods and fresh produce, focusing on low sugar, high fiber, and nutrient-rich options. These groceries are specifically chosen to support the health of patients who have chronic conditions. This partnership builds upon the food pharmacy model we launched at Children's National Hospital. By working with health care providers, we can help support patients in accessing the nutritious food they need to thrive. Through initiatives like this, we are expanding the impact of Food as Medicine, and we were honored to have Admiral Rachel Levine, MD, Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), join us to highlight the significance of these programs.

We are excited to announce the official opening of our larger, modernized warehouse in Northern Virginia! Built on the site of our previous facility, the Bedford Falls Foundation Northern Virginia Distribution Center offers nearly four times the space of our previous NOVA facility to receive and store food, engage with partners, and — for the first time — to host volunteers. Thank you to the elected officials and other supporters from across the region that joined us, including U.S. Representative Gerry Connolly, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay and members from the Virginia Assembly. This new facility comes at a critical time, with our latest Hunger Report showing that food insecurity is on the rise in Northern Virginia and across the region. The larger space allows us not only to meet the existing demand for food assistance but also the ability to expand our reach as needs change in the future. It strengthens our ability to respond in real-time and source, store, and distribute nutritious, culturally appropriate food—while supporting local Virginia farmers and producers.

Today, we're highlighting another one of our partner organizations to celebrate #HispanicHeritageMonth, the Mother of Light Center in Alexandria, VA! Serving a predominately Hispanic community, this 100% volunteer-run center provides not only food assistance but also programs that nurture those in need. Since partnering with us in 2019, their food pantry has grown to serve over 1,500 families each month, distributing nutritious food both via pickup and delivery. Through our collaboration, we also connect them with local grocery stores like Amazon Fresh to source more food through our Partner Direct program. Beyond addressing immediate food needs, Mother of Light is dedicated to building brighter futures. Their summer 'Read & Shine' literacy program, supported by a grant from CAFB, helped 70 kids and teens strengthen their reading skills and discover the joy of learning. 📚✨ Learn more about how they’re working to uplift the community here: https://lnkd.in/edETSbB9